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Getting Ready for Chicago S.O.F.A.!

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Kilnformed glass artwork by Michael Janis exhibited at Maurine Littleton Gallery space 2015 during SOFA.

 

This November, the world’s foremost Sculptures Objects Functional Art + Design Fair (SOFA CHICAGO) is back and happening at Chicago’s Navy Pier this Nov 3-6, 2016.

SOFA CHICAGO is one of the longest running art fairs in the world, and the oldest art fair in Chicago. Now in its 23rd year, SOFA CHICAGO is dedicated to bringing together the perpetually separated spheres of design, decorative arts, and fine arts. With nearly 70 internationally renowned galleries, SOFA CHICAGO will be exhibiting an array of media-specific art and innovative designs. Additionally, those who come to SOFA CHICAGO will have the chance to meet hundreds of the world’s most creative people, as well as view works of some of the globe’s most talented emerging artists. 

Washington Glass School artists will again be showing at the international art fair – Allegra Marquart, Tim Tate, Audrey Wilson & Michael Janis have been working away this past summer on new works. 

Allegra Marquart,"The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings";Hand blown reverse painted glass vessel; H.9"W. 5"

Allegra Marquart,”The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings”; Hand blown reverse painted glass vessel; H.9″W. 5″ photo by Pete Duvall.

Allegra Marquart has been working with glass blower Tim McFadden – who blew the forms that she reverse painted and fired. The theme running through some of her new pieces is “wanting” – where the main protagonists want something they don’t have or more of what they have already. Allegra’s sculpture and her glass-and-textile wall installations will be shown at Maurine Littleton Gallery’s booth # 821 at SOFA.

Tim Tate, "Where We Hide From No One" detail

Tim Tate, “Where We Hide From No One” detail; Silver Plated Frame, Mirror, Flame Worked Glass, LED’s; 18 x 18 x 4″. Photo by Pete Duvall.

Tim Tate has been working on whole new series developing for the past year and a half. Tim’s works engage the viewer and each piece visually draw’s the viewer deep inside. Tim’s new works will be shown at Michigan’s Habatat Galleries. 

Michael Janis has had a incredible year so far! After receiving the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Award and having a successful solo show at Maurine Littleton Gallery, Michael has recently finished his signature cast glass/frit powder imagery panels for the art fair. Michael’s works will again be shown at Maurine Littleton Gallery – (Boorth # 821).

Audrey Wilson will again be showing at Alida Anderson Art Projects. Audrey’s wonderful sculptures wryly explore questionable science and conspiratorial thinking. In our troubled times, some recent researchers have found that anxiety and the feeling of loss of control triggers people to see nonexistent patterns and evoke conspiratorial explanations. With high-stress situations (such as job uncertainty) its not surprising that people concoct, embrace, and repeat conspiracy theories. 

Audrey Wilson's mixed media / Pâte de verre sculpture explores science and conspiracy theories.

Audrey Wilson’s mixed media / Pâte de verre sculpture explores science and conspiracy theories.

This year’s SOFA CHICAGO hopes to take art lovers one step further. Explore the world of art like never before and be sure to take in one of the SOFA Lecture Series presented by some of the world’s most distinguished artists, collectors and professionals, as well as a special events series curated and presented by international art organizations. 

SOFA CHICAGO

Festival Hall, Navy Pier 
600 East Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60611

Posted in art, art fair, sofa chicago

Check Out Syl Mathis @ Bethesda Row Arts Festival Oct 15-16

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Look for artist Syl Mathis’ cast glass and mixed media work at Booth: 5W

The 19th Annual Bethesda Row Arts Festival offers an outdoor gallery displaying the works of more than 190 juried museum-quality artists. The Bethesda Row Arts Festival is one of the leading fine art and craft festivals in the mid-Atlantic. The Bethesda Row Arts Festival is “must visit” for area collectors.

The streets of Bethesda Row transform into an outdoor art gallery. Art collectors and lovers will find one of a kind top quality art. Glass artist Syl Mathis is a featured artist and he will be showing his mixed media sculpture – in Booth #5W.

Admission is free for the festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. http://www.bethesdarowarts.org/

Posted in bethesda row arts, syl mathis

Washington Post Reviews Michael Janis Solo @ Littleton Gallery

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The Washington Post published the following review of Michael Janis’ solo show “Echoes of Leaves and Shadows” being exhibited at the Maurine Littleton Gallery through Oct 15. Art critic Mark Jenkins  describes Michael’s skill as “extraordinary. Jenkins also enthuses that Janis’ glass artwork combines “the stateliness of stained-glass windows with the vivacity of pop art”. Have a read of the full text below:

Michael Janis. "Radiance," 2016, glass, glass powder imagery, steel; on view at Maurine Littleton Gallery. (Michael Janis/Maurine Littleton Gallery)

Michael Janis. “Radiance,” 2016, glass, glass powder imagery, steel; on view at Maurine Littleton Gallery. (Michael Janis/Maurine Littleton Gallery)

By Mark Jenkins October 8, 2016

Michael Janis

If Michael Janis worked with pencil or charcoal, his draftsmanship would be impressive. But the D.C. artist draws photorealist portraits with pulverized glass, placing the powder exactly with tiny tools. Which is extraordinary.

Most of the pieces in “Echoes of Leaves and Shadows,” at Maurine Littleton Gallery, include depictions of pretty young women. These gamines, who might be ballerinas or French New Wave stars, are rendered in granulated black glass fused by heat to clear glass sheets. The pieces aren’t just black-and-clear, though. Janis overlays and underlies patches of translucent colored glass, and often adds such 3-D glass elements as butterflies or flower petals. Aqua and orange are common in this array, among other hues. In one picture, an abstract yellow-green swirl contrasts the subject’s slightly darker green eyes.

Janis employs many variations, slicing faces into three equal parts or contrasting them with panels of textured glass. There are ceramic busts garlanded with glass leaves, and portraits embellished with near-opaque peacock- or dark-blue circles. The latter combine the stateliness of stained-glass windows with the vivacity of pop art — half medieval cathedral, half 1960s Vogue.

Michael Janis: Echoes of Leaves and Shadows On view through Oct. 15 at Maurine Littleton Gallery, 1667 Wisconsin Ave. NW. 202-333-9307. littletongallery.com.

Posted in american glass, art, art glass, contemporary artwork, contemporary craft, fused glass imagery, kiln-formed glass, mark jenkins, michael janis, mike janis, scraffito, sgraffitto, sgrafitto, washington post

Lindy Irhman @ Florida’s Duncan McClellan Gallery

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With the weather bringing attention to all things Florida – happily on Florida’s gulf coast, the Tampa Bay area has received only some strong winds from Hurricane Matthew. 

The City of St Petersburg is home to Duncan McClellan Gallery, which features rotating exhibitions showcasing national and internationally recognized glass artists. Starting today, the gallery features the work of glass artist Lindy Irhman.

Lindy Ihrman, "Passages"; digital photography and kiln cast glass; 15 x 9 x 2½ inches

Lindy Ihrman, “Passages”; digital photography and kiln cast glass; 15 x 9 x 2½ inches

Lindy is a glass artist from West Michigan creates sculpture and wall panels made from layered digital images that are fused into slabs that exploit the 3-dimensional quality inherent with stacked glass and the depth enhances her narrative and metaphors, drawing the viewer into the eccentric and beguiling imagery within. Lindy’s contemporary surrealism is like opening a door and seeing a strange, new planet. One never know what to expect, it’s bizarre but familiar, just like dreams. 

Lindy Ihrman, "Still Waiting"; digital photography and kiln formed glass, enamel, metal frame; 14 x 16 x 1 inches

Lindy Ihrman, “Still Waiting”; digital photography and kiln formed glass, enamel, metal frame; 14 x 16 x 1 inches

Lindy’s work shows how new techniques continue being integrated with traditional craft with the coming of the digital age. The art form of photo manipulation involves the creation of unique images and in some instances, signature expressions of art by photographic artists. Lindy is able to create an inspired transition between her photographic work and her sculptural glass.

Lindy Ihrman, " Morning Mist"; digital photography and kiln cast glass; 10 x 15 x 2 inches

Lindy Ihrman, ” Morning Mist”; digital photography and kiln cast glass; 10 x 15 x 2 inches

Duncan McClellan Gallery’s Artistic Director, Mary Childs, said of Lindy’s artwork: “[We are] dedicated to mentoring emerging artists, and Lindy Irhman’s work deserves the introduction we are happy to give give her…The skill and vision represented in her pieces is fresh and innovative, and we are proud to represent such a promising talent.”

On Saturday, October 8, 2016, Duncan McClellan Gallery will also open “Art Outdoors” for their official opening of their new Sculpture Gardens.

Lindy Ihrman, " The Flock";digital photography and kiln cast glass; 14½ x 10 x 2 inches

Lindy Ihrman, ” The Flock”; digital photography and kiln cast glass; 14½ x 10 x 2 inches

Duncan McClellan Gallery

2342 Emerson Ave. South , St. Petersburg, FL 33712

 

Posted in CONTEMPORARY SURREALISTIC, duncan mcclellan, saint petersburg, st petersburg | Tagged

USA Glass Industry Update

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uroboros-sign2016 has been a year full of upheaval in the the glass industry, with the environmental concerns affecting Bullseye’s Portland, Oregon factory, and the unexpected closure of Spectrum glass.

Unfortunately, recently Uroboros Glass Company- also located in Portland- announced that they will be shutting down after almost 44 years in the business. While very sad, company owner Eric Lovell has said that the situation has become “unavoidable”, citing new environmental regulations, rising cost of materials and facilities, and his own impending retirement age as contributing factors in the decision.

Uroboros plans on discontinuing new production in early 2017, and will continue with the company’s closure in “an orderly fashion” over the next 9-12 months. It is possible that they may find a buyer for the company, but no solid plans are in the works as of yet.

On a happier note, Spectrum Glass announced that they have sold their product line to a California-based glass manufacturer, and are currently in the process of transferring ownership. They haven’t released any details regarding future product line yet, but they are working hard to make the transfer as quickly and smoothly as possible.

While Bullseye Glass has completed production line improvements and has resumed manufacturing most previously restricted colors, they still will not be able to produce chromium-bearing colors until early in the new year.

Posted in american glass

WGS & Virginia Glass Guild Collaborative Show @ Glass Art Society 2017 Conference

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Washington Glass School and Virginia Glass Guild Collaborate for GAS Conference Exhibit

Washington Glass School and Virginia Glass Guild Collaborate for 2017 GAS Conference Exhibit in Norfolk, VA.

The Glass Art Society (GAS) is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage excellence and development of the glass arts, and to support the worldwide community of artists who work with glass. GAS selected Norfolk, VA’s Chrysler Museum 

The Chrysler Museum of Art Perry Glass Studio in Norfolk, VA.

The Chrysler Museum of Art Perry Glass Studio in Norfolk, VA.

of Art and its Perry Glass Studio as host for the 46th annual conference in 2017.

Tying into the creativity that is part of the GAS conference, artists of the Washington Glass School and the Virginia Glass Guild are creating a joint exhibit at the nearby Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (March 3- June 4, 2017)

Titled “EMBRACING NARRATIVE:  Artwork of the Washington Glass School and the Virginia Glass Guild”, the show will feature works by members of the Virginia Glass Guild and directors and studio artists at the Washington Glass School (WGS). 

Portsmouth Art Cultural Center

Portsmouth Art Cultural Center

Featured WGS artists include directors Michael Janis, Tim Tate, and Erwin Timmers, and studio artists Audrey Wilson, Diane Cabe, Sean Hennessey,  Allegra Marquart, Syl Mathis, Elizabeth Mears, Debra Ruzinsky, Nancy Weisser, Erin Antognoli, Steve Durow, Jennifer Lindstrom, Sherry Selevan, and Jeff Zimmer.

Embracing Narrative: Artwork of the Washington Glass School and the Virginia Glass Guild

Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center

400 High Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704

March 3 – June 4, 2017

Posted in Glass Art Society, narrative glass, norfolk, Washington School of Glass

Dr Claudia Rousseau Reviews Michael Janis @ Maurine Littleton Gallery

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Dr Claudia Rousseau – Professor of Art History at Montgomery College – reviews Michael Janis’ Maurine Littleton Gallery exhibit “Echoes of Leaves and Shadows“.

Writing in the the East City Art the renowned critic wrote about his “glass works that cross the line between sculpture (as in relief sculpture) and painting, and which stand out in brilliant color….From both a technical and subjective viewpoint this is a striking show.”

Click HERE to jump to the article online.

Posted in dr claudia rousseau, east city art, maurine littleton gallery, michael janis, review | Tagged

WGS’ Michael Janis Wins DC Mayor’s Arts Award!

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The Mayor's Arts Awards are presented in a similar manner to Hollywood's Academy Awards.

DC Mayor’s Arts Awards are presented in a similar manner to Hollywood’s Academy Awards.

The Mayor’s Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city of Washington, D.C. on artists, teachers, nonprofit organizations and patrons of the arts and humanities. D.C.’s 31st Annual Awards ceremony was held at the Historic Lincoln Theater this past Thursday, and Washington Glass School Co-Director Michael Janis was awarded the “Excellence in the Arts” honor!

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Michael Janis onstage at the Historic Lincoln Theatre

The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities works hard at supporting and advancing the arts, humanities and creative industries and presented the awards as recognition of how the creative community impacts the District.

Michael Janis interviewed at the Lincoln Theatre.

Michael Janis interviewed at the Lincoln Theatre.

The Awards Gala – modeled after Hollywood’s Academy Awards – had it all – the red carpet (but in green), media and press interviews, glamor, gowns, glitter.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomes the audience to the 31st Mayors Arts Awards.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomes the audience to the 31st Mayors Arts Awards.

Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomed the audience to the award ceremony and some incredible performances were throughout the evening’s ceremony. In addition to Michael Janis winning the Excellence in the Arts, the winners included Once Common Unity for Excellence in Creative Industries, Leron Boyd for Outstanding Student, Dawn Johnson for Excellence in Teaching and Tara Campbell for Outstanding New Artist. The DCCAH also presented three honors – Lou Stovall, for Lifetime Achievement, Julianne Brienza for Visionary Leadership and   E. Ethelbert Miller for Distinguished Honor.

Washington Performing Arts, Children of the Gospel Choir performed.

Washington Performing Arts, Children of the Gospel Choir performed.

Congratulations on the Award Michael! What will you be doing next?mike_janis.michael.sandra_arkin.dccah.mayors.arts.award

Michael Janis with Kay Kendall, Chair of the Board of Commissioners DCCAH

Michael Janis with Kay Kendall, Chair of the Board of Commissioners DCCAH

Posted in #202Creates, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, mayor's arts award, michael janis | Tagged

Artomatic Baltimore Registration Is Open!

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artomaticbaltimore“Artomatic” began as an arts festival in the DC area that was to be “by artists, for everyone” based on the belief that Art builds community. First developed by artists in and around Washington, DC beginning in 1999. 

The next generation is here – Artomatic@Baltimore! The goal is bringing all facets of creativity to Baltimore in one gigantic, multi use space over a series of weeks! Be a part of the first ever Artomatic event of its kind to be held in Baltimore, within the historic Montgomery Park building. 

Historic Montgomery Park

Historic Montgomery Park Building

Artomatic@Baltimore
Visual and Performing Arts Event in Montgomery Park Business Center
November 4th – December 10th, 2016
Open Thursday – Sunday starting at noon
(Closed on Thanksgiving Day 11/24 and Friday 11/25)

Anyone and everyone can be a participating artist at Artomatic@Baltimore.
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If you would like to show your artwork at Artomatic@Baltimore, all you need to do is register to secure a space to feature your work.
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There is a $100 fee for visual artists at Artomatic@Baltimore. This fee helps Artomatic organize the event and make it awesome for everyone involved. At the time of registration artists are required to sign up for three shifts at Artomatic@Baltimore — a total of 15 hours.

Click HERE to jump to online info.

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Posted in artomatic