by Greg Busceme, Sr.
Our good friend and supporter, D.J. Kava, who passed in 2019 has sent us one more departing gift. His estate sent The Art Studio, Inc. a bequeath in excess of $36,000! This will put us over the top for the challenge grant from EDAREN foundation to repair both metal roofs of our facility, accomplishing the first goal of our “Raise The Roof” campaign.
The original members of The Art Studio, Inc. included D.J. Kava, left, Bill Anderson, Arval and Lou Hebert, Suzanne Garrett (holding Greg Busceme Jr.), Greg Busceme Sr. and Sandi Laurette. Photo by John Fulbright. 
Kava posed with one of his trademark ladders, right, prior to his 2009 retrospective art show at the Beaumont Art League. Photo by Andy Coughlan 
D.J. Kava in his trademark Birkenstocks, on The Studio’s back porch in 2002.
We became friends over old cars, and I was just starting my ceramics adventure when we met. When I was back form grad school for a year or so the idea of a studio came up. D.J. walked with me into the first facility that would be TASI. We surveyed the interior of the old B.F. Goodrich Tire Company, he looked at me and said, “What do we do now, Boss?” This started a new phase of our friendship that lasted until his death. Kava developed an interest in art and became an accomplished enameller as well as accomplished ceramist and multimedia sculptor. He loved his beer and his girlfriends who were also part of the will.
In honor of this gift, I proposed we name our building at 840 Franklin after him.
He left a legacy that will move us into another level of security and dryness.
Rest in Peace, my friend.
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