>This posting is the first of a new feature for the Washington Glass School blog: ‘The Process’.
The occasional series will present a photo documentation of a project from start (or at least when we remembered to get a camera going) to finish, highlighting the steps, process and techniques involved. Mistakes, dramas, and screw-ups will be magically deleted from the documentation postings, naturally.
Our first of the series is a focus on the making of National Geographic’s newest award – the ‘National Geographic Arts Ambassador for the Environment Award’ . The recipient for the inaugural award is musician Jack Johnson.
Uber-mellow singer-songwriter-surfer-filmmaker Jack Johnson has dedicated himself to environmental causes, including educational initiatives and promoting eco-friendly touring in the music industry.
Musician and environmental activist Jack Johnson was to receive the newly created “Arts Ambassador for the Environment Award,” presented to an individual in the entertainment field who has demonstrated leadership in environmental and cultural conservation by elevating issues of sustainability and inspiring audiences to care about the planet. Jack Johnson grew up surfing and playing guitar in Hawaii. He released his first album in 2001 and, in the last ten years, has released 5 more albums that have sold over 20 million copies worldwide. In 2003, Jack and his wife Kim founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Kokua Festival to support environmental education in Hawaii’s schools and communities. In 2008, Jack donated 100% of his tour profits to establish the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, an endowment founded by Jack and Kim Johnson to support environmental, art and music education worldwide. These tour profits, along with Johnson’s personal charitable activities, have resulted in millions donated to charity since 2001.
In keeping with the environmental conscious theme, the National Geographic Society asked for an award that was made from recycled glass, and a number of designs were studied.
As the award was to be yearly, the concepts had to allow for art ambassadors that worked in areas of interest such as “oceans” or “forests” or “wildlife” and be able to relate equally to those themes. Early on, a globe shape was favored by the National Geographic award committee. Recycled float (window) glass was to be cast using the lost wax process. The National Geographic committee stipulates that the cast glass globe be removable, and options for the support base are explored.
The Process:
Spraying the clay original with a mold release agent.
Pouring the rubber mold compound around the original clay form.
After setting up – preparing to cut open the rubber mold and remove the clay form. After removal of the clay, melted wax is poured into the rubber mold, and a wax copy of that form is removed.
The wax original.
The wax original is coated with with layers of a plaster/silica mix, building up the form until a solid covering is achieved.
The plaster/silica form is allowed to set up. Once hardened, the wax is melted out – the essence of the ‘lost wax’ process.
Checking the mold for any wax residue.
Recycled float glass is cleaned and made ready for casting.
The molds are loaded into the electric kilns and glass placed into ceramic pot reservoirs. The glass globes go through a six day annealing cycle.
After the glass is cooled, the forms are removed from the kilns.
The molds are broken open, being mindful of the glass contained within.
Chipping away at the plaster mold.
The glass is cleaned and coldworked. Rough spots are ground and polished to a shine.
Robert Kincheloe evaluates the level of shine on the glass globe continents.
While the cast glass globe is being coldworked, the base for the globe and the award nameplate is being created. A custom ceramic mold is shaped and fired. A flat blank made from recycled glass is fused and made ready to slump into the ceramic mold.
The glass base is fired in the kiln and coldworked to receive the glass globe.
The base is fitted with a clear gasket to prevent chipping of glass.
Studio photos of the award and of the evening were promised by National Geographic – we will post once we get the shots!
About the National Geographic award night:
The theme of the National Geographic’s inaugural “Evening of Exploration” celebration was “Oceans,” and the event was attended by an all-star cast of explorers and other luminaries, including newly appointed National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence filmmaker James Cameron and marine ecologist Enric Sala, as well as other Explorers-in-Residence who presented the evening’s awards: oceanographer Robert Ballard, marine biologist Sylvia Earle, wildlife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert and population geneticist Spencer Wells.
In keeping with the environmental theme – the appetizers were made from “invasive species” – like snakehead fish sushi.
Besides Jack Johnson, the other honorees included: Environmental anthropologist Kenny Broad and the late underwater photographer Wes Skiles were named “Explorers of the Year,” a new award presented in recognition of their extraordinary achievements in exploring and documenting the Blue Holes of the Bahamas in 2010. The National Geographic “Chairman’s Award” was presented to IBM for significantly advancing knowledge of the world through its research partnership with National Geographic on the Genographic Project, which is mapping the migratory history of humans.
The master of ceremonies was Wolf Blitzer, CNN’s lead political anchor. Following the awards presentation, Johnson performed songs for the crowd.
Proceeds from the evening will benefit National Geographic’s Explorer programs, comprising the Explorers-in-Residence, Fellows and Emerging Explorers. The “Evening of Exploration” was the culmination of the two-day National Geographic 2011 Explorers Symposium, an annual event at which National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence, Fellows, Emerging Explorers, grantees and others affiliated with National Geographic gather to share findings of their research and fieldwork and take part in panel discussions.
Cast Glass Sweeties
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Debra Ruzinsky
Sugar Bomb #3; Cast glass, 2011
Debra Ruzinsky
Bombshell, 2011
Debra Ruzinsky‘s cast glass artwork was recently praised by the Washington Post Art Critic Michael O’Sullivan in a review of glass sculpture that was on exhibit at Long View Gallery. In the review, Michael wrote: “My guilty pleasure sits all the way in the back of the 5,000-square-foot gallery… There you’ll find two small sculptural works by artist Deborah Ruzinsky, mounted on pedestals in front of large glass doors that, on sunny days, suffuse the room with light. The works’ titles, “Sugar Bomb #2” and “Sugar Bomb #3,” are apt. Cast in green and orange glass using Jell-O molds and artillery shell casings, they’re pure, explosive eye candy.
Staring at it, I feel like a monkey in front of a ball of shiny, shiny tin foil. Isn’t contemporary art supposed to be ugly — or at least less superficial?…
On the one hand, glass is pretty. It’s hard not to like the way it looks: the luminous color, the way it plays with light. On the other hand, maybe glass is only pretty. How do we know that the beauty is also capable of brains? The rest of the show is proof that it is.”
Debra checks her cast glass wafer ramp for smoothness.
Check back later for links to the Brattleboro Museum show.
Nice Rack
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Patrick Truby with his bicycle rack design. Photo by Laura Wallach
Patrick’s mixed media glass sculpture is one of the works at Gallery 555‘s show of sculptural work by students of the Washington Glass School, currently on exhibit thru June 30, 2011.
The Washington Glass School 10th Anniversary Student Sculpture Exhibit
Gallery 555dc
555 12th Street NW Lobby, Washington DC 20004
202-393-1409 or 240-447-6071
Gallery555dc.com
Cast glass and steel sculpture by Patrick Truby.
Congratulations Patrick & Alan!
Oh by the way – in case anyone wonders about how secure a “cool bike rack design” is – 
each rack has (4) 6” anchor bolts in the concrete and has one tamper-proof bolt. Someone who passes the rack on the way to work each morning says that it has been filled everyday.
The Party Was A Blast!
>This weekend, the Washington Glass School celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a big birthday bash held at Long View Gallery, where the exhibit Artists of the Washington Glass School: The First Ten Years was held. The critically acclaimed show had sold very well – much to the delight of both the gallery and the artists! Altho the Long View Gallery show is over – there still is time to catch work by the students of the Washington Glass School – over at Gallery 555dc – on exhibit until the end of June.
A big thanks to our artists, students, instructors, family, friends, supporters, aficionados – we all appreciate the love and support that allowed us to reach this milestone! Washington Glass School
Anne Plant describes her work.
Absorbed in the works.
Awesome Washington Glass School cake by theatrical designer Marie Schneggenburger.
Tim Tate lights the 10 birthday candles.
Directors Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate and Michael Janis lead the cheering and singing.
Blowing out the candles.
Altho this show is over :(
There will be more events and fun coming up, as the Washington Glass School moves on to the Next Ten Years.
GlassWeekend 2011
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Tim Tate‘s video reliquaries on exhibit.
The international biennial glass symposium – GlassWeekend – was just held at Wheaton Arts in Millville, New Jersey – home of the Creative Glass Center of America and the Museum of American Glass.
The biennial event brings together artists, collectors, galleries and museum curators for a three-day weekend of exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and social events.
Seven artists were chosen as “RISING STARS”, featured at GlassWeekend. The title of “Rising Star” indicates that these are the artists that the glass organizations believe to be the future of the medium.
Our Michael Janis was selected as a “Rising Star” by the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass and the Creative Glass Center of America.
“Rising Star” artist Michael Janis at Maurine Littleton Gallery space. Photo: Linda Greene – AACG
Maurine Littleton Gallery space at GlassWeekend.
Allegra Marquart, Kari Russell-Pool & Paul Stankard take a break in the woods.
Allegra Marquart‘s work at Maurine Littleton Gallery.
The exhibition is a great snapshot on the direction the studio art glass movement is heading. The movement will hit the 50 years mark next year, and it is interesting to note that of the 16 “Rising Stars” named in the past two biennials, only 2 of them are traditional glass blowers, 1 is a ladle caster and the rest are warm glass artists. Does this mean that the glass world is finally giving kilnforming its props? One hopes!
Sibylle Peretti‘s work at Heller Gallery.
Mielle Riggie‘s (another Rising Star) kilncast dresses at Morgan Contemporary Glass
“Rising Star” artists discuss the medium during a panel discussion. L-R Michael Janis, Julius Weiland & Sungsoo Kim. Photo: Linda Greene – AACG
Kari Russell-Pool discussing her torchwork artwork in Duane Reed Gallery’s space.
Click HERE to jump to some more photos of the artwork on exhibit at GlassWeekend 2011.
The Atlantic City press has a nice mention of the events – click HERE to jump to the article.
Happy Birthday to US!
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oh boy oh boy oh boy!
Join the artists of the Washington Glass School as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a birthday bash at Long View Gallery. The exhibit “Artists of the Washington Glass School: The First 10 Years” will close that night, and a party to celebrate is in order!
10th Anniversary Party
Long View Gallery
1234 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Sunday, June 19th, 2011
2-5 pm
Click here to jump to the Post’s art critic Michael O’Sullivan’s review of the exhibit.
Artist Talk at Long View Gallery
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Washington Glass School 10th Anniversary Exhibit Artist Talk
Tim Tate describes Elizabeth Mears & Tex Forrest’s collaborative steel & glass sculpture “The Three“
Sean Hennessey describes his cast concrete & glass process.
Debra Ruzinsky talks about what inspired her in the concept for Sugar Bomb #3. This work is one of the Washington Post art critic Michael O’Sullivan’s favorites in the show.
Tim Tate discusses how printmaker Kirk Waldroff translates his print techniques into glass.
Allegra Marquart describes her sand carving technique, and how she integrates tack-fused elements in her narrative panels.
Erwin Timmers describes the lost-wax techniques he uses with recycled glass.
Michael Janis describes how Jeff Zimmer builds depth to his glass imagery.
Artist Cheryl Derricotte enjoyed talking of how her cast glass piece is part of the Arts in Hand project.
Artist Jackie Greeves describes how she avoids coldworking on her fused glass artwork panels.
Michael Janis speaks for kayaker Syl Mathis’s integration of cast recycled glass and steel into his boat series.
Tim Tate talks about the use of new media in glass.
The most delightful part of the talk was when the environmental themed work of Alison Sigethy was discussed. Alison was not able to be part of at the talk, and one of the audience jumped in wanting to talk on her behalf, as Alison’s work is one of her favorites.
The audience provided new insights to Alison Sigethy’s work.
Coming up – there is a Washington Glass School 10 Year Anniversary celebration that will be held at the Long View Gallery, Sunday, June 19, from 2-5 pm.
Washington Glass School: The First 10 Years
LongView Gallery
1234 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Opening at Gallery 555
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Gallery 555DC
The champagne opening of the Washington Glass School student exhibition at Gallery 555 in downtown Washington, DC was this weekend.
Sculpture works by F to R: Robert Kincheloe, Brenda Dean, Teddie Hathaway, Erin Antognoli, Patrick Truby.
Many long-time friends and students of the glass school stopped in, and catching up with them and with the artists and students exhibiting at the gallery – is was a lot of fun!
Here are some pix from the opening: The exhibit will be up the rest of the month – get in to see the work first-hand!
Artists Brenda Dean and Patrick Truby.
Erwin Timmers catches up with painter/blogger Anne Marchand.
Work by Graham Fox.
The Washington Glass School 10th Anniversary Student Sculpture Exhibit Gallery 555dc 555 12th Street NW Lobby, Washington DC 20004 202-393-1409 or 240-447-6071Gallery555dc.com
GlassWeekend 2011 Biennial Features WGS Artists
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GlassWeekend is a major contemporary glass event that runs from June 10 to 12 at WheatonArts in Millville, New Jersey. The three-day biennial weekend, first organized in 1985, brings together an international community of leading collectors, museum curators, gallery dealers, and artists for lectures, demonstrations and exhibitions. The event is organized by The Creative Glass Center of America at WheatonArts (CGCA) and the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG). Over the course of three days, Millville, New Jersey, will be ground-zero for glass art auctions, workshops, and lectures.
Glass art legend Dan Dailey will speak Saturday. Other highlights of Saturday’s lectures include a round-table of museum curators discussing their approach to exhibition planning moderated by Newark Museum decorative arts curator Ulysses Dietz and including Elizabeth Agro, Philadelphia Museum of Art associate curator of American modern and contemporary crafts and decorative arts; Renwick curator Nicholas Bell; and the fast-rising Ron Labaco, recently appointed curator of decorative arts and design at the Museum of Arts and Design.
Washington Glass School will be represented at the Biennial by Tim Tate, Allegra Marquart and Michael Janis – Michael will also be named “Rising Star” by The Creative Glass Center of America at WheatonArts and the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass.
Millville, New Jersey has long been associated with glass. In 1739 when Casper Wistar founded America’s first successful glass factory near Alloway Creek, glassmaking and South Jersey became inextricably fused. From humble entrepreneurial beginnings, glass manufacturing ultimately became the region’s major innovative industry by the late 19th century.
In 1904, the celebrated poet, Carl Sandburg, proclaimed:
“Down in southern New Jersey, they make glass. By day and by night, the fires burn on in Millville . . . Big, black flames shooting out smoke and sparks; bottles, bottles, bottles, of every tint and hue . . . that marks the death of sand and the birth of glass.”
Although the production of window and bottle glass may have left Cumberland, Salem and Gloucester counties, the studio glass movement has been flourishing. WheatonArts and the Creative Glass Center of America (CGCA) in Millville have nurtured a growing number of talented individuals to use glass as their primary medium by offering its facilities to artists from around the world.
Click HERE to jump to GlassWeekend’s program.
June 10th – 12th, 2011
WheatonArts1501 Glasstown Road
Millville, New Jersey 08332
Tel: 800 998 4552
Website: http://www.glassweekend.com/
for some photos of GlassWeekend 2009 – click HERE.
Duvall & Tate At Taubman Museum
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The Waking Dreams of Magdalena Moliere
For years, Tim Tate has established himself as a glass artist, and one whose work seems to draw more from tattoo art and the science lab than from the history of blown and cast objects. Over the last three years, Tim has attracted critical attention for his group of sculptures that look incorporate the new media – specifically video. His intimate glass reliquaries would each contain a tiny video screen with a short looped film segment. Lately, these films have become for Tim works in their own right, with exhibitions at the prestigious Art Basel art fair in Switzerland, as well as in Art Basel Miami. 
For the Taubman Museum project, Tim collaborated with photographer Pete Duvall to create his most ambitious video work to date. Six projections will include pieces continuing his interest in dreamers and sleepwalkers.
Taubman Museum
110 Salem Avenue SE
Roanoke, VA 24011
The Waking Dreams of Magdalena Moliere