Dance With Us
The rhythm of the cosmos
Is a waltz
In three steps
Dream
Create
Sustain
The crew at Washington Glass School wish all a joyful, bright, healthy, prosperous and happiest new year ahead! May this new year bring all the crazy colors and fun in life!
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” — Albert Einstein
The year of 2015 started off with some great shows – and that is how the year ended! Some highs, some lows, some sad farewells. The circle of life in a glass studio. Have a quick trip down Memory Lane for the past 12 months:
January
Maryland’s Salisbury University Galleries presented an exhibition of 21st Century glass artworks that showcased the expanded nature of contemporary sculptural glass art. Steven Durow, the Head of SU’s Art Department Glass Area was the curator of the exhibition. Said of the show: “Harvey Littleton, the recognized founder of the Studio Glass Movement in America famously quipped, “Technique is cheap.” Today, it is free. Now that an artist working in glass can do whatever they want, the focus becomes what will they choose to say with it? That [was] the focus of this exhibition.”
American University Museum in the Katzen Arts Center featured the insightful and disturbing kiln cast work by Silvia Levenson. Silvia channels her identity as a survivor of the Argentinian Dirty War and her work brought crowds to the AU Museum and talks about her work in January.
Sally Resnick Rockriver
The Brentwood Arts Exchange featured works by Ellyn Weiss, Pat Goslee and glass artist Sally Resnik Rockriver in “Unmapped”, where each artist presented art as a method of discovery, responding to forms and materials and explored their qualities as method of expression. Sally Resnick Rockriver’s sculpture combines ceramic glazes with hot glass, creating a thermal reactivity.
February
Erwin Timmers investigates Robert Kincheloe’s cast glass guitar before the jam session started.
March
Otis Street Arts Project (OSAP) opened its group studio in Mt Rainier. Founded by artists Sean Hennessey and David Mordini, OSAP’s studio spaces adjacent to the Washington Glass Studio have been a welcome addition, engaging the arts community with exhibits, presentations and discussions.
The James Renwick Alliance and the Smithsonian American Art Museum hosted the annual Spring Craft Weekend in March, culminating with the Spring Craft Gala at the Willard. The soiree also honored David & Clemmer Montague with the JRA Distinguished Service Award.
Howard Cohen has been presenting a course on the American Glass Movement at the Osher Institute at Towson University. Part of the course was to view contemporary glass artists and their studio. WGS’ Michael Janis gave a talk on his work and influences and had the class visit the Glass Studio and Maurine Littleton Gallery in Georgetown.
Towson University visited Maurine Littleton Gallery in Georgetown to be enlightened about the history of glass art.
April
Michigan’s Habatat Galleries‘43rd International Glass Invitational Exhibition was held at in Habatat’s spectacular Royal Oak, MI gallery. This huge exhibition featured over 100 artists from 22 countries with each exhibiting two glass artworks.
Artist Sean Hennessey has his cast glass and video artwork featured in Pittsburgh’s Morgan Contemporary Glass show “Teapots“. 
The American Center for Physics (ACP) explored the interplay between science and art. Sarah Tanguy was the Guest Curator for the show “FLOW” that featured sculptures by Washington Glass School artists Allegra Marquart, Syl Mathis, Debra Ruzinsky, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, and Audrey Wilson.
May
The Brothers De La Torre were the JRA’s Distinguished Artists in May. Einar and Jamex de la Torre showed their process at DC Glass Works studio and the mixed media artists spoke at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Visitors to the Glass School & Gateway Arts District might have noticed some artists had their faces plastered along Rhode Island Avenue – in the good way. Created by “Art Lives Here” an organization founded in Mount Rainier, MD, that seeks to partner the arts community with local businesses, used images of the area’s artists on the construction site hoardings as a way to increase the regional visibility of the Gateway Arts District. 
As of yet, no one has defaced any of the artist’s mug shots. 
Groundbreaking for the new Prince George’s County’s new Laurel Library – with WGS ‘ winning public artwork proposal.
Artist Elizabeth Ryland Mears curated an exhibit of contemporary glass art at Roanoke, VA Jacksonville Center for the Arts. Focusing solely on glass as a medium for creativity, “Rhythms of Glass” feature artists working in the style of stained, fused, cast, blown, and flame-worked glass.
Washington Glass School was also represented in West Virginia in May. The Ice House Gallery in Berkeley, WV featured their “Glass!” exhibit – with a number of works by WGS artists, including Erwin Timmers, Laurie Brown, Veta Carney, Trish Kent, Diane Cabe and Erin Antognoli.
June
Art and glass authority William Warmus discusses reticulate aesthetics with Corey Hampson.
Wheaton Arts GlassWeekend 2015 biennial event bought together an international array of acclaimed artists, collectors, gallery dealers, and museum curators for exhibits, demonstrations and lectures. WGS artists Sean Hennessey, Michael Janis, Allegra Marquart and Tim Tate were showcased again at New Jersey’s Creative Glass Center of America.
The American Glass Guild (AGG) held their 10th Anniversary Conference in Washington, DC in June. Speakers include University of Sunderland’s Dr Cate Watkinson, and WGS’ Michael Janis.
Dr Cate Watkinson is introduced as she presents @ the AGG conference held in Washington, DC.
July
Glass sculptors Jason Chakravarty and WGS’ Sean Hennessey had a 2-man show at Santa Fe’s William & Joseph Gallery. Both artists have an affinity for mixing glass with other mediums and create intriguing and evocative narratives. The show featured the cheeky title of “Kiss My Glass”.
August
Artist Susan Taylor Glasgow talks about her glass dress/chandelier at Penland.
North Carolina’s Penland School of Craft’s 30th Annual Benefit Auction was a rousing success: it smashed the previous record for attendance. The featured work, a glass dress by Susan Taylor Glasgow, was the centerpiece of the Northlight art exhibition.
Glenn Adamson, Director Of NYC’s Museum of Arts And Design talks about Tim Tate’s sculpture.
Audrey Wilson, Laurie Brown and Erwin Timmers go for a swim in the ocean of plastic balls.
The National Building Museum presented an interactive installation designed to bring the experience of going to the beach to downtown Washington, DC. The Museum’s Great Hall was turned into a “Beach” with an “ocean” of nearly one million recyclable translucent plastic balls.
September
Washington Glass School hosted artist Joseph Cavalieri for a workshop on Silk Screening and Painting On Glass. Joseph’s class was a wonderful experience – and many have asked that we repeat this class!
Joseph Cavaleri addresses the class.
Local glass artist Chuck Ireton passed away in September. He was an active voice in the DC glass scene will be missed by all.
Chuck Ireton at WGS plate glass class.
The Society For Contemporary Craft located in Pittsburgh opened a show ““Mindful: Exploring Mental Health through Art” that examines creativity’s role in mental health. The exhibit (that runs through March 12, 2016 and then travels) has more than 30 works by 14 contemporary artists. The exhibit looks at the impact that mental illness has on society, and the role the arts can play to encourage positive self-expression and guide effective mental-health treatment.
Pope Francis came to Washington, DC for a mass and a bit of a chat. His Holiness came by the glass school and was impressed by what he saw.
Pope Francis came by the Washington Glass School and was overwhelmed by the artwork on exhibit.
October
With the Pope’s blessing, Catholic University’s Architectural Fab Lab invited Michael Janis and Tim Tate to give a lecture on glass and new technology.
Catholic University’s Architecture department posts about Tim Tate & Michael Janis.
Washington Glass School instructor and artist Debra Ruzinsky was the only artist from the United States invited to the international Glass Heap Challenge competition held this year at Sweden’s Glass Factory Museum in Boda Glasbruk.
The Washington Glass Studio worked with art consultants Directions in Art to create a major site specific artwork installation in a downtown Bethesda, MD office building. Installed on the two main entry levels, the floor-to-ceiling artwork is illuminated with full width LED panels.
Erwin Timmers directs the installation of the first phase of the Bethesda artwork installation.
Superstar glass artist Laura Donefer came by the Glass School and talked about her work and inspirations on Halloween.
Laura Donefer talks about her work.
It was all treat and no tricks!
November
Chicago’s S.O.F.A. Art Fair – featured a number of artists from the Washington Glass School showing galleries at the international art show. This year the show included a number of galleries that were outside its traditional “media specific” focus.
The website for the international art fair SOFA featured work by Michael Janis on its home page.
After a two-year, major renovation that included completely renewed infrastructure, enhanced historic features and other upgrades, the historic Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum re-opened. A centerpiece of the reopening is the special exhibition, WONDER, featuring site-specific installations by nine major contemporary artists.
December
Tim Tate had a very successful exhibition at Habatat Galleries.
The Washington Glass School got a new glass & ceramic kiln – a hot pink beauty! The winter open house was our excuse to break in the newbie with something delicious – pizza!
Erwin Timmers loads the kiln… with cheese pizza! Cooking time can be very fast – when set at 1800 F.
Whew! That was a very busy year! Ok, enough of the auld lang syne – let’s get to work on the coming year projects!
The Washington Glass School Wishes Joy & Happiness in 2016 to All!
SARASOTA–GLASS NOW!!
2016 Art Glass Weekend
Sarasota, Florida
January 28th–31st
Michigan’s Habatat Galleries and the Longboat Key Center for the Arts will be hosting their 2nd Annual Art Glass Weekend in January at the Longboat Key Center for the Arts in Sarasota Florida along with a few other locations.
Last year in American Art Collector magazine, Sarasota was identified as the “new art glass mecca” due to the collections, museums, art centers, galleries, and the growing number of artists working with glass that now live in the region. Contemporary Glass has become an exciting focus along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
The show promises an amazing 4-day glass experience which includes exhibitions, auctions, private collection tours, talks by internationally noted artists, and tours of museums.
Longboat Key Center for the Arts will host an exhibition titled “Commentaries: Stories Told In Glass”, and the show explores narrative works with amazing visual statements accompanied with commentaries written by the twenty-one invited artists. The presentation offers a rare glimpse into each artist’s inspiration. The artists will be represented by 2 works each.
ARTISTS PARTICIPATING : Stories Told in Glass
Shelly Allen, Martin Blank, Vivian Wang, Christina Bothwell, Emily Brock, Robin Grebe, Martin Janecky, Marta Klonowska, Janusz Walentynowicz, Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles, Richard Jolley, Lucy Lyons, John Miller, Deborah Moore, Clifford Rainey, David Reeke, Tim Tate, Dean Allison, Michael Janis, Loretta Yang, and Leah Wingfield.
COMMENTARIES: STORIES TOLD IN GLASS
Saturday, January 30, 2016
Opening Reception : 6:30–8:30 pm
The next day of the weekend features an exhibition designed to work in conjunction with “Commentaries” at LBKCA , titled “Beauty in the Abstract: Artists Expressions in Glass”
ARTISTS PARTICIPATING:Artists Expressions in Glass
Peter Bremers, Michael Glancy, Marvin Lipofsky, Petr Hora, Rick Beck, Peter Borkovics, Laszlo Lukacsi, Toshio Lezumi, Matthew Curtis, Kathleen Mulcahy, Michael Taylor, Toots Zynsky, Laura Donefer, Alex Bernstein, Tomas Hlavicka, Wilfried Grooten, Gyorgy Gaspar, Lino Tagliapietra, and David Huchthaus.
Michigan’s Habatat Galleries will be showing at two amazing contemporary art fairs in Florida this winter. The first one up is Art Palm Beach – in West Palm Beach, Florida
Wednesday, Jan 20, 2016 to Sunday, Jan 24, 2016
Celebrating its 19th year! Art Palm Beach is dedicated to contemporary, emerging, and modern master works of art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Over 85 international galleries will be exhibiting paintings, sculpture, as well as functional and innovative design January 20-24, 2016 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.Visit Habatat Galleries in booth #105-107 at Art Palm Beach! Habatat Galleries will be offering the finest in contemporary glass, including works by:
Shelley Muzylowski Allen, Dean Allison, Michael Behrens, Alex Bernstein, Peter Bremers, Christina Bothwell, Laura Donefer, Matthew Eskuche, Michael Glancy, Martin Janecky, Michael Janis, Steve Linn, Laszlo Lukacsi, Vivian Wang and more!
The week after this fair one can head to Sarasota, FL for Habatat Galleries’ Sarasota Glass Now weekend! Click HERE to jump to Part 2.
WGS’ Michael Janis is one of the artists featured in the Society of Contemporary Craft‘s exhibit “Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art“. This show explores the impact that mental illness is having on society, and the role the arts can play to both encourage positive self-expression and guide effective mental health promotion and treatment. The (traveling) show highlights a variety of techniques and forms that include innovative art expressions rooted in traditional craft materials, as well as art that explores unexpected relationships between craft and painting, sculpture, conceptual, and installation art. American Craft Magazine will have a short story about the show in their next issue – out early next year! The SCC has made a short video of the exhibit and their goals in the show – in the link below
Here is the new Washington Glass School Winter Class Schedule! Winter is the perfect time to come to a warm studio with a friend and create art!
See you in school!
New Winter Class Schedule
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Class 2200 – Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend
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As highlighted in Washingtonian Magazine – Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of a professional glass artist you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping and dimensional kiln casting. Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects… this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass… and you will leave with several very cool items!
Instructors Audrey Wilson
Dates Session A – Sat/Sun – Jan 9/10
Session B- Sat/Sun – Mar. 5/6
Session C – Sat/Sun. – Apr. 2/3
Time 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition $350 per student (all mtls included)
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Class 2201 – Audrey’s Super Bowl Parties!
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You like bowls? So do we! So come join Audrey Wilson at a Super Bowl Making party! Email for availability…..and let the bowl making begin!
(email the instructor Audrey directly on this one – studio@washglass.com)
(max 6 students per session; 3 bowls per student depending on size of bowl)
Instructor : Audrey Wilson
Dates : Super Bowl Parties take place on the following dates:
Jan. 23
Feb. 13
Mar. 19
Apr. 16
Time : 1:30 pm to 4pm
Tuition : $75 for each session if using float glass, $100 for Bullseye glass.
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Class 2202 – MIG Welding For Dummies!
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Ever wondered about learning to weld? Want to impress your friends, your older brother and that cute bartender? It’s easier than you think! In three evenings you will learn how to lay a bead, and handle all sorts of sharp and dangerous tools. You will be able to complete a small project and leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending and finishing. And you will get dirty!
Instructor : Erwin Timmers
Dates: Offered twice this semester
Session A – Thurs. eves in Feb. (4,11,18)
Session B – Wed. eves in Apr. (6,13,20)
Time : 7pm to 9:30pm
Tuition : $375 per student
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Class 2203 – Artistic Lighting Solutions For Your Home!
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Bring some serious color to your life, and brighten up your living space. This is the perfect way to use glass in a most practical application: a lamp. You will design your own colored glass, determine your own shape, and have your choice of several different hanging or mounting options. For considerably less than the price of a designer fixture, you can put your own name on one. Tuition includes glass, mold materials, and mounting hardware. No glass experience is needed, and electrical experience will be provided.
Instructor : Erwin Timmers
Dates : Wed. eves in Mar. (2,9,16)
Time : 7pm to 9:30pm
Tuition : $375 per student
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Class 2204 – Intro to Rubber Mold Making
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This is a great way to make 3-D elements in kilncast glass. Think of the sculptural possibilities! Our instructor for this class was on Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) faculty as Asst Professor of Glass, and represented the USA in the recent international Glass Challenge competition held at Sweden’s Glass Factory Museum.
In this short weekend class we will tackle the basics of making rubber molds for the production of parts that can be duplicated in wax. Students will be asked to bring a minimum of 3 small objects (not more than 1.5″ in any direction) to class for discussion and exploration of mold production. Undercuts, part lines, multipart mold-making, and casting of waxes for use in lost wax work will be discussed. Students will learn about a variety of materials available and how to decide what materials are best to use in different situations.
Instructor : Debra Ruzinsky
Dates : March 12-13
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300
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Class 2205 – Intro to Lost Wax
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Want a great way to make 3-D elements in kilncast glass? This dimensional class is for you! Think of the sculptural possibilities! Our instructor for this class was on Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) faculty as Asst Professor of Glass, and represented the USA in the recent international Glass Challenge competition held at Sweden’s Glass Factory Museum.
The goal in this class is to make a vessel form in glass using the lost wax process. Students will begin with a pre-made wax form that they carve into and alter. We will be asking students to research surface decoration ideas for their project before coming to class. Students will bring these ideas to class in the form of sketches, Xeroxes, magazine clippings, etc. 
Instructor : Debra Ruzinsky
Dates : April 9, 10, &16
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $400
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Class 2206- Open Studio – Work At Your Own Pace
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Already know the basics of casting or fusing? Open Studio gives each student the opportunity to work independently in a world class studio. Tuition includes a kiln firing per session, clear base glass and colored scrap glass, use of studio tools. Note: students working in dry plaster casting need to schedule cleanup date with studio coordinator.
Instructor : Studio Staff
Dates : Wed/Thurs/Sat afternoons (call to confirm appointment)
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300 for 4 sessions
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For more info – and to put deposit on class – click HERE to jump to school class website.
This Saturday, December 12, from noon-5pm is the Washington Glass School’s Winter Holiday Open House! Come in and see what the heck we’ve been doing this past year!
Debra Ruzinsky, kilnformed recycled glass, 2015. Photo credit: Anything Photographic.
Artist Debra Ruzinsky was the only US artist invited to the international Glass Competition held this year in Sweden. Back home, Debra has continued her exploration of new and exciting sculptural forms made from recycled glass. Come see the new works and why she is so excited by this direction for her artwork.
Allegra Marquart “The Princess and the Pea”, 2015, Cast, cut and painted glass shapes wall mounted over a sewn panel, 14″x 28″. Photo Credit: Anything Photographic.
Artist Allegra Marquart will be showing her new Glass and Threads pieces where she is working textile into her narrative compositions. Allegra was one of the artists showcased by Maurine Littleton Gallery at the Chicago SOFA art expo. Allegra will be showing this new work as well as a number of sculptures.
Syl Mathis has had a great year – his work was the hit of many of the area exhibits. He has a number of new works that he made especially for the Winter Sculpture Show.
Syl Mathis, kilnformed glass, mixed media, 2015
Erwin Timmers, “About Time”, blown and fused glass, found objects, steel, LED lighting. Photo credit: Anything Photographic
Artist Erwin Timmers has been busy with so many projects! Erwin has been heading up the Washington Glass Studio’s site specific artwork projects and finds the time to making incredibly thoughtful designs.
Audrey Wilson, “Mapping Intervals of Spacetime”, mixed media, glass, 2015. Photo credit: Anything Photographic.
Audrey Wilson has been going strong! After success in exhibiting at major art fairs like SOFA Chicago and Art Miami, Audrey has been kicking butts and taking names
Tim Tate; cast glass, video
Tim Tate has also been on a big winning streak! He is back from huge Art Basil Miami fairs – and has had some big developments at home – he just moved into his new place in the city.
Tim and all the artists at Washington Glass School will be joined in the Winter Open House by all the surrounding Mt Rainier artist studios. Also open on Saturday will be Artbar, ReCreative Spaces, Otis Street Arts Project, White Point Studio, Orange Door Studios, Tanglewood Works, Blue Door Studios, and more! Nearby Brentwood Arts Exchange has their craft store and will have specialty beer tastings sponsored by Town Center Market.
Washington Glass School Winter Exhibit and Open House
December 12, 2015
Noon – 5pm
The Washington Glass School has been expecting a new kiln for some time – and today we got our “newest addition” all installed today! Come check out our bundle of joy at the Open House this Saturday, Dec 12th, 2015 – we will have something in the oven!
The District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC) invites submissions for “The Drawing Board,” a group exhibition focusing on the role of drawing in a sculptor’s process.
The 2-D surface plays a different part for every 3-D artist. For some it is a crude napkin drawing or a detailed set of blueprints. Others may find their work reverting or evolving into a finished drawing, where the paper suits their needs.
DCAC seeks 2-D submissions that illustrate an important step in the 3-D studio practice.
This special exhibition is curated by artist and professorial lecturer Cory Oberndorfer.
Exhibition Date: Jan 15 – Feb 14, 2016
Entry Deadline: 11:59pm EST on Dec 4, 2015
CRITERIA
-Submit up to 3 entries, each entry no larger than 1MB.
-Submissions must include images, image list, and CV.
-All submissions are welcome, but preference will be given to CAA members. Please note your membership with your submission.
All submissions and questions send to cory@coryoberndorfer.com
DCAC is truly a grassroots organization. Emerging and underserved artists need places like DCAC to gain the experience and explore their craft to continue to be productive artists. DCAC is truly the home of the alternative, the unusual and the unique. The DCAC depends heavily upon the financial contributions of individuals to keep their doors open. Annual membership is the best way to show support and keep the DCAC programs alive. Click HERE to jump to DCAC page.
The HUGE Miami Art Fairs opens December 1st – and the art world is now out in sunny Florida viewing an incredible array of great contemporary art. Approximately twenty art fairs are organized around the week and they’re located in both Miami and Miami Beach. Art Basel Miami Beach – held at the Miami Beach Convention Center is the largest art fair of the week, featuring more than 250 top galleries from around the world.
Scope Art Fair features Tim Tate’s work at Habatat Galleries space.
Washington Glass School is represented at the international art fairs by Tim Tate (showing with Habatat Galleries at Scope) and Audrey Wilson (represented by Alida Anderson Art Projects at Context). Last year, Washington City Paper reviewed the show’s impact on the artists, including comments from Audrey Wilson – click here to jump to the City Paper article online.