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Emily Heye, associate conservator of objects, uncovers the restored Chagall stained glass windows at their new location in the Art Institute Wednesday. The windows, which were removed five years ago for the construction of the Modern Wing, will open to the public on Nov. 1. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)
Bueller…Bueller?
The glass wall was also featured in the classic John Hughes film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off“.
Detail of one of the Chagall windows.
Daily Art Muse Blog On Artists of Gateway Arts District
>The author of the Daily Art Muse blog; Susan Lomuto writes about some of the DC area artists and studios involved in her upcoming internship. Susan is planning on writing about her experience working with different artists within various media.
Tim Tate and Laurel Lukaszweski share a laugh in Novie Trump’s studio
Says Susan of her initial visit to the studios:
“There is a gem tucked away in Mt. Rainier, MD, just a block away from Washington DC – a nondescript, unassuming building where art thrives, relationships flourish, learning is encouraged and life is enriched.
I was only with each of these artists a short time, but it was long enough to understand that they are cultivating an atmosphere of caring, support, friendship, community, humor and learning that helps them create magnificent art and shape extraordinary individuals. I can’t wait to be a part of it and share what I learn with you”
For the full blog posting – click HERE.
Glass Artist Michael Janis will be featured in the studio visit.
Allegra Marquart’s Narrative Glass
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Allegra Marquart
The Deer, Mouse, Crow & Turtle
kilncast and sand carved glass 18.5″ x18.5″
Since 1976 Allegra Marquart has been a professor at Maryland Institute College of Art teaching printmaking. Allegra’s imagery continues to gain in visual complexity. Her narrative glass panels started using fables that were familiar to those who know Aesop, La Fontaine and old English rhymes, but now her stories include ones written by Kipling, Edward Lear and ones handed down through generations of American Indians. If you ask Allegra what she does she might say that she makes people stand still, think and smile. Each of these stories are enhanced with a personal drawing style and processes Allegra loves for both making etchings on paper and in the fabrication of glass panels. Allegra’s work is full of invention, humor and pain.
Allegra Marquart
The Blue Jackal
kilncast and sand carved glass 18.5″ x18.5″
From Allegra’s artist statement:
Allegra Marquart
The Elephant’s Trunk
kilncast and sand carved glass 18.5″ x18.5″
So sure was I of this revelation that I went to work immediately. I began with sand blasting deeply into the glass to create my first body of work in this medium that was so new to me. A class at Pilchuck with Paul Marioni taught me how sand casting could give my images even greater physicality and drama. Work at The Corning Studio and The Washington Glass School (in DC) expanded my casting experience.”
Allegra is part of the faculty at the Washington Glass School, and she creates the multi-colored glass panels in the studio’s large kilns. Firing color atop color, Allegra creates a basis on which to deep sand carve her visual narratives.
Below is a glimpse into the steps she uses in the creation of the fantastic panels:
Allegra spreads out crushed colored glass (coarse frit) on top of a glass panel that has already been fired with a different color.
After the panel is fired, annealed and cooled, Allegra covers the glass with a thick vinyl resist.
Allegra transfers and draws her imagery onto the resist, later cutting away the elements to be exposed to a deep sand blast session.
The panel is then carved with a force fed media (deep sand blasted) that cuts through the various color layers of glass. Allegra will repeat the process on both the front and back of a panel, allowing the mix of light and color to work with her imagery.
The SOFA Chicago Art Expo will feature Allegra’s work at Maurine Littleton Gallery‘ space (#720).
Click HERE to jump to Allegra Marquart’s website.
Recycled Glass Art in Space City
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Eco artist Erwin Timmers just returned from spreading the word about fusing recycled glass into artwork at Houston, TX’ Hot Glass Houston studios.
The workshop was great fun, the class was enthusiastic and the facilities were first rate. Erwin said that he is looking forward to returning to H-Town (especially if its a cold winter).
Student working with recycled window glass.
Charles Bresler: In Memoriam
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From the Washington Post:
On October 22, 2010 of Rockville, MD. Beloved husband of Fleur Bresler; devoted father of Sidney (Phyllis), Susan, Lynne (Michael), Edward, Carol (Carolyn) and the late William; grandfather of Alex, Jonathan, Amanda, Audessa, Jessica, Rebecca, Louis, Anthony and Ruby. Graveside services will be held on Monday, October 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Garden of Remembrance Cemetery, 14321 Comas Rd., Clarksburg, MD. Family will be observing Shiva on Monday and Tuesday at his home in Rockville, MD at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Food and Friends of Washington D.C. or The Wood Turning Center, 501 Vine St., Philadelphia, PA 19106.
Washington Glass School Goes to SOFA Chicago
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SOFA Chicago at Navy Pier
S.O.F.A. Chicago 2010
Chicago’s historic Navy Pier is THE place to be for art from Nov. 5 – Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Chicago’s much-anticipated art fair, the 17th Annual International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair: SOFA CHICAGO 2010 will feature 80 art galleries and dealers from 10 countries. It promises to be an exciting weekend of discovery and collecting for Chicago’s impassioned art audience and for the crowd of national and international attendees. WGS’ Michael Janis and Allegra Marquart will be featured at Maurine Littleton Gallery’s booth (#720), and Tim Tate will be have a major showcase with Marc Petrovic at Habatat Galleries’ space (#1200).
SOFA Chicago Navy Pier Festival Hall 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Allegra Marquart The Fox and The Crow
Tim Tate The Seven Waking Dreams Of Man
Michael Janis Somewhere I Have Never Traveled (detail)
The Award Goes to…
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In 2006, the Washington, DC Trade and Cultural Mission presented the President of Senegal with WGS’ commemorative glass artwork. The cast bas-relief artwork sculpture was designed to symbolize Washington, DC as the (then) Mayor Williams and the DC Trade Mission went through parts of Europe and Africa. Made of cast float glass, the color shifts between amber and a milky-blue.
L to R Washington, DC Mayor Anthony Williams; President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade; Chair DC Commision on the Arts & Humanities, Dorothy McSweeny,
Black Reel Award
GPI Clear Choice Award 2007
Forbes/BearingPoint Compass Award
International Film Festival
Howard University Middle School Mathematics and Science award
University of Maryland Smith School of Business
If you or your organization are interested in having a unique, custom made glass award, call the Washington Glass Studio (202)744.8222, and look at the studio’s website.
JRA Hosts "Media Day"
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The James Renwick Alliance is hosting an exciting new program series titled “Media Days”. The six craft media (metal, clay, wood, glass, fiber and jewelry) each have an in-depth educational experience consisting of a visit to four venues to learn about studio glass artists, collectors, a gallery and museum collections.
October 23 is Media Day: Glass
Event Led by: Tim Tate and David Montague.
The journey to discover glass on October 23 starts at the Washington Glass School. The day will continue with a discussion with Jerry and Gwen Paulson; following a ‘dutch treat’ lunch in Alexandria, VA at 1 p.m., participants will move to the Renwick Gallery to visit with glass collectors Paul and Elmerina Parkman. The day will conclude at the fabulous Maurine Littleton Gallery.
Cost: $25 ($15 voluntary contribution to the James Renwick Alliance).
Transportation to each venue is the responsibility of each participant.
RSVP by Thursday, October 21st, James Renwick Alliance
301.907.3888 or admin@jra.org
Opening A Glass Studio – A Modern Fable
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History Lesson – 2003
>The Washington Glass School celebrates its 10th year anniversary in 2011, archives and photos are being searched for the nuggets of history and indicators of the path we traveled.
We often work with the school systems and offer ways to have middle school students come to the Glass School for free for an afternoon of creating cast glass tiles – a way to outreach to the schools and integrate their courses in math, science, physics, and art with a practical and hands-on application.
Tim Tate lectures the class from Stuart Hobsen, 2003.
Way back in 2003, the glass school was located in the District on Half Street, SE (the site is now part of the outfield of the Nationals baseball stadium). One of the schools that took us up on the offer was DC’s Stuart Hobson Middle School. Part of the educational section of the class was to review a quick history of studio glass art; with an emphasis on contemporary masters. One of the students mentioned during the art history lesson that his uncle sometimes paints on glass. (Tim Tate’s response: that’s great kid.)
Therman Statom
“Chair” Circa 1992
assembled glass sculpture with mixed media
53 X 48 X 32″
The class continued, with books and art magazines pulled out to show that every issue had an article or exhibition that featured Therman’s work. Jevon was taken aback at the celebrity factor of his uncle. Jevon later wrote a nice thank-you letter to the School:
Jevon Statom’s letter dated 11/19/03:
Dear Mr Tate & Staff
I want to thank you for letting my classmates
and I come to your shop. You taught me about glass.
I really appreciate you that you did all of this for free.
I am really excited that you acknowledged my uncle, Therman
Statom. I know that he was famous, but not that famous,
especially in DC. I really enjoyed the glass sculptures that
were on display, and how to find the tinted side of
glass. You have inspired me to try glass art for a while.
Sincerely
Therman’s nephew,
Jevon Statom
Tim Tate & Jevon Statom 2003
