JCC's Charach Gallery opens "The Bra Show" October 17 with free event

The pin cushion bra really says it all. Hundreds of tiny, decorated beads show on the outside of each cup. A frightening forest of sharp pins pierce the inside.

Susan Massucci's "Pins and Needles," which evokes the pain of breast cancer treatment, is one of the most jarring entries in "The Bra Show," a unique exhibit that opens October 17 in the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit's Janice Charach Gallery. The two-month show benefits both the gallery and and Huron-Valley Sinai Hospital.

"These are all mastectomy bras, given to us by Befitting You, a shop at the hospital," explained gallery director Terri Stearn. She and gallery staff put the exhibit together based on a similar show in South Carolina, brought to their attention by Joyce Lit, wife of JCC Executive Director Mark Lit.

In addition to bras that have been decorated, some artists have submitted unique creations, including a television set with some unusual features and an oversized bra made of tooled leather. Robert Schefman, a local artist, turned the bra he was given into a representation of the armor he wished he could have given his sister-in-law, who lost her battle with breast cancer.

Prominent Metro Detroiters, as well as national celebrities, have contributed to the first-floor exhibit. Scarlette Jade, designer for films who is now creating the wardrobe for the local production of “Legally Blonde," put a large pair of sequined green eyes on hers. Bras are also expected from actress Justine Bateman; fashion critic Steven “Cojo” Cojocaru; Robin Schwartz, a reporter for WJBK-TV Channel 2 News and the Detroit Jewish News; Peter Soronen, fashion designer to celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Hudson; and Joe Faris of “Project Runway”; Melrose of “America’s Next Top Model”.
Other artists contributing to the project are Hillary Levin, Donna Pellegata, Gail Mintz, Taryn Boyn, Susan Emerling, Diane Nunez, Amy Durfee, Ilene Harris, Gilda Snowden, Cliff Harris, Mollene Levin, Lisa Fox, Joe Faris, Susan Massucci, Susan Brennan, Abby Stybel, Diane Takacs, Michael Daitch, Imre Molnar, Linda Onderko, Ilene Kahan, Victoriya Strumban, Karen Fenwick, Mimi Prussack, Susan Moiseev, Terri Stearn, Lynn Duffy, Mary Tata Lynch and Lucy Morey.

The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit’s Janice Charach Gallery expects support from the community for its upcoming exhibit, “The Bra Show,” running Oct. 17 through Dec. 17. Opening night is 7 p.m. Oct. 17 and is free and open to the community. Also showing will be “Toward the Threadbare,” an exhibit featuring sculptures and other works of art created solely from neck ties.

The gallery is inside the JCC at 6600 W. Maple Road in West Bloomfield Township. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. To learn more, and for a link to a live broadcast of the gallery opening, visit http://www.gallerydirector.blogspot.com/

Photos: Top - Gallery Director Terri Stearn, right, with assistant Hillary Levin show off some of The Bra Show exhibits. Both have contributed to the event; Ms. Levin's entry is pictured at bottom. Bras by Scarlette Jade and Robert Schefman are pictured center.