August 13, 2012 | Washington Glass Studio

The Capitol Arts Network (CAN) is a nonprofit Arts Group founded in 2003 to bring arts opportunities and information to the Metro DC area. As it has grown, the organization is now at the point of needing a permanent headquarters.

CAN also acutely aware of the need for artist studio space in the metro DC region and they want to let everyone know that exciting things are happening in their search for a new location for in Montgomery County. The team at Capitol Arts Network has been touring spaces and have narrowed the search to a location that can easily house at least 30 or more working artists, and many more affiliate artists – with gallery, classroom, meeting space and the opportunity for vibrant growth alongside the thriving arts organization.

CAN’s goal is to encourage community building among a wide range of artists and disciplines, and to offer tremendous educational and inspirational opportunities for area artists is well on its way to being realized. A big announcement is coming by the the end of August, and they want everyone aware, as the plans move rapidly forward.

If you are interested in knowing more and want to be in on CAN’s big announcement coming soon, please send and email to Judith HearSong at CAN

and add your contact information. CAN wants everyone to know about the upcoming space – so forward this posting to artists, photographers, and other creative professionals who might be interested in studio space or the opportunity to become an affiliate artist!

Information will be posted on CAN’s website as soon as plans are finalized, and fingers crossed there is great interest from the arts community as this project becomes a reality in a few short months.

email Judith HeartSong at judith@capitolartsnetwork.com

The Penland 2012 auction tent as lighting lights up the sky. The central focus of the trip was built around attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction featuring the sale of over 200 craft items, and it was a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts.

Tim Tate and Sean Hennessey have just returned from taking a James Renwick Alliance (JRA) tour out to North Carolina’s Penland School of Crafts for the Annual Benefit Auction. Additionally, the “Tour with Tate” visited the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville. For this post – we will tag along with the JRA as they visit some of the artist studios.

Michael Sherrill’s incredible studio

Michael Sherrill’s ceramic artwork

Ceramist Michael Sherrill has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.

Michael Sherrill talking about his work

Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McColl Centerfor Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.

Hoss recycles objects like washing machines and cars – often crumpling them into ball shapes mounted to walls or stacked.

Christina Cordova & Pablo De Soto’s studio was visited as part of the tour. This husband and wife team operate their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself. Pablo’s beautiful glass blown vessels were loved by all and Cristina Cordova’s incredible ceramics were a highlight to the tour.

Christina Cordova talks about her recent works.

Christina Cordova’s work is awesome.

Pablo De Soto charms Fred and Susan Sanders

A trip to the Asheville Art Museum included a personal tour by curator Nancy Sokolove. Also, glass artist Alex Bernstein came to talk about his process.

Alex Bernstein talks to the JRA at the Asheville Art Museum.

Dan Essig’s wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Dan’s works incorporates so many things -fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork.

Dan Essig talks of his work

No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery currently has up work from the “Glass Secession” exhibit – that includes works by Christina Bothwell, Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Susan Taylor Glasgow and Sean Hennessey.

A view of the Blue Spiral 1 Gallery.

Stoney Lamar works in sculptural woodturning. His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, Mint Museumof Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.