>Kris Coronado’s article about Erwin Timmers and his eco-art that uses recycled glass and salvaged components for his artwork and the classes he teaches was in the Washington Post magazine this weekend.
Kris writes more about the experience and has more images on her blog – click HERE to jump to her blog.
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The Washington Post Sunday Magazine has a great article about how Erwin Timmers is able to source artwork from ordinary cast-offs. Washington Post writer Kris Coronado interviewed Erwin for the “Closer Inspection” column of the magazine, and spent the day at the school with photographer Ben Tankersley, wanting to know the story of seemingly every piece of glass they found.
Washington Post’s Ben Tankersley sets up an impromptu photo studio for Erwin Timmers work
Kris writes: “Erwin Timmers, artist and co-founder of the Washington Glass School in Mount Rainier, has taken recycling to heart. “That’s my carbon footprint,” he jokes, pointing to a depression of his boot set in the large slab of repurposed green glass hung on the wall. “I like using objects that everybody recognizes that are everyday, common items,” he says, “that people don’t really realize what value they have … until they end up in the trash heap.”
Washington Post Magazine “Closer Inspection” Sunday, August 21, 2011
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View of Penland Auction tent. Photo by Sean Hennessey.
Penland School of Crafts held its 26th Annual Benefit Auction this past week. The gala weekend in the North Carolina mountains featuring the sale of more than 230 works in books, clay, drawing, glass, iron, letterpress, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. The auction is one of the most important craft collecting events in the Southeast and helps support Penland’s educational programs, which have helped thousands of people to live creative lives.
Under the tent, the auctions are preceded with cocktails and dinner.
Evan Morgan and jeweler/artist Lola Brooks.
Noted wood art collector Fleur Bresler and her son Ed Bresler.
Glass artist Susan Taylor Glasgow.
Wyona Lynch-McWhite, Executive Director of the Fuller Craft Museum and glass/concrete artist Sean Hennessey.
Collectors had a chance to look thru the Penland catalog at amazing works.
This summer’s Penland Auction made a record amount of over $600,000 raised with over 550 people attending, not to mention a hundred local volunteers!
One of the highest bid pieces was Tim Tate’s “Four Seasons”….a cast glass and video series sculpture, tying the record amount for a non-commissioned with, set by Penland’s favorite potter, Cynthia Bringle.
Tim Tate’s “Four Seasons”
Showcasing the artwork during the auction.
Tim’s work on the auction screen.
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For more info on classes and to pay online- click HERE.
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NY- based artist Melissa Stern has been working recently in the glass school. Best know for her mixed media sculptures and drawings, Melissa has expanded her repertoire to include glass.
Melissa’s artwork is deceptive in its playful, childlike quality. Her highly imaginative (and frequently amusing) ceramic sculptures and drawings usually featuring human figures which call to mind sophisticated illustrations for children’s stories. Melissa sees her work removed from specific narrative and functioning instead in terms of psychology and metaphor. As much as we would like a ceramic standing figure–feet nailed to the floor, arms holding aloft a branch upon which large birds perch–to introduce a fascinating if disturbing fable, there is no story to explain it.
Summer in the South, collage, oil paint, pencil, 12 x 9
World View , clay, acrylic, paper, graphite, encaustic, 23″ x 5″ x 5″
Translating her drawn imagery with the use of glass frit powder, Melissa has really taken to the process, making it her own.
Melissa Stern’s fused glass frit components are assembled onto the glass panels she is creating.
Melissa and Tim Tate discuss the development of her panels.
Carving holes, tack-fusing texture, layering images – Melissa will ultimately add other non-glass elements to the glass panels she is creating.
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Kids & glass – the perfect companions!
Prince George’s County Brentwood Arts Exchange has its summertime Creative Expressions Camp where kids get to explore a variety of artistic media as well as contemporary reading and writing activities around such themes as animals, nature, and adventure.
One of the camp sessions (the adventure one) was held at the Washington Glass School.
Rob Kincheloe helps direct the children on the finer aspects of working in glass.
Artistic expressions are nurtured (ie yanked out) from each student.
Mini masterpieces inside the kiln.
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This past weekend, the Washington Glass School was host to the Black Artists of DC (BADC) monthy meeting. The artist group often conducts studio visits as a way to network and offer new opportunities for the members.
The mission of BADC is to promote, develop and validate the culture, artistic expressions and aspirations of past and present artists of Black-Afrikan ancestry in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Click HERE to jump to BADC’s facebook page.
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Mark Murai
BAGI Executive Director Mark Murai Returning to the Private Sector
The Board of Directors of the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI) has announced that Mark Murai will be leaving his position as Executive Director to return to the technology sector. Over the past two years as the organization’s leader and as a staff member since 2006, BAGI has grown its impact by expanding class offerings, adding programs for kids, bringing in thousands of new students of all ages, while continuing to be a resource for local artists to work and learn.
Mark said, “It is a bittersweet choice I have made but this decision will help take care of a situation very important in my personal life. I will be part of the interview team for the next Executive Director and will continue to help BAGI with events, studio repairs and as “an Artist” … The next Executive Director will have a chance to work with some great people and an organization that is truly something very special in the South Bay.”
You can read more of his note to the BAGI community here.
“Mark brought a great spirit of entrepreneurship to his role,” said Steven Aldrich, BAGI Board Chair. “His energy and passion to expand our outreach has grown the organization in the past two years through challenging economic times. Mark has had a tremendous impact and opened a number of doors by building relationships in the local community.”
BAGI’s Board has started the search for a new Executive Director and multiple Board members are working to ensure a smooth transition when Mark leaves in mid-July. Tom Upchurch, Board member and BAGI’s Executive Director before Mark, will serve as Interim Executive Director during the search.
Click HERE to read about BAGI’s search qualifications.
The Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI), a non-profit arts education center founded in 1996, is the only public access glass-working facility in the Santa Clara County that has fully functional glassblowing, fusing, cold-working and torch working studios. BAGI educates the public about art glass by teaching a variety of glass-working classes, offering free public demonstrations, and bringing in guest artists to conduct free demonstrations and lectures. BAGI’s goal is to continue expanding its education and program offerings to artists and the general public.
BAGI is located at 401 East Taylor Street, in San Jose, CA.
For more information about BAGI, click HERE.
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The Washington Glass School’s 2011 Fall Lampworking courses are now available online and enrollment is open. Have a look at the new fun classes!
Class 1108 – Open Studio For Flameworkers
Already know the basics of flameworking? Want to join others in a social atmosphere while you work? Our Flamework Club gives each student the opportunity to work independently in a world class studio while meeting some great new friends! Materials extra.
Class Limit: 6 students
Instructor : Robert Kincheloe
Dates : Sat / Sun afternoons (call to confirm appointment)
Time : 1:30pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300 for 4 sessions or included with Instructor Classes
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Class 1128 – Beginning Sculptural Flameworking
Learn the basics of making objects in the flame from borosilicate (Pyrex) glass. This 2-day class will focus on skills that are the basis of working with glass on the torch. You will come away with knowledge and some fine objects too! Rob is an energetic, knowledgeable instructor and artist who is ready and willing to help anyone learn this fascinating art form. The materials fee provides student with initial pack of glass, fuel for the torches and the loan of a full set of hand tools. Additional glass and supplies are available for purchase as the class progresses. Take this class more than once to reinforce your skills! Class Limit: 6 students
Instructor : Robert Kincheloe
Dates : Sat/Sun Sept 10 & 11
Time : 10am-1:30 pm (also includes a free open studio session till 5pm if you wish)
Tuition :$250 plus $50 material fee for instructor
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Class 1129 – Flameworking with Color
Learn the basics of working with colored borosilicate (Pyrex) glass. This 2-day class will focus on processes for including patterns and designs in glass at the torch. You will come away with the ability to design work with a variety of color application techniques. This is an excellent follow up class to the Introduction to flameworking. Come advance your ability to create through this fascinating art form. The materials fee provides student with initial pack of glass, fuel for the torches and the loan of a full set of hand tools. Additional glass and supplies are available for purchase as the class progresses. Take this class more than once to reinforce your skills! Class Limit: 6 students
Instructor : Robert Kincheloe
Dates : Sat/Sun Dec. 3 & 4
Time : 10am-1:30 pm (also includes a free open studio session till 5pm if you wish)
Tuition : $250 plus $50 material fee for instructor
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For the list of the NEW Fall 2011 Kiln Classes – click HERE
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PayPal Class Registration Below:
>Ready to leave this summer behind and fire up your fall?
The Washington Glass School’s 2011 fall courses are now available and enrollment is open. The schedule has some of our classic classes, and some exciting new classes with all-new techniques!
New classes like “Using Neon in Sculpture” where neon has left the tube! The gas is still contained and charged – but into forms made by either lampworking or blown glass or or KILN FUSING! Awesome!
More practical minded? How about rolling up your sleeves and getting to work making an environmentally friendly table? In “Eco-Tables” you will make the steel base (and learn the basics of welding) and glass top from recycled glass (learning the art of fusing).
recycled glass and steel table
glass sconce by Nancy Donnelly
Or “Making Glass Sconces for Your Home” where you learn to cut, fuse and shape glass into a sconce. You will make the hardware to mount the light. Build your own dream house – from the inside out! Awesome Domestic Bliss!
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Fall 2011 Schedule
(Lampworking Class Schedule next posting)
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Class 1120- Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend
Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of a professional glass artist you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping and dimensional kiln casting. Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects… this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass… and you will leave with several very cool items! Offered 2 times in the fall session.
Instructor: Robert Kincheloe
Dates: Session A : Sat/Sun – Sept. 24/25
Session B : Sat /Sun Nov 12/13
Time: 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition: $300 per student (all materials included)
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Class 1121 – Going Green
Green up your life by doing something creative to help the environment! This is an exploration into using recycled glass to make sculptural pieces, tableware, and architectural elements. We will delve into multiple techniques, including casting, fusing and slumping. Glass chemistry, coloration, and firing temperatures will be explained for each particular application. It is a fantastic way to learn aspects of any warm glass work while focusing on recycling! Once you start down the path of recycled glass, you will see more and more opportunities for experimentation around you. No prior experience is necessary – you are encouraged to bring in materials you’d like to try…and you will leave with several very cool items!
Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates: Wed Evenings Sept 14, 21 & 28
Time: 7pm to 9:30pm
Tuition : $350
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This is your chance to venture into furniture-making for your home. We will focus on using recycled materials to create a side table. You will get an introduction to welding and then cut and weld a steel frame. You will then cast or fuse an incredibly cool glass top to give you a one-of-a-kind table of your own design. No prior welding or glass experience is needed but not discouraged. There are size limitations for the glass top – not to exceed 18″ x 18″.
Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates : Wednesday eves, Oct 12, 19, 26 and Nov 2
Time: 7pm to 9:30pm
Tuition: $400 per student (all materials included)
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Class 1123 – Using Neon In Your Sculpture – Not Your Grandfather’s Neon
Neon doesn’t only come in a tube anymore! This is a great way to use neon in new ways! Expand your vocabulary of your sculptural glass by lighting up your forms. This class will focus on 2 areas. You must pick one:
A).Designing hollow sculpture for experienced flameworkers at a bench torch.
B). Fusers who would like to incorporate neon in bullseye or plate glass by creating a void. Very new idea!
The students will make hollow forms that will be filled and illuminated with noble gases (such as neon, argon, krypton, or xenon). The course will provide a basic understanding of neon. Demonstrations and discussions will encompass different gases, the effects of gas pressure (including plasma), different effects achieved by varying forms and transformer use. By the end of the workshop, you will leave with glass forms that are filled with gas and will illuminate the possibilities. Cut off date to register for this class will be OCT 1st!
Instructor: Jason Chakravarty
Dates: Columbus Day Weekend/ Sat-Sun-Mon /Oct 8-9-10
Time: 2 to 6pm each day
Tuition: $500 per student
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Class 1124 – Making Glass Sconces for your Home
wall sconce by Nancy Donnelly
Are you looking to brighten up your life? Do you want to see your house in a new light? Well, come in and make your own in this class! You’ll learn to cut, fuse and shape glass into a sconce. You will design your own mold, and make the hardware to mount the light. You will also learn how to safely wire and install your new sconce. No glass or electrical experience is necessary.
Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates: Wednesday eves, Nov 9 &16
Time : 7pm to 9:30pm each day
Tuition: $300 per student (all materials included)
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Class 1126 -Video As A Sculptural Medium
Have you been interested in the thought of working with video? Have you thought that maybe its time to add video to your artwork? Well, here’s the way! This 2 day workshop will help you begin your understanding of shooting and editing video. Using simple equipment, we will cover shooting, lighting, editing with iMovie and FinalCut, using video with current artwork, and narrative concepts. This class will be easier if you have a MacBook with iMovie or FinalCut loaded, or a PC Laptop with those programs. Come and get started with this adaptable artform! This class limited to 6 participants.
Instructor: Tim Tate / Pete Duvall
Dates: Sunday afternoons in Oct 23 & 30
Time : 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition: $300 per student
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Class 1127- Work At Your Own Pace / Open Studio
Already know the basics of casting or fusing? Open Studio gives each student the opportunity to work independently in a world class studio. Tuition includes a kiln firing per session, clear base glass and colored scrap glass, use of studio tools.
Instructor: Studio Staff
Dates: Wed/Thurs/Sat afternoons (call to confirm appointment)
Time: 1pm to 5pm
Tuition: $300 for 4 sessions
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For the list of NEW Fall 2011 Lampworking Classes – click HERE
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