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James Renwick Alliance ‎Foon Sham Lecture – Distinguished Artist Series

Posted on April 19, 2017 by admin |

Foon Sham, Escape I, Tunnel, 2016. Pine, 14 x 62 x 5 ft.

Artist Foon Sham’s focus is on wood in its many forms. Using small bits, he creates large scale vessels which take on shapes like tornados or mountains, baskets, or even a giant vase-like piece which viewers can sit inside. His smaller works echo these larger structures, exploring the intersection of natural vs. manmade, permanence vs. instability, geometric vs. organic. Foon is a professor at University of Maryland, and exhibits nationally and internationally.

The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) presents the annual Distinguished Artist Series with “local treasures” featuring craft artists who contribute significantly to the richness of the artistic environment in our area. Foon Sham will discuss his international background and experience and his body of work in wood and other media. Foon’s workshop will highlight some techniques for creating his wood pieces.

The lecture will focus on his international background and experience and his body of work in wood and other media.

Foon Sham, Escape I, Tunnel, 2016. Pine, 14 x 62 x 5 ft.

For more information on Foon’s work: www.foonsham.com

The Where & When

Workshop Venue: On the campus of University of Maryland

(free parking available)
Parren J Mitchell Art/Sociology Building ( BLDG #146),
College Park, MD
Rm 1311, wood shop

Price:
JRA Member $50
Non-Member $60

Lecture Date: Sunday, April 23, 2017
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Lecture Venue: American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center

The James Renwick Alliance is an independent national non-profit organization that celebrates the achievements of America’s craft artists and fosters scholarship, education, connoisseurship and public appreciation of craft art. Founded in 1982, the Alliance fulfills its mission through public programs, educational trips, publications, recognition of craft artists, and financial support of museums and other non-profit organizations, including the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Posted in distinguished artist, james renwick alliance, JRA | Tagged foon sham

Virginia MOCA Features WGS Director Michael Janis

Posted on April 16, 2017 by admin |

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art Invited WGS' Michael Janis to talk about his artwork in the exhibit "Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art", his glass process, and the themes that run thru his work.

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) invited WGS’ Michael Janis to talk about his artwork in the exhibit “Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art”, his glass process, and the themes that run thru his work.

Posted in art glass, MOCA, museum

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art Features Michael Janis

Posted on April 12, 2017 by admin |

Posted in michael janis, mike janis

Put That In Your Pipe and Smoke It! National Liberty Museum Exhibits “Underground” World of Functional Glass Pipes

Posted on April 10, 2017 by admin |

“The Blue Light” by neon glass artist Eve Hoyt .

Glass smoking pipes get the high art treatment at a new exhibit that opened at the National Liberty Museum (NLM) in Philadelphia, PA.

"Freija," a glass pipe sculpture by glass artists Banjo and Snic Barnes (who is based out of Philadelphia) with assistance from Tyson Peltzer and Tristan Hodges, will be on display at the National Liberty Museum's "The Treachery of Images" exhibit.

“Freija,” a glass pipe sculpture by glass artists Banjo and Snic Barnes with assistance from Tyson Peltzer and Tristan Hodges, will be on display at the NLM’s “The Treachery of Images” exhibit.

Titled “The Treachery of Images,” the exhibit, which runs through May 7, features glass hand pipes and water pipes from more than 20 prominent pipe-makers and other glass artists. Work on display at the exhibit will also be available for purchase.

The exhibit takes its name from a 1929 painting of the same name by surrealist artist René Magritte. Featuring an image of a pipe underlined with the phrase “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” (or “This is not a pipe”), the painting challenges viewers to question their interpretations of reality by pointing out that the painting is not a pipe, but a representation of a pipe.

The NLM’s “Treachery” exhibit will operate on a similar principle, placing the often-maligned functional glass subculture in the type of space usually reserved for the mainstream art world, which historically has marginalized pipe-makers due to their art’s association with smoking marijuana. In that way, the exhibit seems to ask viewers to consider that the pipes at NLM aren’t pipes, either — or at least not just pipes, but also works of art.

Exhibit runs through May 7, National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106, www.libertymuseum.org.

Posted in bong, functional art, glass pipe, National Liberty Museum

Washington Glass School Job Opening!

Posted on April 4, 2017 by admin |

Washington Glass School is Hiring!

Washington Glass School in Mount Rainier, MD

Washington Glass School (WGS) is excited to announce the hiring of a new full-time glass studio coordinator.

“Warm Glass Studio Coordinator”

WGS seeks a creative and energetic manager and teacher for a kiln cast glass studio in Mt. Rainier, Md. just outside Washington, DC. Washington Glass School is a private art studio which focuses on warm glass and mixed media sculpture.

The combined glass school and studio has several missions:

1). Engaging the surrounding metro area with large scale community involved public art works.

2). Teaching kiln casting classes and others that support our sculptural mission.

3). Production work for several artists who are based here, including acrylic /resin casting and mold making. Candidate cannot be allergic to these.

The Glass Studio Coordinator will be responsible for communicating with all of these audiences and ensuring that the studio is serving their needs.

We are looking for someone who is equally excited about glass education, mold making, acrylic casting, glassmaking, and managing and promoting the studio. The Washington Glass School Studio Coordinator should be self-starter who can independently manage studio activities, as well as collaborate closely with WGS’s staff on an overall strategic vision for the organization and its execution in the glass studio.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as a public face for WGS: act as primary liaison for studio renters, answer calls and emails about studio, interact with visitors, attend events on behalf of WGS.  
• Oversee all activities in the glass studio, including managing studio calendar, scheduling and working with renters, designing and managing classes and demos.
• Manage and assist several artists principles with their work.
• Travel to international art fairs to represent WGS artists, with duties including show set-up, sales, packing, shipping and take down.
• Manage studio inventory and purchase materials and tools as needed.  
• Help oversee and fabricate large scale public art pieces, including community involvement work shops.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and monthly teaching artist meetings.

Qualifications:

• BA or BFA with a concentration in glass or life experience equivalent (Experience managing a glass studio would be helpful.)
• Understanding of a range of kiln making processes.
• Good written and oral communications skills; ability to interact with all of the audiences at WGS. Intelligence is better than brawn !
• Ability to work as a part of a team while working independently on projects to meet multiple deadlines.
• The ideal candidate should very much want to further their own art career and would benefit from their time here.
• Metal welding, acrylic casting and electronic wiring background would be helpful, but candidate can be trained in this.
• Speed is of the essence here on projects. Speed, staying on task and attention to detail are paramount. Hopefully someone who will treat each work as their own for quality control.

The Glass Studio Coordinator is a 35/40-hour/week position, including some evening and weekend events. Salary is commensurate with experience. It includes both an hourly salary and teaching bonuses. This is an extremely busy studio.

The Glass Studio Manager is a 35/40-hour/week position, including some evening and weekend events. Salary is commensurate with experience. It includes both an hourly salary and teaching bonuses. This is an extremely busy studio. Much of our work goes straight from here to galleries and museums.

Compensation takes the following forms:
~ 10 to 15 dollars an hour to start, depending on relevant experience
~ 25/50 dollars per student for each class taught
~ additional income for manning booths and set up/take down at international art fairs
~ you will have the opportunity to sell and show your work at some of the international art fairs, such as Context Miami, Expo Chicago and Affordable Art Fair in NYC.

Benefits also include assisted health insurance and kiln time at WGS as well as use of all equipment and a dedicated work area for your own art. Access to all equipment. Materials at cost. This is the ideal job for those who are seeking a career as a full time studio artist.

WGS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Submission deadline May 1, 2017

To apply, please submit a cover letter telling us why you might be a good fit, your resume, and images of past work to: TimTateGlass@aol.com.

Washington Glass School in Mount Rainier, MD

Washington Glass School
3700 Otis Street, Mt Rainier, MD 20712

Posted in employment, job in glass

Habatat Galleries’ 45th Glass International Award Exhibition

Posted on March 30, 2017 by admin |

Michigan’s Habatat Galleries 45th International Glass Invitational

Habatat Galleries’ International Glass Invitational is the oldest and largest annual exhibit focused on studio glass in the United States. 2017 will see the 45th Annual event and the gallery has planned some of the most exciting events, exhibitions and experiences that will be the talk of the town.

Washington Glass School artists Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate, Michael Janis and Sean Hennessey all will have works on exhibit as the monumental milestone takes place April 27th, 28th and 29th of 2017. The gallery is located at 4400 Fernlee Ave, Royal Oak, Mi. 48073. For information go to www.habatat.com.

45th Glass International Award Exhibition

Saturday, Apr 29, 2017 to Friday, Jul 21, 2017

Grand Opening April 29th 2017 8:00 pm

Posted in habatat galleries, international, invitational

New DC Metro Bus G9 – Downtown to Washington Glass School

Posted on March 22, 2017 by admin |

All Aboard! Next stop: Washington Glass School!

We thought the Washington Glass School readers would be happy to hear about the addition of a new transportation option that has started in the District that benefits the Glass School. The new express bus line, the G9, will run from Mt. Rainier to DC’s 14th Street NW along Rhode Island Avenue.

DC Metro Bus Route G9 has begin service on March 20, 2017 and will operate weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., every 15 to 20 minutes from Eastern Avenue to Franklin Sq. Route G9 Rhode Island Ave Limited Line comes after many studies and community outreach was conducted amongst local businesses and area residents. It was determined that a rush hour, bi-directional MetroExtra limited stop service was much needed. Route G9 is expected to service over 1,000 people per day. Due to recent area growth, buses traveling in the area have become overcrowded resulting in an uncomfortable ride for passengers. Route G9 will provide customers traveling along Rhode Island Ave more direct and faster service.

G9 Metro Bus route from Downtown DC to Mt Rainier Gateway Arts District.

Posted in DC Metro

Tired of the Snow? Go to Sunny FLA!

Posted on March 15, 2017 by admin |

Art Boca Raton 2017 opens its doors this week, ushering in the fair’s second edition. Art Boca Raton’s second annual fair promises to deliver with world-class contemporary, modern, and cutting edge art from a premier selection of international galleries. Guests and collectors to the fair can experience some of the greatest modern masters along with being introduced the freshest new artists. Michigan’s Habatat Galleries will be showing at the art fair – their space (Booth #110) will feature works by Wilfried Grootens, Vivian Wang, Stephen Rolfe Powell, Tim Tate, Lucy Lion, Latchezar Boyadjiev, Marlene Rose and Michael Janis.

Tim Tate’s “Guardians To Stop The Vanishing” will be sure to mesmerize the art fair-goers.

Michael Janis "taking flight" cast and fused glass and steel; 23" x 36"

Michael Janis’ glass artwork “Taking Flight” will be exhibited at Habatat Galleries space #110.

Art Boca Raton takes place March 15th to the 19th, 2017 in the International Pavilion of the Palm Beaches on the grounds of Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, located at 3450 NW 8th Avenue in partnership with the Boca Raton Museum of Art and other local institutions.

Posted in art boca raton, habatat galleries

James Renwick Alliance Spring Craft Weekend 2017!

Posted on March 15, 2017 by admin |

scw17a

The James Renwick Alliance’s (JRA) annual celebration of American craft, Spring Craft Weekend includes a symposium featuring five masters of craft art, the JRA annual gala, and a tour of the homes of prominent collectors. The events take place the weekend of April 1st – and so much is going on!

The 2017 Masters of the Media Lecture

9:15AM-NOON, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
FREE EVENT | Sponsored by the JRA
Visarts, Rockville, Maryland

The JRA’s featured five 2017 Masters of the Media represent the best of craft artists today. All have won awards and acclaim. All have exhibited in international galleries and museums, and in public and private collections. Many have taught; some are still teaching. And each and every one of them is truly inspirational.

The Masters will present their stories, their philosophies and their work in an engaging format which will include a Q&A session.

The doors will open at 9:15am for refreshments, coffee and the opportunity to visit a few of VisArts artists’ studios before the Masters’ program begins at 10:00am. Click HERE to register for the JRA Masters lecture.

Open to the Public | FREE | Advance Registration Required for All Attendees

Seating is limited; early registration advised.
VisArts | 155 Gibbs Street | Rockville, Maryland
Parking available in nearby public garages.
Nearest Metro: Rockville (Red Line)

35th Anniversary Gala & Masters Auction

The Washington National Cathedral is the venue for the JRA Spring Craft Weekend Gala. Besides the dinner, the JRA will be having an auction featuring works by this year’s Master of the Medium Awards.

6:00PM, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
National Cathedral, Washington DC

A special anniversary demands a special anniversary Gala. And what could possibly top spending Saturday evening at the Washington National Cathedral? Celebrate in grand style, surrounded by the amazing beauty and history of this important landmark. Chat, dine and even explore a bit with the help of the Cathedral’s attentive docents.

Register for exciting Craft Adventures both near and far during the cocktail reception. Bid high to make it count in the JRA Live Auction featuring selected works from each of the featured five Masters of the Media who will receive their awards during the program.

This year’s Gala promises to be memorable from the very moment those impressive doors open. Click HERE to register for the GALA.

$395 per person | No charge for Patrons
Dress for a Party | Black Tie Optional

Washington National Cathedral | 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW | Washington DC
Parking in Washington National Cathedral’s Garage $10

Posted in craft, james renwick alliance, JRA, spring craft weekend

The Process: WGS Creates Public Art For West Palm Beach Intl Airport

Posted on March 10, 2017 by admin |

2 Agencies + 2 Unique Identities = 1 Integrated Artwork Solution

Detail from public art sculptures by Washington Glass Studio for West Palm Beach International Airport

Details from sculptures by Washington Glass Studio for West Palm Beach International Airport

Palm Beach County‘s Art in Public Places awarded Washington Glass Studio (WGS) the commission to design and fabricate integrated public art sculptures as part of the renovation of an existing facility for the new headquarters for Palm Beach County’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) after a Call for Artists held in 2014. The building – a five story 61,000 square foot facility is located at one the most visible intersections in Palm Beach County, adjacent to the Palm Beach International Airport and can be seen from departing and arriving flights.

Site for public art at West Palm Beach Airport

Sites for public art sculptures outlined in Call for Artists @ Florida’s West Palm Beach Airport

Agency 1 – Tourist Development Council (TDC)

The Tourist Development Council asked that their site-specific sculpture reinforce their brand and help show that Palm Beach is a prime tourism destination in one of the top tourism states in the country. The TDC includes Discover Palm Beach County, the Film and Television Commission and the Sports Commission. The TDC also provides oversight to the Palm Beach County Convention Center and the Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management Department and their Beach Re-nourishment Program.

Agency 2 – Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO)

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has approximately 4,000 dedicated and professional staff that are committed to protecting the public, and enhancing the quality of life in the community while administering agency operations. The project site will house PBSO Admin services include Central Records, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Risk Management and Graphics.

WGS Director Erwin Timmers reviews the sites with representatives from PBSO and TDC in October 2014.

After consulting with the different agencies, WGS began schematic design of the sculpture works and the integration of the work with the architecture of the building. WGS sought to utilize color as a strong identification element that would help define the building’s new entry sequences.

Design concepts for the site are presented and reviewed with the end users.

Preliminary design concepts for the site were reviewed with the end users.

The artwork was reviewed and modified as the project team were consulted and fabrication details were outlined. Structural details of the aluminum framework were integrated into the design. Florida has very high wind design loads that had an impact on the artwork design and working again with structural engineer Holbert Apple Associates ensured that the hurricane loads would pose no problem for the artworks. Additionally, the designs would have to allow for shipping from the Washington, DC area glass studio down to sunny Palm Beach Florida and thus the design incorporated modular aspects to allow for fabrication and shipping.

Design of the artwork included detailed structural engineering analysis.

An additional aspect for the project design was the inclusion and integration of artwork and the building’s architectural re-design. Building signage, lighting, paving, and landscaping aspects were to be part of the artist’s proposal. The original building dates from the 1980’s and offered the ideal blank slate background, and allowed for some experimentation with blocks of color that would tie the art with the architecture.

West Palm Beach building façade color test study.

The building artwork design contract included elements of landscape design, and WGS artists liked creating new places to have glass incorporated. Color-coordinated glass “pebbles” (surface-seeded aggregate) were mixed into the concrete paving surrounding the artwork at the base of each. With great power comes with great responsibility.

Tourism Office concrete paving sample. The glass chips were color coordinated to the artwork.

Paving slip resistance, hurricane wind loads on glass and steel, in-ground lighting values – all were part of the artist’s control and the studio was challenged to grow and develop our knowledge base.

Design: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO)

The design of the PBSO artwork had to showcase how the Sheriff’s office was an important partner to the community and reflect the values of the department. Aspects of the Sheriff would be presented in bas-relief cast glass panels mounted in sturdy structural aluminum framework. The colors of the PBSO were to form the basis of the sculpted glass artwork. The greens and golds would include a stripe of blue glass that would represent the “thin blue line” that symbolizes the relationship of law enforcement in the community.

Sheriff department concept sketch.

The location of the sculpture was important – the artwork would help define the entry to the new Sheriff’s office, and the artwork would also help shield views down along the building that are more private outdoor spaces.

Detail of one of the cast glass panels for the PBSO artwork. The clasped hands represent helping community.

The finished work has some incredibly detailed cast panels that are works of art in and by themselves.

View of the new Sheriff Office artwork – titled “Guardian” by WGS.

Design: Tourist Development Council (TDC)

DPB-TOURISM-RGB

Palm Beach’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) has oversight responsibility for the marketing agencies which include Discover The Palm Beaches, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission along with the Palm Beach County Convention Center. A number of proposals were presented to the TDC and the selected version was for an illuminated 17′-0″ tower – ultimately to be located on a new plaza area at the building entry. The color palatte of the “Discover the Palm Beaches” campaign would be the basis of the artwork color direction. The glass design direction taken by the artist team was to abstract elements from each of the agencies that make up the TDC.

The TDC artwork, titled “Guidepost” is situated on a new plaza created at the building entry.

The structural requirements for the artwork framework (to be made in aluminum) required a substantial cross section for the members. The strong wind loads in coastal Florida required a close supervision of the metal design and fabrication.

Artist Michael Janis begins creation of the colorful glass inset panels.

Erwin Timmers works on the TDC art while Patricia and Audrey supervise.

Dave Dolan of Palm Beach County is part of the review process of the structural metal at the shop.

The glass artwork integrated into the metal structure began in the summer of 2016. Each glass inset was coated with a special coating to protect the structure in hurricane force winds. The installation of the artwork began in late 2016 and was completed in early 2017, giving the WGS crew some time in the beautiful Florida sunshine.