Photos from 21st Century Glass Exhibit

21st Century Glass post studio glass

Maryland’s Salisbury University Galleries had an exhibition of glass artworks reflecting the expanded nature of contemporary sculptural glass art. Curated by Steven Durow, the head of Salisbury University’s glass program, the show featured a diverse roster of artists. 

Sculpture by Sibylle Peretti

Sculpture by Sibylle Peretti

Said Steven about the exhibit’s effect on the students in Salisbury’s glass program:  ” I can say for certain that it was an eye opener for the students here! The students were blown away by the variety of the work. They had no idea that the material had so many possibilities”

Salisbury University exhibit on 21st Century Glass

Salisbury University students got schooled on glass as sculptural medium.

Steven also added that he felt the show was a success, and it was a success solely because of phenomenal  work done by amazing people.  

Artists featured in the show included Davin Ebanks, Sean Hennessey, Michael Janis, Weston Lambert, Carmen Lozar, Sibylle Peretti, Margaret Spacapan, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Audrey Wilson and Walter Zimmerman. 

Glass sculptures by Carmen Lozar

Glass sculptures by Carmen Lozar

21st Century Glass

Haters Gonna Hate, Hate, Hate

Artist Tim Tate submits today’s post about keeping true to one’s vision – in spite of naysayers saying…. well, …nay!

A lesson for other artists, that I learned the hard way. Last year this time I was being shouted down as publicly as possible in national publications about the need to secede from past models . Last year I was accused of oversimplifying at best and misrepresenting at worst, of being guilty of revisionist history and narrow definitions……just to start. How dare a non-academic make such declarative statements and disrespect the past.

This year I have the director of a major museum critiquing my work in the best terms possible. This year one of my pieces will be named a “National Treasure” by the Smithsonian. This year I will be showing some of the best work I have ever made in some of the best venues in the world.

This is not stated to whine about the past nor brag on the present. I am just using this juxta-position to illustrate that as artists, we are surrounded by other people’s opinions about our work. Most of the time we close our ears to the good and the bad, but when its people or institutions whom we respect who are attacking us, its tough not to question your own direction.

The trick is to keep on that path you truly believe is right. Those who try to shout you down will soon fade. If you truly believe in your work and love it, so too shall others. Never change your thoughts, directions or work just because others try to drive you in that direction. Better to spend that negative energy towards finding people who believe as you do….who love your work as much as you do.

Slowly you will find the audience you have always hoped for…it just takes time and perseverance. See you at the fairs.

Tim Tate

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SNOW DATE: Evening Artist Success Seminar Changed to March 10

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The snow that hit the DC area has altered the scheduled classes! Tonite’s seminar is postponed – new date is March 10, 2015. 7- 9 pm.

Free Seminar – Maximizing Your Success As An Artist (Class 1903)

There is no magic formula for artistic success, but in this interactive night of discussion, come pick the brains of these 3 very successful artists for tips and hints on how to move your art forward. How to find galleries, manage social media, choose art fairs, etc. We will try to help all who show up. Free to all.

SNOW DATE REVISION! Now scheduled for March 10, 2015!

Instructor: Lenny Campello / Michael Janis / Tim Tate
Dates:       REVISED March 10
Time:         7pm to 9pm
Tuition:      Free (RSVP to erwin@washglass.com)

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Happy President’s Day!

President George Washington tries to make sense of the Metro.

President George Washington tries to make sense of the Metro. Still image from Mt Vernon’s web series of General Washington in modern DC.

Washington’s Birthday is observed the third Monday of February in honor George Washington, the first President of the United States. This date is commonly called Presidents’ Day and many groups honor the legacy of past presidents on this date.

Washington’s actual birthday, Feb. 22,  became a U.S. government holiday back in 1885. In the early 1950’s, there was a movement led by a coalition of travel organizations to create three-day weekends by moving the celebration of some holidays to Mondays. One of the suggestions was to create a Presidents’ Day between Washington’s birthday and Lincoln’s birthday, which was a holiday in some states. A few states tried the new arrangement, but it was not universally adopted across the country. Also in the early 1950’s there was a proposal to make March 4 — the original presidential inauguration day — a holiday to honor all presidents, but that went nowhere.

The National Holiday Act of 1971 passed by Congress created three-day weekends for federal employees by moving the celebration of some holidays to Mondays, although states did not have to honor them. 

General George Washington checks out the offerings at the food trucks parked near the White House.

General George Washington checks out the offerings at the food trucks parked near the White House.

Although the federal holiday is marked on the third Monday in February, there is no agreed-upon name, no universal agreement on who is being celebrated, and the use of the apostrophe in the name is varied: Sometimes it isn’t used at all (as in Presidents Day), sometimes it is placed between the last two letters (President’s Day) and sometimes it is after the last letter (Presidents’ Day).

So – wishing all a Happy Presidents’ Day, or President’s Day, or Presidents Day – or whatever.

Penland School of Crafts Seeks…

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Penland offers workshops in books & paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, and wood.

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Penland offers workshops in books & paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking and letterpress, textiles, and wood.

Penland School of Crafts is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland is located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC. 

The arts education center has several job openings and summer internships available. The detailed job descriptions and internships are available online at http://penland.org/about/jobs.html. Applications are due on February 16, 2015.

Penland School of Crafts is an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 62. Penland operates with a $16 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $5.5 million.

penland.3Current Job Openings – Applications due February 16, 2015

Employees at Penland enjoy competitive pay, engaging benefits and a unique work environment of creative inquiry. We have a variety of seasonal, part-time and full-time positions. Classes are offered in the spring, summer and fall with a short winter residency in January and February. For more information about Penland, please visit http://penland.org/index.html.

The Dinner Cook reports to the Food Services Manager for planning and executing dinner menus, managing the dinner kitchen staff, and coordinating serving and shut down of dinner service.  In addition, the Dinner Cook assists the Head Chef in menu planning and preparation of dinner menus and helps prep for breakfast and lunch. The Dinner Cook helps manage a rotating group of scholarship students who often have minimal kitchen experience. The ability to work as a team member with all other functions of Penland is an important aspect of this job. The capacity in the kitchen and dining room is 230 with daily averages of 230 in the summer and 130 in the spring and fall. This is a full-time, seasonal, hourly position. Anticipated start date is March 2015.

The Hospitality Services Manager works closely with the school’s administrative, facilities and programming staff to ensure that all hospitality service functions of the school are managed smoothly and effectively. The Hospitality Services Manager is responsible for managing housing, housekeeping staff, Core Fellow service functions, vendor relationships and the work-study students. This position also serves as co-manager of the Core Fellows program and is responsible for on-site service training and management. Additional duties include special event responsibilities such as Community Open House, Easter, July 4th, etc. The position is a full-time (40 hours/week in spring, summer & fall and 30 hours/week in winter), year-round, benefits eligible, salaried position and reports to the Deputy Director.

The Communications Associate for Digital Media has primary responsibility for managing Penland’s digital communications and online presence, including social media platforms, blog, website, and e-mail news. The position will share responsibility with the communications manager for creating compelling online content. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in craft and arts education and be a skilled writer and an effective communicator. H/she will be technologically competent and have an interest in the digital world. The Communications Associate will use digital media to inspire support for the school, promote workshop enrollment, and promote the value of craft in the world. The Communications Associate will work with the communications and marketing manager to develop new strategies for promoting the school and participate in other communications and marketing activities as needed. This is a full-time, year-round, benefits-eligible position that reports to the Communications Manager and also works with the Director of Development and Communications.

penland.2Internships – Applications due February 16, 2015

A Penland internship is unpaid, but offers a unique opportunity to live and work in a dynamic, creative educational community and work with accomplished professionals in a mutual learning and knowledge sharing environment. All housing and meals will be provided at no charge to the intern for the duration of the internship period. The week before and after summer sessions, Penland’s dining hall is closed. Interns working during this time will receive a $75/week food stipend. Class and studio access is not provided.

Penland will work with applicants seeking educational credit for the internship. Details can be discussed in the interview process.

Housing will be assigned when interns are selected. Typically, interns are housed together with 2-3 other summer interns in a residence hall on Penland’s campus.

The Benefit Auction Intern is an important member of the Penland development team who provides administrative support while learning about the preparation and management of the Benefit Auction. This event is a weekend fundraiser that grosses over $600,000 for the school and is the 3rd largest craft school auction in the U.S.  This position allows the intern a high level of responsibility through which he or she will gain valuable knowledge and experience in auction fundraising, planning and executing a multi-day event, event registration, data management, and follow-up procedures. The intern reports to the Development Associate for Special Events throughout the internship and assists the Development Operations Manager with registration and check-out closer to and during the event.

The Community Collaboration/Development Intern supports and implements Community Collaboration initiatives, programs and activities and assists the Development staff with special events. The intern will provide intensive support for Kids Camp activities, plan and implement hands-on activities in collaboration with a community organization, and assist with materials preparation for Teaching Artist Initiative programs. The intern will assist development staff with Penland Friends parties, session auction events, and the Annual Benefit Auction.  The intern’s time will be divided between Community Collaboration and Development according to the schedules of these departments.

The Grounds Intern is an important member of the facilities and grounds team. This position will provide hands on research and experience with invasive plants, both native and non-native, along with the maintenance of annuals and perennials alike. The intern will also update a program to track and remove these invasive plants for the future. Additional responsibilities include work in our vegetable and herb garden. This position allows the intern a high level of responsibility for the day to day upkeep of the Penland grounds. The Grounds Intern reports to the Groundskeeper and the Director of Facilities and Grounds.

The Development Intern is an important member of Penland’s development team and works closely with professional staff to gain practical work experience in fundraising and stewardship strategies that support the school’s mission and programs. He or she will learn about each staff role and gain valuable knowledge and experience in donor cultivation and stewardship, events, prospect research, data management and use of the Raiser’s Edge donor database, a widely used software in non-profits. The development intern reports to the Development Associate for Individual Giving.

The Print, Letterpress, Books and Papermaking Intern provides studio support for three areas while learning about studio management and arts administration at a non-profit craft school.  This un-paid position allows the intern to gain valuable knowledge and experience in studio support which includes safety procedures, equipment maintenance, ordering and tracking supplies, and working closely with studio assistants and instructors. The Intern reports to the Print, Letterpress, Books and Papermaking Studio Coordinator.

This Teaching Artist Intern provides close exposure to the skills and teaching philosophy employed by Penland’s Teaching Artist Initiative. This is an assistance position. Work includes materials preparation, classroom setup and maintenance, teaching assistance, and administrative support. Program activities take place in Penland’s teaching studio at Ridgeway, and in three partner schools. Hands-on activities include a variety of bookmaking and painting processes, working with over 400 students over the course of the semester. This internship is positioned in fall 2015 (August-December).

The Painting/Drawing and Textiles Studio Intern provides studio support while learning about studio management and arts administration at a non-profit craft school. This un-paid position allows the intern to gain valuable knowledge and experience in studio support which includes safety procedures, equipment maintenance, ordering and tracking class supplies and working closely with studio assistants and instructors. The Intern reports to the Textile & Drawing/Painting Studio Coordinator.

For more info – contact

Sally Loftis, Human Resources Manager

P. O. Box 37, Penland, NC 28765

phone: 828-765-2359

Washington Glass School’s Connection to Groundhog Day Movie

Still from 1993 movie classic "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray.

Still from 1993 movie classic “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray.

Love the Hollywood classic movie Groundhog Day? Its the one where Bill Murray plays weatherman Phil Connors who is trapped in a time loop covering the annual groundhog day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

Deborah Ruzinsky, superstar caster.

Deborah Ruzinsky, superstar caster.

 At last year’s seminar on kiln casting techniques, Washington Glass School lecturer & artist Deborah Ruzinsky, while talking of her storied past life making models for the US film industry told us of her contribution to the 1993 movie.

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Deborah Ruzinsky in the studio ca. 1990

Back in the early ’90’s Deborah was a project leader for Cinnabar, a Los Angeles fabricator of sets and scenic elements for film, museums and entertainment institutions. Deb’s background of mold-making, casting, CNC machining, Plastic vacuforming and fabrication, foam carving, sculpting, scale model building, and organic prop construction had her making props and models for an impressive roster of films, commercials and music videos. giphy

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Filming the giant scale model clock.

One of her projects was the creation of the digital flip clock used for the “Groundhog Day” movie closeups; the “real” clock would not give the kind of definition wanted by the directors – as the camera size was large, a larger-than-life scale was needed to show the detail.

Photos taken by Deborah Ruzinsky of the filming process.

Photos taken by Deborah Ruzinsky of the filming process.

Deb also worked on Michael Jackson’s video “Smooth Criminal” – part of his anthology film “Moonwalker”. In the film, Michael Jackson plays a ’30’s era gangster who avenges kidnapped children and transforms into a giant robot. In the video, Michael Jackson performs a seemingly impossible forward lean. 

Deb Ruzinsky sets up the Michael Jackson robot armature.

Deb Ruzinsky sets up the Michael Jackson robot armature.

Deborah continued to use and broaden her skills in mold making; she later became a University level educator and was the Visiting Asst. Professor of Glass at RIT for 2008-2009.

Besides teaching glass art and history, Debra is currently the creative director of MNCPPC’s design and fabrication studio. 

Model during film shoot.

Model of Michael Jackson-bot during film shoot.