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One of the most sought after glass techniques – Lost Wax Casting is coming soon to the Washington Glass School!
This is a great way to make 3-D elements in kilncast glass. Think of the sculptural possibilities!
Glass guru Tim Tate uses this technique to make sculptural glass elements that are part of his blown & cast glass reliquary artworks. The detail and control of of the form allows for the creation incredible works of art.
A view of some of Tim Tate’s cast glass elements made with the lost wax process.
Our instructor for this class, Debra Ruzinsky, was on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) faculty as Asst Professor of Glass, and has just come back from teaching this technique at the Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass.
Debra Ruzinsky works with the students on preparing the plaster encasement.
Have a look at the course description below – this could be the most interesting class you take this year!
Class 1021 – Basics of Lost Wax Casting
In this 3 day class we will make a sculptural vessel form in the “lost wax” method. Students will begin with a pre-made wax form that they learn to carve and alter. Students are asked to research surface design ideas prior to starting, bringing sketches, magazine clippings, xerox’s, etc.
Example of student lost wax work.
Petrovic & Tate Talk!
>New York’s Museum of Arts And Design current exhibition Dead or Alive features a collaborative artwork piece by Marc Petrovic and Tim Tate.
Apothecarium Moderne by Tim Tate & Marc Petrovic
photograph by Anything Photographic
The two artists discuss their collaboration and the story behind the artwork in a video made by the Museum of Arts and Design.
Click on image to jump to video of Tim Tate & Marc Petrovic.
Tim Tate Slave Dance
>Way back in 2006, the Washington, DC 48 Hour Film Project had all 99 competitors make a 5 minute movie – write, film, edit, score – all in 48 hours. A constant character, a prop, a line of dialogue and genre had to be incorporated into each movie. In 2006, the character in each submitted movie was “Tim Tate – glass sculptor extraordinaire” – and the character could be depicted in any manner. The name refers to the Washington Glass School’s director Tim Tate, but how the character was used and portrayed was up to each competitor.
One group submitting a film, the Resilient Young Asian Network, had a film titled “YourSpace” – and had a very funny use of the character “Tim Tate”.
In one scene’s background, an unnamed slave dancer dressed in black performs for the film’s Tim Tate character. He became an instant favorite – and his dance moves have been repeated at various art openings.
Click Here to see the full 5 minute movie “YourSpace” by the Resilient Young Asian Network.
Click Here to find more about the 48 Hour Film Festival.
click on image below to jump to film segment
Young Guns: Glass Blowers
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Michael Raman started lampworking, blowing and fusing glass at age 11, at GlassRoots – a NJ glass studio.
Located in Newark, NJ, GlassRoots was founded in January 2001 with the belief that communities can be transformed and elevated through the arts. Its mission statement is to “provide multiple opportunities for at-risk youth, ages 10-18, to realize their potential through the creation of glass art. As the only non-profit “hot shop” for young people in the greater New York metropolitan area, GlassRoots provides a nurturing environment in which otherwise underserved children can achieve self-esteem and creative expression while also learning basic business skills and valuable life lessons through the exploration of the unique art forms of glass making.”
When Michael was 13, his family moved to the DC area, and he sought out the glass blowing facilities at DC GlassWorks, where he impressed the owner Dave D’Orio with his skill and focus.
Now 15 years old, Michael assisted Marc Petrovic when he was here for the James Renwick Alliance workshop.
Mike Raman catching Marc Petrovic’s blown trout.
DC GlassWorks just had an Open House, where the young Michael worked with an even younger glassblower – a 12 year old named Logan – shown here working on his first piece. One can’t be but impressed with the enthusiasm, intensity of focus and skill of these young’uns ( babies actually!).
Click here to jump to Michael’s website.
Click here to jump to youtube video of Michael in action – doing a reticello bowl no less!
Gallery 555 Inaugural Show
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The new Penn Quarter art gallery “Gallery 555” opens its Inaugural Show featuring artwork by Michelle Cormier. The gallery also will showcase the artwork of Erwin Timmers, Kathy Wismar, Ani Katsen, Sabri Ben-Achour, Bruce Fransen, George VanDyke, Nancy Kubale, Tinne Debruijne, Ellyn Weiss, Alan Binstock and Ron Loyd.
“Gallery 555 is committed to supporting Washington DC area artists who create original works of art. Creativity achieved through a complexity of thought and design is appreciated and honored.” says Jodi Walsh, Gallery 555 owner.
Champagne Opening of Gallery 555
Sunday, May 23, 2010
1-5 pm
Gallery 555 is located in the lobby of 555 12th Street, NW, Washington, DC
202.393.1409
Click HERE for map.
Metro: Red, Blue and Orange lines at Metro Center Stop. Take 12th St exit, at top of escalator make a U-turn to 12th & F St.
Photos from WGS 9th Anniversary Open House
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Washington Glass School’s 9th anniversary party was a great event! Hundreds joined the artists and instructors celebrate – the event started with a parade complete with marching bands and the Mayor of Mount Rainier – Melinda Miles – greeting everyone.
The open house was lots of fun – the artists showcased their work, torchwork demos were held, with a collaborative artwork piece was made by the lampworkers during the day. 
Mayor Miles opens the parade – complete with marching bands, clowns, and politicians – (which is which?)
A view of one of the studios during open house.
Tim Tate chats up visitors to the school.
Alison Sigethy exhibits her eco-art.
David and JoAnn Pearcy set up glass jewelry. Valerie Hassett and friend viewing Kirk Waldroff’s cast glass prints.
Robert Kincheloe demos on the torch.
Jessica Beels discusses her sculpture.
The party gets into full swing- put yer hands in the air – woop! woop!
The next Washington Glass School Open House is in December – mark your calendars now!
Glass Signage Marks The Way
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Earlier in the year our blog documented the cast glass samples being trialed for the signage that would be mounted over the front door at the Washington Glass School.
What Can You Do With A Broken Bottle?
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Ok – we can all agree that there is some perverse enjoyment in the sound of breaking glass.
ReadyMade Magazine is sponsoring an event called Glassphemy in NY that exploits this cathartic process and ties in recycling as well.
Part game, part art installation, part mobile recycling center, Glassphemy! is a 20-by-30-foot steel structure lined with bulletproof glass. A person standing on one side can throw bottles at a friend or enemy who is standing in safety behind the clear wall on the other side. Satisfying crashes and bright lights ensue upon impact. Glassphemy! is about relieving psychological tension, having fun, and getting your recycling done all at the same time.
ReadyMade also is running a competition on what to do with the broken glass.
The glass can be in shard form, or it can be ground up further, melted, mixed with other materials–transformed in any way you can think of. Your design must incorporate broken glass, but it can include any other materials you like. You don’t need to make the thing you’re designing (though you can!). But you do need to provide a general description of how to make it: what the materials are and how it would come together.
You may submit your design in any form you like: Drawings on the back of a cocktail napkin, a 300-word essay, SketchUp files, a video of yourself describing it in words and hand gestures. Whatever best gets your idea across!
Send your design to info@readymademag.com, or mail it to:
ReadyMade Magazine, attn: Glassphemy! Contest, 125 Park Avenue, 18th Floor, New York NY 10017
The contest starts on May 12.
The entry deadline is Friday, June 4.
Click HERE to read more about Glassphemy!
Nancy Donnelly Takes on the Post
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“Black Heroes” by Niki de Saint Phalle – photo by Bill O’Leary/Washington Post
Blake criticizes the artwork by writing: “Covered in fragments of ceramic tile, in bright colors and gold and silver, the four sculptures are vivid and lively. They should bring a grin to the faces of passersby and lift the hearts of drivers. They are very good fun. Is that enough? “ (italics mine).
To jump to read the original Post review – click HERE.
Nancy responds in the Washington Post:
“So what is worth doing? Is there room for delight in the vocabulary of art? Perhaps. Sometimes perception is actually bigger than the current vocabulary of criticism. Not everybody wants always to be striving for a leg up, or to express anger or despair. Other sides of human experience are also valid, and a great relief.”
Read her full response in the Post – click HERE.
Happy Mother’s Day
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Hugs To Mom!
Detail from Tim Tate’s Summer Dreaming
cast and blown glass, electronics, original video 2010
photography by Anything Photographic
The cast glass flowers are based on the flowers in Tim’s mother’s garden.