Monthly Archives: March 2013

Ephemeral: Interpretations of the Cherry Blossom Opens at Lorton Workhouse

Posted on by |


Opening Night Reception for “Ephemeral” at Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center

The National Cherry Blossom Festival started off with a show – at Lorton, VA’s McGuire Woods Gallery in the Workhouse Arts Center.

Robert Kincheloe at his installation of glass cherry blossoms. The imagery (made from hot glass) suggests frozen branches with cherry blossoms encased in ice, ready to emerge for the spring.

Curated by Laurel Lukaszewski and Komelia Honja Okim, the show was to express aspects of “fleeting moments and delicate sensibilities”. Follows are some photos from the opening night.

Robert Kincheloe’s torchworked cherry blossom branches forground, Michael Janis’ fused glass panels beyond.
 
Akemi Maegawa’s mixed media sculpture.
Akemi Maegawa and Laurel Lukaszewski share a laugh at the reception.
Dalya Luttwak’s sculpture looks incredible.
Some of the artists showing in “Ephemeral” L-R: Robert Kincheloe, Michael Janis, Laurel Lukaszewski, Akemi Maegawa, David Douglas.
Laurel Lukaszewski’s delicate cherry blossoms wrap around the center columns of the gallery.
Michael Janis’ glass artwork on exhibit.

The exhibit runs through April 7, 2013. There will be a special Cherry Blossom Festival Day, Saturday, April 6, 2013, from 11am-4pm.

Ephemeral: Interpretations of the Cherry Blossom
Workhouse Arts Center
9601 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079

Posted in akemi maegawa, ephemeral, laurel lukaszewski, lorton, robert kincheloe, workhouse arts center

British Council USA Blogs About Phil Vickery

Posted on by |

Phil Vickery glass – photo credit: Jo Howell

The British Council asked Washington Glass School Co-Director Michael Janis to act as a US Cultural Ambassador and write a series of articles for their blog regarding the collaborative art exhibit “International Glass and Clay 2013“, now open in Washington, DC. The latest post is an interview with UK glass artist Phil Vickery, a Sunderland-based artist that has shown his work at two previous US/UK exhibitions held in Washington, DC.

Phil Vickery at the bench.

Michael interviews Phil and outlines his background in glass and his artistic influences. In the article, Phil discusses the benefits and outcomes of the (art) trade missions for him and the Cohesion Glass Network. 
Phil also talks about his current series of glass sculptures. Says Phil about his techniques: “I use the material properties inherent to (hot) glass to express this quality. Working with the fluidity of molten glass, I manipulate it into shapes and also allow gravitational force to create my signature spiral forms.”

Click HERE to jump to the full interview on the British Consulate website.

The International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit is open through March 23, 2013, at Washington, DC’s Pepco Edison Place Gallery, located at 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.

Posted in British Council, creative cohesion, international glass and clay, phil vickery

Reminder: Panel Discussion about Fulbright Program @ Pepco Edison Place Gallery

Posted on by |

Today, Saturday, March 9

The Fulbright Program, now in its 65th year, has amassed an alumni body of almost 300,000 participants, representing nearly every nation of the world. The Program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually. Roughly 1,700 U.S. students, 4,000 foreign students, 1,200 U.S. scholars, and 900 visiting scholars receive awards, in addition to several hundred teachers and professionals. Approximately 318,000 “Fulbrighters” have participated in the Program since its inception in 1946.

Michael Janis Fulbright Scholar
WGS Fulbrighter Michael Janis
WGS Fulbrighter Tim Tate

Join us today, Saturday, March 9th as we discuss the “Fulbright Experience ” with a roundtable of Fulbright Scholars from area universities.

Details: Saturday, March 9th

Reception 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Panel Discussion 1:00 – 2:30 pm

 

The Fulbright roundtable discussion is part of the events that make up the International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit held at the Pepco Edison Gallery at 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.

Posted in artomatic, DCCAH, fulbright scholar, fulbright scholar michael janis, fulbright scholar tim tate, glass and clay, pepco edison place gallery, sister city

National Cherry Blossom Festival Art Exhibit Reception Saturday, March 9

Posted on by |

View of Ephemeral: Interpretations of the Cherry Blossom exhibit @ McGuire Woods Gallery in Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center

Opening Reception for Ephemeral: Interpretations of the Cherry Blossom is this Saturday, March 9, from 6-9pm.

Curated by Laurel Lukaszewki and Komelia Hongja Okim, the exhibition explores fleeting moments captured in art and celebrate the cherry blossom and Asian and American relations. Artwork by WGS’ Michael Janis and Robert Kincheloe as well as ceramic sculptures by Laurel Lukaszewski and Akemi Maegawa make this a must-see show!

Incredible works by photographer David Douglas, painters Sumita Kim and Jun Chul Kim, and sculptors Komelia Hongja Okim, Dalya Luttwak and David Loren Gerlach are also on view.
The exhibition will also feature a Cherry Blossom Festival at the Workhouse on April 6.

The show runs through April 7.

Workhouse Arts Center
9601 Ox Rd.
Lorton, VA22079
(703) 495-0001 

Read more here: http://events.miamiherald.com/lorton_va/events/show/309566207-ephemeral-interpretations-of-the-cherry-blossom#storylink=cpy

Posted in akemi maegawa, cherry blossom festival, ephemeral, laurel lukaszewski, lorton, robert kincheloe, workhouse arts center

Michael Janis named "US Cultural Ambassador", Knighthood Next?

Posted on by |

The British Council is a British organization specializing in international educational and cultural opportunities. It was founded in 1934 as the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries, and granted a royal charter by King George VI in 1940. Its “sponsoring department” within the UK Government is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Recently, the British Council asked our Michael Janis to write about the sister city relationship between Sunderland, England and Washington, DC and how the Washington Glass School came to be one of the participants in the spectacular International Glass and Clay exhibit that opened March 1, 2013.

Click HERE to jump to British Council blog.

Michael was listed as a “US Cultural Ambassador” and he is loving the title upgrade. He now insists on being called “honorable” and says he is planning to stage a “glass coup” at the UN and that he will begin issuing a list of non-binding resolutions. 

Michael Janis – the Dark Knight

After all his work with the British glass and ceramic artists, Knighthood surely is being planned.

This Saturday, March 9th, from noon- 1:00 pm, the International Glass and Clay Exhibit hosts a roundtable discussion about the Fulbright Scholar program. Come to the gallery and have a chat with Fulbright Scholars from area universities.

International Glass and Clay 2013
Pepco Edison Place Gallery  @ 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Gallery hours are Saturday and Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Gallery is closed on Sundays. The Gallery Place Metro station is within walking distance of the Gallery. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.  

Posted in arts ambassador, British Council, cultural ambassador, england, glass, sister city, sunderland, uk, washington DC

Never Mind The Bullseye – Here’s The Glass Pistols

Posted on by |

“007 – Walther P99”, Light, Fused water jet cut BE glass, 2010, Dr Magareth Troli – artwork featured in the “International Glass + Clay 2013” exhibit

A number of the UK artists exhibiting in the International Glass and Clay 2013 show (at Pepco Edison Place Gallery -702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC) have come to the opening events and programs. The visiting UK artists have hit DC town running – there have been a number of Glass and Clay show events to keep them occupied!

UK Glass Artist Demo at Washington Glass School during International Glass & Clay
Robyn Townsend’s artwork incorporates glass and metal

Demos by UK Artists:
Criss Chaney and Robyn Townsend showed their techniques for metal inclusions and patinas in glass.

Criss Chaney shows how the patinas are formed
Robyn Townsend and Criss Chaney

Over at DC GlassWorks, Colin Rennie, Phil Vickery and Roger Tye wowed the fans of blown glass with a series of virtuoso feats in hot glass. 

UK artist Phil Vickery demonstrates the process for his beautiful glass forms
L-R Colin Rennie, Phil Vickery and Roger Tye at DC GlassWorks
Roger Tye makes a triple incalmo bowl in red, white and blue.

Colin Rennie ended the demos with a flourish!
Whee!
Artists in the exhibit have a get-together at Artomatic founder George Koch’s place. (Top row L-R: Anne Tye, Tom Hurst, Catherine Auld, Roger Tye. Bottom row L-R: Dr Magareth Troli, Phil Vickery, Robyn Townsend, Criss Chaney, Audrey Wilson, Philippa Whiteside, Colin Rennie)

The exhibit continues thru March 23 – make sure you come into the gallery to see this incredible showcase of art from the US and UK.
International Glass and Clay 2013
Pepco Edison Place Gallery  @ 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Gallery hours are Saturday and Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Gallery is closed on Sundays. The Gallery Place Metro station is within walking distance of the Gallery. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.

Posted in artomatic, criss chaney colin rennie, dc glassworks, DCCAH, demo, england, robyn townsend, roger tye, sister city, UK glass artists, us, washington glass school

Workhouse Arts Center "Ephemeral: Interpretations of the Cherry Blossom"

Posted on by |

 

An exhibition on the ephemeral nature of the cherry blossom. Curated by Laurel Lukaszewski and Komelia Hongja Okim, the exhibition will explore fleeting moments captured in art and celebrate the cherry blossom and Asian and American relations. The exhibition will also feature a Cherry Blossom Festival at the Workhouse on April 6.

Artists in this exhibition include: Glass artists Michael Janis and Robert Kincheloe, photographer David Douglas, painters Sumita Kim and Jun Chul Kim, and sculptures Akemi Maegawa, Dalya Luttwak and David Loren Gerlach.

Public Opening Reception: Saturday, March 9, 6-9pm

 

Workhouse Arts Center 

9601 Ox Rd.
Lorton, VA

703-584-2900

Posted in cherry blossom festival, laurel lukaszewski, robert kincheloe, workhouse arts center

Panel Discussion held at International Glass + Clay 2013

Posted on by |

Artists and Creative Businesses from the UK City of Sunderland and the District of Columbia discuss their views about international efforts and the impact these relationships can have on their practices.  The discussion will particularly draw on their experience within the Washington DC – Sunderland Friendship Agreement.


Presenters: 

Anne Tye, Sector Specialist, Creative Industries, Sunderland England

UK Artists: Phil Vickery and Criss Chaney 

Washington, DC Artists: Novie Trump, Director, FLUX Studio and Michael Janis, Co-Director, Washington Glass School. 

 

5:30 – 7:00 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The panel discussion is part of the events planned during the International Glass and Clay exhibit, open thru March 23, 2013. The talk is free and open to the public. Location: Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20068.

Posted in creative economy, dc sister city, sunderland, uk, usa

International Glass & Clay 2013 Opens!

Posted on by |

Opening reception for International Glass and Clay 2013 Exhibit in Washington, DC

This weekend, the opening reception for the International Glass & Clay 2013 was a great sucess!
The collaborative show, organized by Artomatic, the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia and DC’s Sister City of Sunderland, England and the University of Sunderland had a great turnout for the first night of the month long event. A number of the UK artists exhibiting in the show were on hand at the opening, and they were able to make connections with collectors and the DC creative community. 
Below are some photos of the opening night and of the exhibition:

Colin Rennie (foreground) Michael Janis (L) Roger Tye
Colin Rennie talks about his process and influences.
Washington DC collectors contemplate Megan Randall’s ceramic works.
Stephen Beardsell’s glass sculptures are always a favorite.
UK glass artist Robyn Townsend answers questions about her glass artworks on exhibit.
Beautiful ceramic sculptures by Novie Trump.
Glass artwork by UK glass artist Jeffrey Sarmiento and beyond, works by US artists Nancy Donnelly and Audrey Wilson.
UK glass artist Phil Vickery chats with DC collectors.
Artwork by UK glass artist Criss Chaney and ceramic work by US artist Tamara Laird.
Ceramic sculpture by the UK’s Philippa Whiteside.
UK glass artist Roger Tye expresses surprise at what artist Criss Cheney has to say.
Sunderland City International Manager Catherine Auld is happy as Sunderland’s Anne Tye negotiates a sale with a Washington, DC art collector.

The international exhibit will be open to the public thru March 23, 2013. Location is Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20068.
Gallery hours Saturday & Tuesday 12pm-4pm. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 12pm-8pm.

 Click HERE to jump to the exhibit website for more info on special events and artist info.

Posted in artomatic, cohesion, DCCAH, flux studios, george koch, glass and ceramic, glass and clay, international glass and clay, red dirt studio, sunderland, university of sunderland, washington glass school