Author Archives: Michael Janis

Erwin Timmers : Alchemical Vessel

Posted on by |

The Smith Center for Healing and the Arts will have a special exhibit and fund raising benefit. Titled ‘Alchemical Vessels‘, this initiative will feature the work of 125 artists, selected by 16 invited curators, to engage in a community dialogue on healing and transformation through the arts. Each artist has transformed a provided ceramic bowl using their own personal aesthetic and medium, drawing inspiration from the bowl as a place of holding, open community, a circle of care, sacred space, nourishment, and even the alchemical vessel. 

Erwin Timmers “Message In A Bottle” kilnformed recycled glass, ceramic

Washington Glass School’s Co-Director has created a work using his signature cast recycled glass. In honor of Earth Day, we are posting about his work in the upcoming show.

Said Erwin of his artwork for the show at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery: “The alchemical vessel speaks about creating purity, harmony and the healing that flows from it.  My work focuses on the disharmony we see in nature and our environment, which has a pronounced impact on our own wellbeing. This [vessel] references how we, as a society, consume and discard resources without much consideration.  I use the water bottle, a vessel in its own right, as a symbol of a useful everyday object that people use and discard thoughtlessly and which has now been severely overused.  Last year we consumed 28 billion plastic bottles, and only roughly 15% of them got recycled.”

“Using the medium of casting recycled glass and specific techniques to manipulate this medium” said Erwin of his glass sculpture, “my work invites the viewer to consider not only the end product, but also the origin of the piece and the process of re-creation. I hope my work showcases the possibility and beauty of recycled material, while encouraging the viewer to consider his or her environmental impact.”

Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm Center, 1632 U St NW, DC

Alchemical Vessels Benefit: May 17, 2013, 7-9pm

About the Benefit
100% of the ticket sale proceeds will go to support Smith Center’s life-enhancing work and programs for people living with and recovering from cancer.

Benefit Ticket information:

Benefit tickets $125: 125 Benefit tickets will be sold, and each ticket holder at this level will be given the opportunity to select a piece of art. Priority will be given by the order in which the tickets were purchased—so the first to buy a ticket will be awarded first pick of the 125 works, and so on. All 125 works will remain in the show until after the closing of the exhibition on June 7, at which time the new owners can pick them up.

Supporter ticket: $50: This price level is good for entrance to the Benefit only. Ticket holders at this level do not get to keep a piece of art.

If you have trouble purchasing tickets, please call 202.483.8600 or email them at outreach@smithcenter.org.

Posted in art from recycled material, cast recycled glass, earth day, earthday, erwin timmers, fused float glass, Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts, smith center, smith farm, sustainable art design

The Process: Nancy Donnelly Creates Baptismal Font

Posted on by |

As part of the ongoing series titled “The Process” the Washington Glass School blog focuses on the methodology of an artist or technique. Today, Nancy Donnelly gives an in-depth look at a glass artwork commission she has recently completed for the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA. Have a look as she outlines how she made the fused glass central baptismal font for the church.

For this community, baptism is the central rite. Nancy describes what they were looking for in art glass: “They wanted to see the water in action…they wanted a big bowl, nice shallow curve so the water would be scoopable, clear glass with a wavelet pattern in blues, darker in the center and fading toward the rim.”  The font was to be situated in the center of the space, located in a stand that would reveal the water to the congregation.

Nancy made a variety of bowls.

Said Nancy, “I’ve made many glass bowls, but none that big. I knew there would be a number of samples made until I got it right and could present the best one.” Nancy made a number of fused glass test pieces in the Washington Glass Studio. 
Nancy was concerned about how the colors looked and how the edges would be finished, as well as how deep a bowl profile was needed. 

Test 3 – issues arose on how the glass edges could grab the sides of the molds as it moved down.

Nancy said of her test process, “I made glass sandwiches, (colored frit fused between two sheets of glass). I knew this method could be risky, as bubbles could form as the trapped air is locked between the sheets of glass as the glass melts. Bubbles are part of glass, and my worry was, how big is too big?“

Nancy also wanted to emphasize the feeling of rippling water. “In the first go, my wavelets looked like little upside-down drawings of seagulls. The second try I got a lot of big bubbles at the rim. On the third one, I tried avoided bubbles by filling in with clear frit, which did not turn out well!” she explained. In the final glass baptismal font, the aqua colors of the frit have a nice, soft undulating texture.

Senior Pastor Deborah McKinley at the Baptismal Font

The glass baptismal was completed and installed in time for the Easter holiday, and the glass was well received by the Lewinsville congregation. Well done, Nancy!

Posted in architectural application glass, church glass, Nancy Donnelly, the process

Happy Birthday Mies!

Posted on by |

Famed Bauhaus Modern architect Mies van der Rohe was born 127 years ago today.  Along with other post-World War I architects, such as Walter Gropius and Le Corbusier, Mies‘ aesthetic came to define what “modern” looked like in the 20th century.

Seventy-five years ago, Mies van der Rohe arrived in the United States to lead the College of Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago and profoundly influence the world’s taste and built environment.

As an architecture student at IIT, the Bauhaus-derived philosophy that was based on a deep understanding of materials before the design process could begin had a profound impact on my work. The rigorous discipline instilled a focus on craftsmanship, of which I still rely.

Often the design studies had students learning how to get the maximum from the minimum – above is a 1928 collage by Albrecht Heubner, that was titled Minimal Dwelling – I find that my appreciation of Dadaist imagery and humor must have come from this background. 

Have a slice of Mies –

Leandro Erlich’s “Chocolate Mies van der Rohe Barcelona couch” Cake

Posted in chicago, dada, iit, mies

Gauguin Lecture at Montgomery College

Posted on by |

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE


“Gauguin, the Self, and  

   the Metaphysics of Identity”

A Lecture-Discussion with

Prof. Claudia Rousseau, Art History and Prof. Daniel Jenkins, Philosophy


The talk will feature explanations of some of Gauguin’s paintings. The talk is free and open to the public. 

Thursday, March 28, 2013

5:00 PM

The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center

Auditorium – Room 101

Posted in claudia rousseau, gauguin, montgomery college

High Tea at the International Glass & Clay Exhibit

Posted on by |

The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) held a “Tea with the Brits” wrap-up social at the International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit held at Pepco Gallery. Artomatic and the DCCAH have held a collaborative exhibition of glass and ceramics featuring artists from the Sister Cities of Sunderland, England and Washington, DC., ending in high style with a final event held at the gallery. Photos by Miriam Rosenthal.

Tea, cucumber sandwiches, fresh made scones with home-made jams and clotted cream, and a spot of dry sherry were on the menu. 
Artomatic’s George Koch addresses the JRA audience.
Novie Trump talks about Laurel Lukaszewski’s ceramic sculpture.
Novie Trump and Michael Janis discuss UK glass artist Colin Rennie’s work.
High Tea presenters and organizers (L-R) Novie Trump, Bonnie Schwartz, Mallory Lawson, George Koch,  Michael Janis.

The closing night event of the International Glass & Clay event finished the exhibit with great fun and last minute sales. All agreed that we will miss the fantastic artwork that has been on display, and that with such good results, the connections with our UK artists and colleagues have been made stronger! When is the next collaborative show is the question we all ask!

Posted in artomatic, sunderland, uk, us, washington

American Craft Council on International Glass & Clay Exhibit

Posted on by |

Erwin Timmers, Rebound, part of the 2013 International Glass + Clay show in Washington, DC – photo by Pete Duvall.

The American Craft Council (ACC) gives the Washington, DC US/UK collaborative glass and clay show a mention in the ACC’s roundup of national exhibits:

“No time to lose! The 2013 International Glass + Clay runs through March 23 at Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington, DC. It’s a spectacular showcase of artists from Washington, DC and Sunderland, England, the third creative collaboration since the cities signed a friendship agreement in 2006.”

The International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit is open through March 23, 2013, at Washington, DC’s Pepco Edison Place Gallery, located at 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH

Posted in ACC, american craft council, ceramic, erwin timmers, glass, international glass and clay, pepco edison place gallery

Reminder: Panel Discussion about Fulbright Program @ Pepco Edison Place Gallery

Posted on by |

Today, Saturday, March 9

The Fulbright Program, now in its 65th year, has amassed an alumni body of almost 300,000 participants, representing nearly every nation of the world. The Program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually. Roughly 1,700 U.S. students, 4,000 foreign students, 1,200 U.S. scholars, and 900 visiting scholars receive awards, in addition to several hundred teachers and professionals. Approximately 318,000 “Fulbrighters” have participated in the Program since its inception in 1946.

Michael Janis Fulbright Scholar
WGS Fulbrighter Michael Janis
WGS Fulbrighter Tim Tate

Join us today, Saturday, March 9th as we discuss the “Fulbright Experience ” with a roundtable of Fulbright Scholars from area universities.

Details: Saturday, March 9th

Reception 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Panel Discussion 1:00 – 2:30 pm

 

The Fulbright roundtable discussion is part of the events that make up the International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit held at the Pepco Edison Gallery at 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.

Posted in artomatic, DCCAH, fulbright scholar, fulbright scholar michael janis, fulbright scholar tim tate, glass and clay, pepco edison place gallery, sister city

Workhouse Arts Center "Ephemeral: Interpretations of the Cherry Blossom"

Posted on by |

 

An exhibition on the ephemeral nature of the cherry blossom. Curated by Laurel Lukaszewski and Komelia Hongja Okim, the exhibition will explore fleeting moments captured in art and celebrate the cherry blossom and Asian and American relations. The exhibition will also feature a Cherry Blossom Festival at the Workhouse on April 6.

Artists in this exhibition include: Glass artists Michael Janis and Robert Kincheloe, photographer David Douglas, painters Sumita Kim and Jun Chul Kim, and sculptures Akemi Maegawa, Dalya Luttwak and David Loren Gerlach.

Public Opening Reception: Saturday, March 9, 6-9pm

 

Workhouse Arts Center 

9601 Ox Rd.
Lorton, VA

703-584-2900

Posted in cherry blossom festival, laurel lukaszewski, robert kincheloe, workhouse arts center

Panel Discussion held at International Glass + Clay 2013

Posted on by |

Artists and Creative Businesses from the UK City of Sunderland and the District of Columbia discuss their views about international efforts and the impact these relationships can have on their practices.  The discussion will particularly draw on their experience within the Washington DC – Sunderland Friendship Agreement.


Presenters: 

Anne Tye, Sector Specialist, Creative Industries, Sunderland England

UK Artists: Phil Vickery and Criss Chaney 

Washington, DC Artists: Novie Trump, Director, FLUX Studio and Michael Janis, Co-Director, Washington Glass School. 

 

5:30 – 7:00 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The panel discussion is part of the events planned during the International Glass and Clay exhibit, open thru March 23, 2013. The talk is free and open to the public. Location: Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20068.

Posted in creative economy, dc sister city, sunderland, uk, usa