Reception : Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 6:00PM-8:00PM; 9 N Centre St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Maryland’s Allegany Arts Council and its Saville Gallery feature WGS Co-Director and eco-artist Erwin Timmers for his solo exhibition, Reflections in Glass, to take place February 5-26, 2022. A Public Opening will take place on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 6:00PM-8:00PM
Reflections in Glass features the environmental themed glass artwork of Erwin Timmers, Co-founder and director of the Washington Glass School and one of the DC area’s leading eco-artists. Recycling, waste, and the environment are recurring themes in his work.
2022 is the International Year of Glass AND the 60th Anniversary of American Studio Glass Movement.
The United Nations has declared 2022 as the International Year of Glass (#IYOG2022) with programming occurring worldwide to celebrate all aspects of glass: studio and public art glass, architecture, history, technology, industry, and science. This exciting journey began in 2018. Support came from 1500 Universities and research centers, societies and associations, museums, artists, educators, manufacturers and companies in 78 countries on 5 continents.
The official kickoff will take place on February 10-11, 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland at the UN Palace of Nations. Among other scheduled activities, a National Day of Glass event is planned for April 5-7, 2022 in Washington, D.C. that will feature the North American glass industry, art community, government agencies and educational systems that rely on glass.
Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG) is a member of the IYOG2022 International Steering Committee and is tasked, along with The American Ceramic Society (ACerS), with leading promotion efforts around the art component of this global initiative. To accomplish this, AACG requests that U.S. museums, glass centers and schools, artists, regional glass collector’s groups, and other entities with a focus on or interest in contemporary glass assist by sharing information about exhibitions, panel discussions and IYOG2022 celebrations with admin@contempglass.org and https://ceramics.org/iyog. These programs will then be included on the AACG event calendar of art-related glass events throughout 2022 so all can enjoy.
“This is an extraordinary time to celebrate the material of glass in the arts, science, technology, communications, architecture, and sustainability of the environment on a global basis,” said Laurence Sibrack, board president of Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass. “It is our hope that artists and art institutions and organizations will join us in sharing IYOG2022 programming. Simultaneously, we will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the American Studio Glass movement in 2022.”
Environmental Justice Juried Exhibition Grant now open!
DC’s Commision on the Arts + Humanities invites District-based artists to apply for their new Juried Exhibition Grant! (Note: Must be a resident of Washington, DC)
Application deadline: Friday, January 21, 4:00 pm
Exhibition dates: May 9 – July 1, 2022
Exhibition theme: Environmental Justice. In their work, artists may address local and/or global questions of ecology, environmentalism, biodiversity, climate change, stewardship, the relationship of climate justice to social justice, and/or other related concepts and issues.
The Corning Museum of Glass in New York is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: glass. With almost a half a million visitors from around the world each year, the Museum’s campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the top glassworking schools (The Studio) in the world.
One of the features of the Studio is Corning’s Artist Residencies. The Artist-in-Residence programs at The Studio provide artists the opportunity to research and experiment with new techniques and subjects in their work. Artists-in-Residence are invited to utilize the resources of the Museum’s campus including The Studio, the extensive collections and archives of the Museum, and the Rakow Research Library.
Originally from Washington, DC, Cheryl now lives and makes art in San Francisco, CA. Her art has been featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, The San Francisco Chronicle, MerciSF and the San Francisco Business Times.
The BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) Residency is Corning Museum’s way of actively fostering a culture and community of inclusion that promotes, respects, and celebrates this community.
Artists spend a month at The Studio exploring new directions in glass art or expanding on their current bodies of work while using the immense resources of the world’s leading glass museum. During their residency, each artist gives a presentation about their work during a free public event in The Studio Lecture Room.
Congratulations Cheryl! Looking forward to your presentation and the works from the Residency!!
This Thursday, Dec 16th, from 12 noon- 8pm, join us at the Holiday Open House at Arts’tination @ National Harbor. Prince George’s County Arts & Humanities Council (PGAHC) features artworks by local artists and has a space dedicated to artworks by artists of the Washington Glass School. Shown cast glass by Erwin Timmers.
Prince George’s County Arts’tination space at 162 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD
Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) features artwork by artists of the Washington Glass School in “Arts’tination” – their newest art space dedicated to supporting local artists and curating immersive creative experiences – located 162 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD.
Washington Glass School space at Arts’tination.
Featuring works for sale by Washington Glass School artists: Erwin Timmers, April Shelford, Vibah Bhatia, John Henderson, Patricia De Poel Wilberg, Trish Kent, and Diane Cabe – check them out!
Vibah Bhatia’s adorable plates are a steal!!Glass artworks by John Henderson and Diane Cooper Cabe .Erwin Timmers’ cast glass hand sculptures are sure to enchant all!Arts’tination is at 62 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD 20744
Kate Barfield, Urban Season, 2020, Cast Glass, 17 in x 17 in
The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA has opened their 7th Annual Glass National — an exhibition highlighting contemporary functional and sculptural glass artworks being created throughout the country.
April Shelford, Almondine, 2020, Glass, 8 ½ in x 8 ½ in 2 in
This year’s juror, Jack Wax -Professor of Glass @ VCU, reviewed over 80 artworks and select 28 which incorporate a combination of a contemporary spirit and technical mastery of the material. Glass National is a unique opportunity to view and experience a variety of styles and techniques encompassing the glass artwork field today. Three Resident Artists from Washington Glass School – Trish Kent, April Shelford and Kate Barfield – were selected to be part of the exhibit! Congratulations All!
The exhibit is on view at the Workhouse Arts Center Vulcan Gallery from October 23, 2021 – January 9, 2022. Reception: January 8th, 2022, 6 – 8 PM. The gallery is currently open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11:00am – 6:00pm and Sunday Noon – 5:oopm. The Workhouse Arts Center is located at: 9518 Workhouse Way Lorton, VA 22079
Trish Kent, The Divided States of America #3, 2020, Glass, mixed media, 19″x 14″
Jurors’ Statement:
There is quite an idiosyncratic nature to the application and implementation of individual “choice” in the jurying of a small exhibition of “artworks.”
I find this especially true when the parameters set forth limit the “words” that I person may “speak.” That is a novel that is circumscribed in advance to never employ the letter E certainly can “say” many things…but can it in the end range quite as far or as deep as a book without such constraints? We all make “rules” for ourselves in our studios, other-wise we’d quickly be overwhelmed by the entire world being invited in through the door! And…I know as well that certain of us welcome working under the onus of restraint. It is somehow freeing! Yo-yo Ma chooses not to play all of the instruments in the orchestra but to truly master but one.”
(FYI- the live event starts at 1 pm- and won’t show until that time- just wait if you arrive early!) ?
From the AACG website:
The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass 2021 honoree is Tim Tate who is being recognized by AACG as an individual of outstanding accomplishment in the field of contemporary glass art whose contributions have been significant and important in the field. Tim will be honored, both for his groundbreaking artwork and for his activism, speaking through his art about various social issues. This program is open to the public through live streaming on the Art Alliance YouTube channel.
John Henderson; Peoples’ Community Lutheran Church. Dimensions: 8ft x 18”, Glass/cast glass and cloth on wood panels. Title: God Is Great
John Henderson, glass artist sculptor (and a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pimlico) recently created, designed, and installed an outdoor art sculpture for People’s Community Lutheran Church of Baltimore.
John Henderson; “God is Great”; Glass/cast glass and cloth on wood panels.
The sculpture represents all of the African Descent congregations’ connectiveness, in the DEMD Synod.
John Henderson; “God Is Great” detail.
The artwork, titled “God is Great” consists of kilnfused glass Adinkra symbols, layered on Kente fabric and dimensional cast glass panels measuring 16″x16″. The symbol called “Gye Nyame” represents the supremacy of God.
Bishop Gohl, of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA enthused about the newest public art sculpture.
Congratulations to John and the Peoples’ Community Lutheran Church!
“Essential Connections” by Washington Glass Studio, 18’L x 4’H, cast glass, LED. 2021
The Process: Public Art – “Essential Connections” Washington Glass Studio (WGS) –J-Sol Apartment Complex, 4000 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA
Daytime view of “Essential Connections” sculpture in Arlington, VA.
Jefferson Apartment Group with Mitsui Fudosan America developed the Arlington, VA corner site formerly home to the sports bar CarPool into a 22-story, LEED Gold-certified high-rise called J-Sol, with residential units atop ground-floor retail and parking. Working with Toronto, Canada art consultant Oni-One Sourcing owner Paula Fleck, the preliminary designs were initiated in April of 2019, well before the pandemic lockdowns. Different concepts for both design and location of artwork to enhance the new J-Sol residential development were presented to the client.
Original concept sketch
Erwin Timmers and Michael Janis review the structural steel.
Framing the corner location of the new plaza at Fairfax Drive and North Quincy St. in Arlington, VA, the sculpture is made of almost 100 individual hand cast glass panels set into a bold geometric framework of acute angles that references the sculptural qualities of the new J-Sol building. The sculpture defines the location and creates a new sense of place with the layering of color, light and shadow. Merging architecture and design with their signature material, glass, the overall presentation of the sculpture is aimed to reflect our modern society and urban space.
Meticulously fitting glass into framework.
The varieties of techniques and layers of colors provide complex visual experiences is part of the works’ aesthetic pleasure.
An exploration of color, texture and pattern overlay.
The inspiration for the Arlington public artwork, “Essential Connections” is how much our world has changed. The artwork draws inspiration from our attempt to find new and innovative ways to reach out and connect with each other.
Night view of “Essential Connections” sculpture by Washington Glass Studio.
As WGS Co-Director Tim Tate noted of the work: “…Our goal was to create something memorable out of daily patterns of coming and going home.” The rainbow mix of colors – each a strength unto itself – is much more powerful in combined with others. The color palette itself references nature in its yellows, blues and greens, the sun, the water and sky, the grass and trees. Stylized elements of nature will be incorporated into several the crafted glass panels – emphasizing our renewed awareness of our environment.
The colors and patterns define this public space in Arlington, VA.
The artwork’s dynamic shape forms a translucent cornerstone of sorts – inviting all into the plaza for walking, sitting, and all manner of activities conducted in the park. The new artwork help create a place for people to enjoy, feel connected and remember. Using the timeless fundamentals of light and color to define the space we made a vibrant backdrop to define the area with exuberance and life.
The public response has been immediate – during installation many passerbys came up excitedly to the sculpture – wanting to take “selfie shots” at Arlington’s newest landmark.
The artworks’ youngest fan points out their favorite glass panel inset. DC art enthusiast Anthony Adero strikes a casual pose at the new sculpture.
Project Details:
Location: 4000 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22203 (N Quincy St & Fairfax Dr) Washington Glass Studio Public Art Team: Michael Janis, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Christina Helowicz.
Erwin Timmers and Christina Helowicz the sculpture’s internal LED lighting.
Structural Steel: Criss Brothers Number of Glass Tile Insets: 97
WGS installation team L-R: Michael Janis, Ryan Henderson, Christina Helowicz, Erwin Timmers
