Opticians see eyewear as another art form ; Gallery tries to match faces with right frames
South Bend Tribune - South Bend, Ind.
Author: SHARON DETTMER
Date: May 31, 2005

SOUTH BEND -- Mona Lisa is a fine case in point.
Every face is a work of art, so why not frame it well?
This is the philosophy of South Bend opticians Lenore Tracey and Jennifer Cole, who are co-owners of glance Eyewear Gallery.
Matching faces with the right frames is an art form, Tracey says.
"Eyewear changes the way you view the world, and the way others view you," Cole adds.
These days, frame design is taken to higher artistic levels with triple-laminated acetates featuring rich colors with good light- transference.
A few factors considered in frame selection are wardrobe, profession, activities, hair color, face shape, and skin tone, Tracey explains.
She and Cole appreciate artistic frames and their local artists' community as well.
They decided to add a small onsite art gallery at their boutique to showcase talents of local artists. The concept of combining an eyewear gallery with an art gallery is popular with artists, musicians and photographers, so the space is booked well in advance,
The public is invited to view artwork of local artists and to enjoy poetry and dramatic interpretations during special events planned at glance Eyewear Gallery during "Goddesses Everywhere."
Visual artists will showcase a variety of interpretations depicting the Divine Feminine -- from the sacred to the whimsical -- during the "Goddesses Everywhere" exhibit, Tracey said.
The art exhibition and events run now through June 30.
The exhibition will feature works by local artists, including calligraphy, stained glass, paintings, photography, sculpture, printmaking and fiber art.
Also featured will be music performances, dramatic interpretations and poetry readings.
The gallery will show art from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
"Poetry and Performances, Part Two" is slated for Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. "Poetry and Performances Part One" was held earlier in the month.
"The Divine Feminine: A Dramatic Interpretation" will be performed from 6 to 8 p.m. June 16.
Art is a bit beyond the traditional focus of opticians.
American Board Certified opticians design, fit, dispense, manufacture and assist optometrists or ophthalmologists in filling eyewear prescriptions.
Tracey said her interest in designer eyewear -- avoiding eyeglasses that are brown and round -- motivated her to open glance Eyewear Gallery in January 2002 with Cole.
During her 25 years in the optical field, Tracey opened eyewear stores, hired staff, sold frames, trained opticians while working in a small optometry office.
Then she became interested in boutique-collections.
"We didn't have those frames in the community," she says. "People told me that they were going to Chicago and New York, or out of the country, to shop for frames.
"They wanted a different look for different outfits."
Glance Eyewear Gallery is at 1639 N. Ironwood Drive, Suite 2.
For further information, call (574) 271-1000.
[Illustration]
Caption: Optician Lenore Tracey, right, assists client Andrea DeGeeter of Mishawaka. Next to the eyewear boutique is an art gallery.; Eyewear Gallery on North Ironwood in South Bend offers an art gallery in an adjacent area. Tribune Photo/ SHARON DETTMER; Photo: cEyewear-Gallery-1.jpeg; cEyewear-Gallery-2.jpeg
Credit: Tribune Correspondent