Laurel Library’s Grand Opening Features Public Art Sculpture by Washington Glass Studio

玻璃艺术雕塑

Washington Glass Studio sculpture at the new Laurel Library. Photo by Pete Duvall.

The Washington Glass Studio (WGS) has recently completed installation of a community based site specific public art commission for Prince George’s County Laurel Library. The new building was designed by Grimm + Parker Architects, with the grand opening of the new library scheduled for November 28, 2016. Features of the spectacular new library include an inset floor area in the children’s section where kids will get to peer at a replica velociraptor skeleton through the glass floor. Just a few miles away from the library site is Dinosaur Park, where scientists work to excavate fossils from the early Cretaceous period. Dinosaur imagery was also included as a theme running through the glass artwork panels.

WGS design proposal sketch

WGS design proposal sketch.

WGS was awarded the commission to make the outdoor sculpture at the front of the new library by Maryland’s Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC). The Art in Public Places Program RFQ sought out artwork that would provide world class artwork for Prince George’’s County residents and visitors. 

WGS proposal for the project was a 17’H internally illuminated glass and steel sculpture that incorporates glass panels made by the community,residents and stakeholders of the Laurel, MD community. The engineering of the steel framework involved detailed analysis of the structure and its components. WGS worked with structural engineer Holbert Apple to ensure the integrity of the design.

Detailed analysis of sculpture was part of the design development process.

Detailed analysis of sculpture was part of the design development process.

Over 100 glass inset panels were made during the series of workshops held at the Washington Glass School. The Baltimore Sun newspaper featured a story by reporter Lisa Philip about the process. 

A series of community glass quilting bees were held at the Washington Glass School for the library during the summer.

A series of community glass quilting bees were held at the Washington Glass School for the library during the summer. Photo by Lisa Philip/Baltimore Sun

 

 

The artwork’s title “Involve Me and I Learn”  is based on a phrase attributed to US Founding Father Benjamin Franklin (who also opened the first US public library). The name references the engagement of the community. The neighborhood and the Laurel Library supporters had joined in making the individual glass panels in workshops at the Washington Glass School.Laurel_Library.artists.washington_glass_school.studio.sculpture.public_art.project.american.great.commission.site_specific.fused.jpg

The resulting variations in each tile’s imagery and technique embody the artist’s concept in bringing the people from the diverse community together to create a cohesive and vibrant sculpture. 

 

 

The artwork inset kiln-formed glass panels express the personality and the  individuality of everyone involved in the project.

The artwork’s internally illuminated kiln-formed glass panels express the personality and the individuality of everyone involved in the project. Photo by Pete Duvall

Project  Information

Artist: Washington Glass Studio 

Design Team: Laurie Brown, Michael Janis, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Audrey Wilson. With Josh Hershman and Pierre Browning.

Structural Engineer : Holbert Apple Assoc Inc 

玻璃艺术雕塑 WGS_Laurel Library.MD.aipp.washington_glass_studio.public_art.sculpture.site.specific.sustainable.design.usa.jpg

Photo by Pete Duvall

Laurel Library
507 7th Street, Laurel, MD 20707

Grand Opening / Dedication – 10:30 AM, Monday, November 28, 2016 – All are invited!

Washington Glass School Artists Exhibiting at Art Miami

img-locationAt the end of the month, the international contemporary art world descends on Miami, Florida for the infamous Art Basel Miami Beach exposition, and its numerous satellite events. The exhibit is shaping up to be more outrageous than ever. Art Basel will open at the Miami Beach Convention Center. While Art Basel Miami Beach is undeniably the main event, it’s spawned more than 20 satellite fairs, stretching from Midtown to Downtown. 

Tim Tate, "Pink Nebula", 18 x 18 x 4, Silver Plated and Colored Frame, Mirror, LED's

Tim Tate, “Pink Nebula”, 18 x 18 x 4, Silver Plated and Colored Frame, Mirror, LED’s

Scope Miami Beach Nov. 29th to Dec. 4th

Tim Tate will be having a solo exhibition at Scope Miami (Alida Anderson Projects in Booth D29). Tim’s new work entices the viewer to look deeply into and completely experience his windows into alternative dimensions. 

Context Art Miami Nov. 29th to Dec. 4th

Audrey Wilson will be showing at Context Art Miami from Nov 29th to Dec 4th (Alida Anderson Art Projects in Booth #326).

modern glass art

Audrey Wilson, “The Small Hadron Collider”, 2016
Neon, glass, led, mixed
42 × 6 × 6 in

CONTEXT Art Miami, along with the 27th edition of Art Miami, commences on November 29, 2016, with the highly anticipated Opening Night VIP Preview.

If you are in sunny FLA – be sure to see their works! Posting and hashtag-ing is encouraged!