Project Runway: Detroit

I'll have three bracelets on display this weekend at 
Project Runway: Detroit
Lots of fun to be had this weekend at the JCC. This is a beautiful gallery with a countless stunning exhibits throughout the year. Stop in to take a look at this exhibit when you get a chance. Many great artists and emerging fashion designers here this weekend through March 8th. You won't be dissappointed...

Located in the D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building in West Bloomfield, the Janice Charach Gallery hosts exhibitions of Jewish art and works by Jewish artists. Exhibitions include glass, ceramics, multi-media, painting, fiber arts, photography and more. Educational programs also are offered. As a tribute to Janice Charach's relationship with the College for Creative Studies, the Gallery also hosts annual shows in cooperation with CCS. The Gallery is endowed by Natalie & Manny Charach, in their daughter's memory.

Opening reception:
Sunday, January 22, 2012

West Bloomfield

January 9, 2012

JCC fashion project to display new talent

Teens’ ‘upcycled’ designs to be displayed

By Eric Czarnik
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Dana Keaton displays fashion model sketches at her Detroit studio. Keaton has taught 12 teens about the fashion industry at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, and those students will present their own fashion designs at a new exhibit at the Janice Charach Gallery this month. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Dana Keaton displays fashion model sketches at her Detroit studio. Keaton has taught 12 teens about the fashion industry at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield, and those students will present their own fashion designs at a new exhibit at the Janice Charach Gallery this month.

WEST BLOOMFIELD — The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit is clearing the catwalk and making its Janice Charach Gallery more fashionable this month.
Starting Jan. 22, the gallery will host a new exhibit called “Project Runway: Detroit” that will run through March 8.
Gallery Director Terri Stearn said it will display clothing designs from local artists and young fashion students. The exhibit could be the ticket to getting discovered and developing a career in the competitive fashion industry, she said.
“A few of these are emerging fashion designers,” Stearn explained. “A lot of them are really up-and-coming people working in Detroit trying to get discovered. They own T-shirt companies that support them while they work on their thousand-dollar dress.”
Although the art exhibit has no official ties to the “Project Runway” TV show, Stearn predicted that “Project Runway” runner-up Joe Faris of Motor City Denim Co. will contribute to this show, as he did with a past bra exhibit. The exhibit will also show off approximately 400 wooden bracelets that have been decorated by artists, she said.
Stearn said the exhibit idea came from Dana Keaton, a Detroit-based fashion designer of 11 years whose educational background includes fine arts, business management and marketing.
Since October, Keaton has been teaching an ongoing fashion class to students from West Bloomfield and Detroit at the JCC in West Bloomfield. The class of 12 teens has learned about fabrics, sewing and more, she said.
The girls have been busy making dresses and designs for the exhibit’s Jan. 22 opening so that fashion models can wear them on the runway. The students’ projects will be eco-friendly and “upcycled” from used items into wearable garments.
“We have a young lady that is making a dress out of potato chip bags,” Keaton said. “They’re taking old ties and sewing them together to make a garment. … A young lady actually took a bunch of tea bags and is sewing them individually on a skirt.”
Keaton said all of her students want to join the industry in some way, be it as a clothing designer, a wardrobe stylist or a model. But she warns them that it is hard work.
“They are being very creative with this, and I’m always pushing the envelope,” she said. “If (a design) is mediocre, they have to go to the drawing board. I always tell them it has to have a ‘wow’ factor.”
The Janice Charach Gallery, 6600 W. Maple Road, will host the upcoming exhibit, “Project Runway: Detroit,” from Jan. 22-March 8. The exhibit will start with a runway show at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22. To learn more, visit www.jccdet.org or call (248) 432-5448

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Eric Czarnik at eczarnik@candgnews.com

When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!

Have a seat by the fire with a cocktail and your ipad and browse through the pages of my website ArtQwerks

Arts and Greens 2011

Please find me at Arts and Greens 2011, in booth D41, November 18th - 20th!

This is one of my favorite shows...loads of fun and holiday cheer. I'll be signing my illustrated Harp Mouse books with the author Diane Dunn on Saturday 10am - noon, so stop by and see us for some laughter and great gifts for the kiddies!

I'll also have my newest illustrated book How Haitians Play Basketball written by Travis Mushett for Blaze Sports, available for purchase in my booth. There's a limited supply so stop in early to get your copy!

Schedule of the weekend's events:

Friday 5pm-8pm: Preview and Opening Reception Night

• Artist market opens with items from glass, fibers, woodcarving, photography, pottery, handmade dolls, paintings, and much more. All created by Michigan artists. Kick off the holiday season and purchase one of a kind gifts.
• Empty Bowls fundraiser for Community Sharing: for a $10 donation, you can enjoy a light soup and bread supper, and get a handmade bowl
• Luminaries will lightup the evening
• Live performances by area musicians
• Author Wayne Billhart will be signing copies of his book for all ages: The Mystery at the Birdfeeder

Saturday 9am-5pm

• The artist market opens early for all to enjoy
• Enjoy live performances by area musicians throughout the day
• Visit with Michigan author's on hand for book signings
• The Sweet Life Cafe of Milford will be on hand with delectable goodies for sale!
• Enjoy holiday greens building workshops taught Patty owner of the Bogie Lake Greenhouses
• Enjoy children's basket making workshops and hands on felting demonstrations for all ages.

Sunday 10am-5pm

• Last day of the market!
• Enjoy live performances by area musicians throughout the day
• Visit with Michigan author's on hand for book signings
• The Sweet Life Cafe of Milford will be on hand with delectable goodies for sale!
• Enjoy holiday greens building workshops taught Patty owner of the Bogie Lake Greenhouses
• Enjoy children's basket making workshops and hands on felting demonstrations for all ages.

List of Artists Participating HERE

When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!

Have a seat by the fire with a cocktail and your ipad and browse through the pages of my website ArtQwerks

IF ~ Equipment

...as in FARM equipment!

When you purchase an item from MY STORE, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. ...and even if you don't purchase anything from me, you can go to their site and make a donation! They deserve a chance too!

Have a seat in the sun with a sippy and browse through the pages of my website ArtQwerks

IF ~ Muddy

He contemplated the past, but the details were a little muddy...

This illustration is from the soon to be released book "The Enchanted Tree of Crooked Lake" written by Rachel Longhurst (R.A.K. Publishing) and Illustrated by Donna Pellegata (that's me)

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee or glass of wine depending on your preference

and take a long luxurious gander at my website

ArtQwerks

Got Milk?

Alrighty then...I'm going to milk this holiday market until the cows come home and since the only animals living here are horses, dogs, one fish and an occasional mouse in the barn, that's going to be a very long time...at least until the holidays are over. The Holiday Art Market contains an array of many beautiful paintings, fiber art (wearable and to drool overable) and other amazing works from the artists that were exhibiting at the HVCA Arts and Greens the weekend before Thanksgiving. See their new stuff too! They have all come together under one warm and toasty roof at the HVCA Gallery in Highland MI. Come join us on Sunday, December 6th for the official opening of the market and meet the artists, listen to great music and to Heiner Hertling while he reads his illustrated children's book, A Pirates Quest, a delightful, gorgeously illustrated gift for any child (or adult, I bought mine when it first came out last year), watch artists demonstrate their talents and shop while you nosh on snicky snacks. You can peruse the HVCA Art Shop Gallery too while you're there! So come and get started, continue or finish up your holiday shopping here, where you will find fantastic unique and beautifully crafted art gifts for everyone at every age on your list! The HVCA Holiday Art Market is open December 1st through the 24th.

...oh yeah, I'll be there too!

When you purchase an item from my store, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity the donation goes to, will depend on the item purchased and I will love you forever from the bottom of my little black heart. They deserve a chance too.

Grab a cup of coffee and take a long luxurious gander at my website ArtQwerks

ArtRage

This is a little sketch done from Art Rage , a little paint program you might enjoy yourself. I think I've found a new addiction. I actually did this for the week Illustrations Friday's word was "skinny" about two weeks ago and I didn't get around to posting, but hey... there's only so much time in a day. It's that time of year when I need to rearrange the studio so I can get the rest of my work done and find a place to organize all the stuff I drug out to the last show this past weekend. I'll post some pictures of that too, eventually.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

Take a peak at my website here: http://www.donnapellegata.com/

IF~Fast

...that he is. 'nuf said.

except this: above is an illustration from the book "The Harp Mouse Chooses Her Home, The Adventure Begins" by Diane E Dunn, illustrated by Donna Pellegata.

To purchase book with mouse finger puppet click HERE

without mouse finger puppet click HERE

Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation.

When you purchase an item from ArtQwerks, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to my favorite animal charities; Last Chance Animal Rescue and Horses Haven, both in lower MI. Which charity will depend on the item purchased and I will most certainly appreciate it.

See my store and galleries to the right--->