Lumonics Fine Art

Dorothy Tanner was born in The Bronx, NY. She studied woodcarving with Chaim Gross at The Educational Alliance in Manhattan, and sculpture with Milton Hebald at the Brooklyn Museum Art School.

While a student at the Brooklyn Museum, she met Mel Tanner. They married in 1951, and moved to Syracuse, NY where they founded the Syracuse Art Workshop, teaching painting and sculpture. They were visiting instructors of art with the Special Education Department at Syracuse University. Dorothy had exhibitions at various galleries in Manhattan and at the Everson Museum in Syracuse.

Dorothy's work became totally abstract in 1954. She experimented with a variety of mediums, producing wood, metal, plaster, and polyester sculptures.

In 1963, they moved to New York City and opened Granite Gallery on East 57th Street. The Granite Art Association was also founded to further an understanding of the goals and trends of contemporary art, organizing seminars, forums, and exhibitions to achieve those aims. One of the forums, "The New Face in Art," took place at the Loeb Center at New York University. Participants included artists Louise Nevelson, Red Grooms, Norman Carton, and Gordon Brown, the editor of Art Voices.

While operating Granite Gallery Dorothy continued to develop her personal artistic expression. During that period both she and Mel were attracted to the Plexiglas (acrylic) medium.

In 1965, after traveling extensively in Europe, they returned to the United States and established a studio in Miami. Their interest in plexiglas and its unique light transmitting quality engaged both Dorothy and Mel in experimentation that led to one of the basic elements of the Lumonics art form...light.

The Lumonics Theatre opened to the public in Miami in 1969. It was a new art form that combined painting, sculpture, fountains, live projection, electronics, aroma, and music. This project became their major focus.

From 1969 to 1978, The Lumonics Theatre continued to be developed: the laser, electronic scanning devices, surround sound, and new projection techniques. There were ongoing performances for audiences ranging from student groups and planetarium directors to drug rehabilitation groups. New light sculptures were created for the Theatre. Several art/technology installations were commissioned for the United States and South America as well as home and office environments.

In 1978, the next major development occurred: video. Through videotape, the multi-media projection could now be preserved and no longer be limited to a real-time format. It was now possible to bring the Tanner video art into the home through the medium of television.

In 1979 A federal grant was accepted to create a future ecology demonstration center in San Diego, CA and to produce videotapes for cable television that taught ecology by a new and different method.

In 1981, the Tanners were commissioned to create a Lumonics environment in Bangor, Maine. A reporter wrote, "Mel and Dorothy Tanner and their associates, a remarkable group, have turned the old Canal Bank on Broad Street from a stogy place of business and high finance into a place of genuine magic."

In 1982, the Tanners and associates moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts. Work was commissioned by WBZ-TV for the design of a new set and a world map; and Boston public television station WGBH commissioned work for the sets of Frontline and Nova.

In 1985, the group returned to South Florida, moving to Fort Lauderdale.

In 1986, the Tanners had a successful exhibition at the Patricia Judith Gallery in Boca Raton. A new wing was added to house the light sculpture of these two artists.

In 1988, the Lumonics Light and Sound Theatre opened to the public. The art and the performances were given much critical acclaim.

After the passing of Mel Tanner in 1993, performances continued. Dorothy collaborated with associate Marc Billard, composing electronic music, and developing the video art form first begun by the Tanners in 1979. In 1994, Tanner and Billard accepted a commission from psychologist, Dr. Kathryn Mickle, to create the video, Unlimiting Yourself. It combined Dr. Mickle's sensitive dialog and hypnotic suggestions with the colorful multi-layered imagery and music of Tanner/Billard.

In 1995 and 1996, they developed programming for cable television in South Florida. A series of videotapes on behavior modification and creative writing was developed for schools.

From 1996 to 2000, the Tanner/Billard collaboration continued with Cosmic Rap-- Dorothy's positive message poetry set to music and visuals. Two world music CDs were also produced, Spices of the World and Spices of the World 2.

There was a continuation of new types of events produced at Lumonics, bringing in dance troupes, drummers, musicians, poets, and holistic workshops.

With the addition of Nite Light Gallery in 2000, an extension of the Lumonics Theatre, a new generation of electronic music enthusiasts responded with overwhelming appreciation.

In 2001, Lumonics was awarded "Best Art Experience" by New Times Broward Palm Beach.

In 2002, Lumonics was awarded "Best Dance Club" by New Times Broward Palm Beach.

In 2004, Lumonics was awarded "Best Art Gallery" by New Times Broward Palm Beach.

In 2005, the art of the Tanners and the video art of Tanner/Billard was exhibited at the Coral Springs Museum of Art.

Since 2005, Dorothy has been creating a series of new sculptures that use LEDs as the light source, working with Marc Billard.

The art of Dorothy and Mel Tanner is currently on exhibit at Edge Zones Art Center, Miami, FL