What a great visit! This Monday, the Washington Glass School welcomed DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Ward 5 Commissioner Cecily Habimana!
It was an honor to show her around the studio—sharing how we connect with our community through glass art classes, support the local arts scene, and create powerful public art.
Thank you, Commissioner Habimana, for your energy, support, and passion for the arts in DC!
Washington Glass School resident artist John Henderson’s captivating glass artwork is featured in the upcoming exhibition The Evidence of Things Now Seen, presented by Black Artists of DC (BADC) and Tres Raíces Arts. This powerful show, running from Saturday, May 24, 2025, to Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater (1101 6th Street, SW, Washington, DC), celebrates the richness of Black life through themes of belonging, equality, legacy, liberation, love, and joy.
Curated by Gia Harewood, the exhibition draws inspiration from the profound legacy of American writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin, whose work fearlessly illuminated truths about identity and humanity. John Henderson’s glass art, known for its color and emotive depth, resonates deeply with these themes, offering viewers a unique perspective on the Black experience through the transformative medium of glass.
A special talk about the works will take on June 11, 2025, from 6:30–7:30 PM, about the stories behind the works. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience John Henderson’s artistry and the collective brilliance of BADC and Tres Raíces Arts in this inspiring exhibition.
Event Details: The Evidence of Things Now Seen
Exhibition Dates: May 24–June 17, 2025
Location: Arena Stage, 1101 6th Street, SW, Washington, DC
Talk: June 11, 2025, 6:30–7:30 PM
Celebrate Black creativity and explore “The Evidence of Things Now Seen”. Click HERE to see online catalog of the show!
#WashingtonGlassSchool #JohnHenderson #BlackArtistsDC #TresRaicesArts #ArenaStage #GlassArt #BADC
Washington Glass School resident artist Patricia de Poel Wilberg will be featured in the upcoming “New Connections in Glass” exhibit at the Ice House Gallery in Berkeley Springs, WV. Curated by Maureen Storey, the show runs from May 30 to July 27, 2025, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, May 31, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.
The exhibition brings together eight exceptional glass artists exploring diverse techniques and perspectives within the medium. Each artist offers a unique lens into the many ways glass can be transformed, manipulated, and used to tell visual stories.
Patricia de Poel Wilberg’s work continues to captivate with her painterly approach to glass. For this exhibit, Patricia debuts a vibrant new series of figurative panels celebrating noted women artists throughout history. These tributes aren’t just portraits—they’re rich, layered interpretations that reference each subject’s distinctive art and style, translated into glass.
Using vitreous enamels and kiln-formed glass, Patricia meticulously builds her panels through multiple firings, fusing and reforming components to create dynamic narratives. Her newest works honor the legacies of women whose creative voices have shaped the art world—brought to life in color, texture, and light.
“I wanted to show how the spirit of these artists can be reinterpreted through the language of glass,” Patricia explains. “Each panel is a conversation between their work and mine.”
Featured artists in the show include:
Elizabeth Braun
Rachel Brooks
Mark Hill
Sharon Moffitt
Patricia de Poel Wilberg
Laurie Madsen Snarr
Maureen Storey
Nancy Weisser
We encourage everyone to make the trip to the scenic Ice House Gallery to see this remarkable collection and to support Patricia and her fellow artists. It’s sure to be a stunning and inspiring celebration of innovation in glass.
New Connections in Glass
May 30 – July 27, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 31, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Ice House Gallery
138 Independence Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
www.icehousecoop.com
Join us in celebrating Graciela Granek with these photos from her farewell lunch at Washington Glass School and her time at the school! 🥂 Since 2020, Graciela has been a cherished resident artist, instructor, and friend. She’s now heading back to Tel Aviv to reunite with family and launch her own studio. Wishing her endless creativity and success!
Follow her on IG @graciela.wajser.granek
Step into the world of architecture, design, and history at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Located at 401 F Street NW, just four blocks from the National Mall.
Washington Glass School Event! :
A Maker’s Workshop: The Art of Mosaics
Join Graciela Granek from The Washington Glass School for a hands-on mosaic workshop inspired by the Visible Vault exhibition. Two sessions are available on May 17: 10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. (NOTE: Both sessions are now SOLD OUT!!)
Don’t miss the chance to explore the stories of the world we design and build. Visit the National Building Museum and be inspired!
Glass53 is the largest and oldest annual glass art experience in the world. Now in its 53rd year, Habatat Galleries in Royal Oak, Michigan, presents an extraordinary gathering of the work of over 100 artists from over 30 countries. Each artist is a visionary whose mastery of glass transcends mere materiality to
embody light, texture, and form in ways that captivate the soul. Habatat seeks to honor not only the works themselves but also the journeys of those who create them. This year’s exhibition is not just a showcase; it’s a living narrative of glass as an ever-evolving art form. From the grand halls of the world’s most prestigious museums to the cultural zeitgeist, glass has emerged from the shadows of traditional craftsmanship into the forefront of contemporary discourse. The featured artists are pioneers and storytellers, each bringing a unique perspective to the medium through bold abstraction, intricate realism, or conceptual deconstruction.
Glass53 Booklet (learn all about Glass53): Click HERE
Glass 53 Invited Artists: Shelley M. Allen, Anthony Amoako-attah, Herb Babcock, Michael Behrens, Alex Bernstein, Martin Blank, Jen Blazina, Christina Bothwell, Geoffrey Bowton, Jannah Bowlus, Latchezar Boyadjiev, Peter Bremers, Karen Browning, Nancy Callan, Eunsuh Choi, Deanna Clayton, Amber Cowan, Simone Crestani, Christopher Day, Cheryl Derricotte, Minhi England, Hannah Gibson, Susan Taylor Glasgow, Wilfried Grootens, Baldwin & Guggisberg, Kim Harty, David Huchthausen, Krista Israel, Tim Jaeger, Michael Janis, Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen, Richard Jolley, Brent Kee Young, Claire Kelly, Kelly O’Dell, Steve Klein, Vladimira Klumpar, Eriko Kobayashi, Laura Kramer, Jiyong Lee, Steve Linn, Littleton & Vogel, László Lukácsi, Boldizsár Lukácsi, Lucy Lyon, Dylan Martinez, Robert Mickelsen, John Miller, Lukas Mjartan, James Mongrain, Karin Mørch, Josepha Gasch-Muche, Kathleen Mulcahy, Barbara Nanning, David Patchen, Maytas Pavlik, Sibylle Peretti, Pohlman & Knowles, Stephen Rolfe Powell, Colin Reid, Kait Rhoads, Bruno Romunelli, Marlene Rose, Martin Rosol, Richard Royal, Toland Sand, Thomas Scoon, John Sharvin, Judith Schaechter, Jeremy Sinkus, Paul Stankard, Ethan Stern, April Surgent, Lino Tagliapietra, Takizawa Kazuki, Michael Taylor, Bensen & Theofanous, Stephanie Trenchard, Carmen Vetter, Elliot Walker, & Trina Urrata Weintraub.
May 3, 2025 – Sep 19, 2025
Habatat Galleries
4400 Fernlee Ave
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Email: info@habatat.com
Phone: 248-554-0590
Join us at Washington Glass School with instructor April Shelford on Wednesday, April 23, from 6:30-9:00 pm for a fun, hands-on fused glass adventure! Craft your own 8” x 4” water-tight pocket vase—perfect for brightening up walls, windows, or even fences with vibrant charm.
These cheerful vases are ideal for fresh flower cuttings, dried blooms, herbs, incense sticks, or simply left plain to shine. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, they make a heartfelt, handmade gift (hint, hint)!
In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll: ✨ Learn to use thick fiber paper to shape the “pocket” of your vase
✨ Explore glass cutting techniques and design tips
✨ Create a unique piece with guidance tailored to your skill level
No experience needed—come play with glass and let your creativity bloom! Sign up today at Washington Glass School and make something beautiful. Spaces fill fast — sign up today and bring a friend!
Click here to jump to class listing online.
Washington, DC’s new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center opens its doors to the public (today, April 15th) — and welcomes visitors with stunning public art, including vibrant glass works by Washington Glass Studio.
As featured in East of the River News by writer Elizabeth O’Gorek, the installations reflect the resilience and creativity of the community. One piece was created by Washington Glass Studio, and another striking glass work was made at the Washington Glass School by artist Imar Hutchins, assisted by Patricia de Poel Wilberg.
Together, these works celebrate healing, color, and the transformative power of art in public spaces.
Click here to jump to the East of the River article. Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center Opens 12:01 a.m. April 15 – East of the River
The Gateway Arts District is the largest in the region, but it is easy to underestimate as many of its artists work in spaces tucked away or without public hours. An exciting element of this event is that visitors can see spaces not always open, view artists’ work and workspaces, and talk to the artists about their practice on this special day of open houses.
The district roughly encompasses a two mile stretch from Mt. Rainier to Hyattsville with most locations on or around Route 1/Rhode Island Avenue. Best to start at the Washington Glass School at 3700 Otis Street. While some intrepid art goers choose to walk, Free shuttles will be operated along the corridor to help people cover more ground. Street parking is available as well at Lots 1, 3, and 4 in Hyattsville. Shuttle routes and a parking map will be available on the OST website.
In addition to visual art, many neighboring businesses will be poised to welcome visitors for food, drink, and further discovery of the many small and creative places within the Gateway Arts District.
After the open studio tour, all are welcome to the outdoor afterparty from 5 pm – 7 pm hosted by Broken Square and featuring music, skateboarding, and a food truck at 3698 Wells Ave, Mount Rainier, MD. If something quieter is your preference, head to Portico Gallery at 3807 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood, MD 20722 for an end of the day porch hang.
Thank you to our sponsors Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, MiXT Food Hall, and Gateway CDC.
The event is FREE and open to the public. Visit https://www.gatewaycdc.org/ost2025 for a map of participating artists and studios to plan your self-guided tour.
The 2025 Creative Crafts Council (CCC) 35th Biennial Exhibition presents 169 outstanding artworks by craftspeople from the Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia region. See top crafts in ceramics, enamel, fiber, glass, metal, mixed media, wood, book arts, and jewelry and wearable art. On March 14, 2025 36 artworks received awards for their makers’ outstanding efforts.
Washington Glass School was well represented, with works by Kate Barfield, Erwin Timmers and April Shelford included in the exhibition.
Saturday March 29, and April 26, 2025: Meet the Makers – come meet crafts people from the CCC Guilds and learn more about their crafts at the Strathmore Mansion 11am-1 pm
35th Biennial Creative Crafts Exhibition of Fine Crafts
Saturday March 15 – Saturday May 24, 2025
The Strathmore Mansion
10701 Rockville Pike
North Bethesda, MD 20852