Local doctor showcases art at Weathervane
6/14/2012 - West Side Leader
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| Dr. Gary Lichten is shown next to his artwork on display at Weathervane Playhouse. |
| Photo: Maria Lindsay |
During the run of Weathervane’s production of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which is on stage through July 8, Lichten’s award-winning ceramic artwork will be on display in the theater’s gallery.
Lichten and I visited June 8 in the Weathervane lobby.
“I do the ceramic work because I enjoy it,” said Litchen, a Bath resident. “It’s subjective. My art work is an extension of what I do in my office.”
According to Lichten, he is board certified in both dermatology and internal medicine and is chief of the Department of Dermatology at Akron City Hospital. He’s also an associate professor of medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University. Lichten earned his bachelor of science degree at The University of Akron and his doctor of medicine degree at The Ohio State University.
“I would live my life as I have lived it — a career in medicine and a second career in ceramic art,” Lichten said. “I think of my medical practice as artistic. We have new equipment in the office, which helps rejuvenate skin and does some of the work of a facelift — that’s artistic.”
Lichten said an exhibit of his art at Weathervane two years ago was his most successful exhibit.
“When I sell my work, I give the money to charities,” he said. “The price of the artwork doesn’t reflect the hours of work and the materials.”
When asked why anyone would buy his work, Lichten said, “People want art — my work or another artist’s work — for the pleasure it gives them. Art reflects on past experiences. Art may help someone revisit a past time or a happy time. Some art jars the emotions. Good art gives people a visual pleasure, a visual vacation. For example, I’m now doing a series based on the beach. Also, I’m doing some new work that is whimsical. I’m doing popcorn and a popsicle. So, I’m moving away from flowers.”
As well as displaying his work at Weathervane, Lichten’s installation of “Polyploidy” was unveiled in the Auburn Science and Engineering Center at The University of Akron last year. This exhibit represented biological and physiological functions and genetic implications of roses.
In addition to the installations of his work in the Akron area, Lichten has received national recognition. He was awarded the “Best” tile award at the 2012 National Juried Art Show at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts by the ceramic jurors Mark del Vecchio and Garth Clark.
Lichten’s work will be on display at Weathervane during the run of “The Drowsy Chaperone.” This exhibit provides an opportunity for Akron art lovers to see how Lichten combines ceramic art and the art of medicine.
To view Lichten’s ceramics, visit www.betterskin.md and go to the “About Us” page.
David Ritchey has a Ph.D. in communications and is a professor of communications at The University of Akron. He is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
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