Susan Mesler / Karnig Dabanian

glass pendant / copper wire

2 1/2 X 1 1/2

Currently a wire sculptor and jewelry artist, Susan Mesler is a graduate of Trenton

High School and Eastern Michigan University. Her first career was as a pharmacy

technician at the VA Hospital in Allen Park. When the hospital closed in 1985,

Susan answered the calling to become a teacher. Specializing in Elementary

Science and Mathmatics, she thrived on creating opportunities for students to

incorporate artistic expression into all subject areas.

Mrs. Mesler left her teaching career behind following a stage 4 cancer diagnosis

in 2015. Having lost nearly all of the feeling in her fingers during chemotherapy,

she began working with a therapeutic art class while recovering from treatment.

The Healing Arts Group at the Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Woodhaven, under

the mentorship of Patrica Izzo, provided a haven of support and encouragement

as Susan developed her skills. During the group’s annual show at the Downriver

Council for the Arts, an acquaintance from yoga class approached with an offer.

She said her deceased husband was a glass maker, and she would like to

commission 3 pendants, one for each of his daughters. The pendants were to be

made from glass fobs he had created over 30 years earlier.

The glass maker she spoke of was none other than Karnig Dabanian. One of the

founders of the independent art glass movement, Dabanian helped to revive and

revolutionize the craft of glass making. Known for his technique of layering “veils”

of translucent glass into amazing forms, Dabanian became renowned for his

sculptures. Commissioned by the DCA to create a 3-dimensional “Salute to

Excellence” award, Dabanian’s sculptures can be found in collections of Tom

Monaghon, Alex Monoogian, and the Ilitch Family. He was also a featured artist at

River’s Edge Gallery.

Serendipity combines the glass of Karnig Dabanian with the wire weaving and

sculptural talents of Susan Mesler.