JRA Day is a one-day showcase for artists who are members of the James Renwick Alliance. This event gives the public an opportunity to see and purchase work by nearly 40 artists in ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, wood and other media. It’s great for holiday
shopping, and admission is free. Organized by J.G. Harrington and Jere Gibber.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
11am – 5pm
The Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase
7931 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
“Inspire” public art sculpture by Sean Hennessey and John Henderson for Baltimore’s Lots Alive Outdoor Community Art Program.
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and the Baltimore Office of Sustainability’s Baltimore Green Network outdoor community art program, “Lots Alive” sought the creation of temporary outdoor artworks sited on vacant lots along Baltimore’s Park Heights Ave. Designed in partnership with Mayor Catherine E. Pugh’s Baltimore Green Network, the “Lots Alive” project aims to breathe life into underutilized vacant spaces through creative interventions. Six artists were selected and Sean Hennessey and John Henderson collaborated (as H&H Collective) on a cast glass and steel sculpture titled ‘Inspire’.
Artist Sean Hennessey installs the sculpture “Inspire” on site.
The work created is an internally illuminated, four-sided obelisk with panels mounted into the framework. Using cast glass, Sean and John have created a strong sculpture for Baltimore. John created dimensional imagery using Adinkra symbols. For Sean – the work is a bit of a farewell love letter to Baltimore as he moves to Seattle. This is one of the only pieces Sean had shown in Baltimore City since his first solo show in 2006. His narrative concept for the artwork story was to have the bottom panels on the sculpture represent a wanting or dream, with the upper panels represent fulfillment.
Detail of cast glass inset panel in H&H Collective sculpture “Inspire”.
The sculpture has solar powered LED lighting to make the artwork command attention at night. The artwork is located at 4215 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD.
View of sculpture “Inspire” located at 4215 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD.
Hugs and farewell to one of our own – Sean Hennessey – as he and his lovely family move to the other glass center, Seattle, Washington. Sean – much luck, peace and love as you take over that embark on new adventures!
Soon its that time of year….the annual WGS Contemporary Invitational, one of the most eagerly anticipated holiday arts events in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia)!
WGS Contemporary artists Tim Tate, Laura Beth Konopinski, Michael Janis, April Shelford, Patricia de Poel Wilberg, Max DeMulder, Debbi LoCicero and others will be exhibiting their artwork, along with Montgomery County’s “Outstanding Artist” – Erwin Timmers!
Santa plans the open house logistics on his last visit to the Glass School.
From the small child to the serious art collector, the Holiday Open House fits everyone’s taste. The event features fun gift ideas and snacks, with the artists of the Washington Glass School and the surrounding arts venues and studios. Mark your calendars (in RED) for Saturday, December 15th, from noon til 5pm.
SOFA 2018: Discovering New Concepts of Innovation and Design
Chicago, Illinois (November 1 – November 4, 2018) – This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design (SOFA) Fair in Chicago, which takes place at the landmark Navy Pier.
Laura Beth Konopinski, “Beneath your walls the rubble exposed”, mixed media glass, Alida Anderson Art Projects, booth #A39. (photo by Pete Duvall)
Washington Glass School artists Laura Beth Konopinski, Tim Tate and Michael Janis will have their new works featured at the critically acclaimed expo. The Chicago-based art expo is traditionally dedicated to three-dimensional art and design.
Tim Tate, Mrs. Dalloway : Morning (L) & Mrs Dalloway : Evening (R), 32″dia each. Habatat Galleries booth #A25
Michigan’s Habatat Galleries will feature new works by Tim Tate and Michael Janis, in their space #A25. Tim’s new infinity mirrors have become much more sculptural and dynamic – they must be seen in person to experience the reflected themes of empowerment and hope.
Tim Tate, “I Stand With My Sisters”, mixed media, LED, glass. Habatat Galleries booth #A25. (photo by Pete Duvall)
Michael Janis has been creating a new series that will debut at the Chicago SOFA art fair, where his realistic imagery is offset with color and abstracted forms. His work can be seen also at Habatat Galleries space, #A25. Michael’s work will also be in a special exhibit at the fair: Intersection: Art & Life that features works by artists featured in a new book by Kevin Wallace, director of California’s Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. His book explores the historical parallels between art and life, with the arts playing a central role in exploring identity, spirituality, our relationship with the environment and developing technologies.
Michael Janis, “In My Dreams”, fused glass, 12″ x 16″, Habatat Galleries booth #A25. (photo by Pete Duvall)
Michael Janis, “Forever”, “Talk to Me”, “Forever”, 12″ x 16″ each. Habatat Galleries booth #A25. (photos by Pete Duvall).
Laura Beth Konopinski will be showing her new narrative mixed media sculptures. After a successful exhibit at the Art Miami Fairs last year, she has been creating new works that have already received critical acclaim. Laura Beth can be found at Alida Anderson Art Projects space, #A39
Each year, SOFA Chicago opens to eager crowds!
Location: SOFA CHICAGO
Address: Navy Pier, Festival Hall
600 E. Grand, Entrance 2
Chicago, IL 60611
Erwin Timmers – artist/father/superhero. And now Montgomery County Outstanding Artist. (photo by Pete Duvall)
Next Monday – October 29, 2018, @ 7:00 pm, Maryland’s Montgomery County will honor Washington Glass School’s Erwin Timmers as MOCO’s Outstanding Artist. The County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts & Humanities are the most prestigious honors conferred by Montgomery County on individual artists, scholars, organizations and cultural patrons.
Registration to the event is Free and Open to All – CLICK HERE.
Montgomery County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities
Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus
7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
With a gallery opening that works well with the Chicago SOFA audience, Illinois Wesleyan University’s Ames School of Art will feature the work of glass artists Lindy Ihrman and Leslie Speicher.
On Thursday, Nov. 1 at 1:30 p.m., Ihrman and Speicher will visit Illinois Wesleyan for a reception and artist talk on their exhibit “Strata,” which uses kiln-formed glass to create a sense of narrative through imagery and juxtaposition.
Lindy Ihrman, ” Transcend”, digital photography, enamel and kiln cast glass; 15 x 9 x 2½ inches.
Ihrman’s distinctive art style blends layers of glass sheets and digital imagery to create three-dimensional pieces that generally seek to convey a story. A glass artist from West Michigan for over fifteen years, she has had her work featured in exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Britain. Ihrman said of her works in the show “I have always been interested in how we connect with the natural world around us. My sculptures draw the viewer in to a particular story where light and dark, now and then, time and space are all unfolding.”
Chicago-based glass artist Leslie Speicher is notable for her distinct emphasis on color, form and texture when handcrafting her pieces. She also runs her own art studio, Chicago Glass Collective, which offers workshops, lectures and studio space for both beginning and experienced artists to improve their skills within a community. Prior to opening her studio in 2012, Speicher taught 3D Design at the University of Miami and glassmaking at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Leslie Speicher, “Districts, Demographics and Algorithms”, fused glass
Speicher’s work in this exhibit focuses on the function as well as the perception of networks grids and boundaries in everyday life. Using her hometown of Chicago as the basis of her series, she examines the system of gerrymandering (the practice of manipulating the boundaries of an area) by creating transparent layered glass maps and graphs made with fused glass and stringers. Her panels strive to examine and dissect they systems that distort and affect the concept of “one person, one vote”.
STRATA
The Merwin & Wakely Galleries at Illinois Wesleyan University Ames School of Art
6 Ames Plaza West
Bloomington, Illinois 61701
Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday: 12 – 4 pm Tuesday evening: 7 – 9 pm • Saturday and Sunday: 1 – 4 pm
Proof that everything gets better with Glass – awards are piling up with all associated with the Washington Glass School! As mentioned in earlier post, Eric M. Hess – a former Resident Artist here – was just awarded a 2018 Stanislav Libenský Award in Prague! Eric was the only US citizen that was selected as a finalist. Well Done and Congratulations Eric!!
The Stanislav Libenský Award finalists and winners line up at the Prague Gallery ceremony. Eric Hess was awarded the 3rd Place Award.
The Stanislav Libenský Award (established in 2009) is the world’s only international glass exhibition with graduates call for entry. It is named for Stanislav Libenský, long considered as the most outstanding Czech glasswork artist. The competition serves as an international presentation of young glass artists. The aim of the competition is to help the development of glass art in the young scene and to compare different approaches and methods.
Eric M. Hess – Winner of a 2018 Stanislav Libenský Award.
Maryland’s Montgomery County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities Honors WGS’ Erwin Timmers!
The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) has announced the recipients of the 2018 County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. Established in 2002, these awards honor community leaders whose work in the cultural sector has made an impact in Montgomery County, MD. Among this year’s award recipients of the County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities is Washington Glass School Co-Director Erwin Timmers.
Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett will present nine community leaders with awards in recognition of significant contributions to Montgomery County’s arts and cultural community during a special award ceremony held at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus.
“I am honored to be able to pay tribute to these fabulous artists and organizations,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “By their work, they lift us up and educate and inspire us. They make us laugh and make us cry. They make a good Montgomery County even better.”
“It is an honor to celebrate these nine award recipients who remind us of the deep impact the arts and humanities have on our community. The arts and humanities bring grace, hope, understanding, and perspective to our world,” said Suzan Jenkins, CEO of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
The 2018 County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities will be held on Monday, October 29, 2018 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Takoma/Silver Spring Campus in Takoma Park, Maryland, located at 7995 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910. This event is free and open to the public. Ticket reservations are required and can be made online here.
Finally our Tim Tate is being recognized for the genius he is! He was just named finalist for “Excellence in Visual Arts” by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities. The Mayor’s Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on individual artists, teachers, nonprofit organizations and patrons of the arts. Artists and Organizations are recognized in six categories: Excellence in Visual Arts, Excellence in Performing Arts, Excellence in Creative Industries, Excellence in Arts Education, Excellence in the Humanities and the Larry Neal Writers’ Awards. The Award Ceremony will take place Tuesday, Sept 25th @ 7pm 
