Great Depth of Beauty in “Life in Layers” Exhibit

The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried Exhibition “Life in Layers” draws on the vast core of visual artists that live, work or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County. Juried by Philip Hutinet, Founder of East City Arts, a broad interpretation of the concept was sought, as each artist brings their unique background to the idea. Each moment layers on the previous ones and they create narratives and meaning through all media forms.

PG County’s Parks & Rec Visual Arts Specialist, Stuart Diekmeyer (Left) introduces juror Phil Hutinet (center) at opening reception of Life in Layers exhibit.

The 35th Annual Prince George’s County Juried Exhibition “Life in Layers” draws on the vast core of visual artists that live, work or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County. Juried by Philip Hutinet, Founder of East City Arts, a broad interpretation of the concept was sought, as each artist brings their unique background to the idea. Each moment layers on the previous ones and they create narratives and meaning through all media forms.

Erwin.Timmers.art from recycled glass and LED
Erwin Timmers, fused recycled glass, LED lighting, steel
Artist / Co-Director of the Washington Glass School, Erwin Timmers talks about his work in recycled glass and steel.
Michael Janis, “A Kind of Truth” kilnformed glass, sgraffito imagery, blown and silvered glass. Photo by Pete Duvall.
WGS Co-Director Michael Janis talks about his work and how it captures the mood of contemporary society.

About the Juror
Phil Hutinet, a third generation Capitol Hill resident, is the publisher of East City Art, DC’s Visual Arts publication of record, which he began in 2010. Hutinet has curated or produced over 150 group and solo exhibitions in his career. Currently, Hutinet produces the annual Capital Art Book Fair, a spring event held at Eastern Market’s North Hall that celebrates the diverse world of art books.

WGS Resident Artist – April Shelford – has a solo exhibit of her glass artwork in the “Front Window Gallery” and was also at the opening reception.

Artist April Shelford at the Opening Reception in the Brentwood Arts Center.
True to form – April Shelford adjusts her display.

Life in Layers – on exhibit thru January 6, 2024.

Brentwood Arts Exchange, An Arts Center of M-NCPPC, located at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue Brentwood, MD.

MICA Presents “Just A Drop”

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and the Curatorial Practice MFA (CP) Practicum class present “Just a Drop,” an exhibition on view in MICA’s Meyerhoff Gallery from February 10th to March 3rd, 2023. Through a wide range of objects and materials — including sculptures, illustrations, protest banners, textiles, glass art, videos, and a large-scale newly-commissioned mural — the 13 artists highlighted in this show reveal how water sustains life and shapes human destinies. Inspired by the September 2022 boil water advisory in West Baltimore, the five MICA students that organized “Just a Drop” dove deep into the history of the planet’s most precious resource. For this exhibition, a diverse group of artists, activists, and storytellers were brought together to describe people’s relationships to water via culture, ritual, and conservation. With personal, collective, and mythical imagery and stories, the featured artists invite viewers to reconsider the element that makes up 60% of their bodies and covers more than 70% of the planet’s surface.

Erwin Timmers; “Watered Down”, 2023, cast recycled float glass, steel, LED, 13″W x 39″H x 4″D.

Erwin Timmers is one of the artists in the exhibition, and his work – “Watered Down” is a wall mounted sculpture made of cast float glass. The artwork references the ubiquitous trash that fills the oceans – the disposed water bottle.

Erwin Timmers - environmental artist
Artist Erwin Timmers working in his studio at the Washington Glass School in Mt Rainier, MD.

Just a Drop” opens at 5:00PM on Friday, February 10th with a public reception featuring a live storytelling performance by Griot Grandmother Edna.

Location
Meyerhoff Gallery
1303 W Mount Royal Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21217

Erwin Timmers at Duncan McClellan Studio in St Pete

Washington Glass School Co-Founder & Co-Director Erwin Timmers was at the Duncan McClellan Gallery for the start of the exhibit “Dreams & Visions; Artists of the Washington Glass School”. The spectacular show features works by Christina Helowicz, Michael Janis, Tony Porto, Teri Swinhart, Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers and runs thru March 15th, 2023.

Erwin Timmers is introduced to the audience by Duncan McClellan.

Erwin also taught a workshop for kiln casting glass – teaching the students how to effect bas relief imagery in float glass.

Acadamy Prep students learn all about cool glass art from visiting artist Erwin Timmers.

The fun filled weekend started with a gallery visit from 7th graders from Academy Prep. They received a tour in the museum-quality art filled gallery, followed by a glass demonstration and more.

Erwin Timmers’ kiln casting class at Duncan McClellan Glass Studio underway in St Pete.
The workshop was lots of fun for the students – many who never worked with glass before.
Learning how to get detailed bas relief imagery got the students excited about the possibilities!
Working inside the special kilns at Duncan McClellan’s glass studio was a treat for the students.

The results! Awesome!!

Rockville, MD Artists & Makers Studios To Showcase Works By Erwin Timmers & Artists of the Washington Glass School

Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville will welcome artist Erwin Timmers along with Artists of the Washington Glass School for the exhibit “A Show of Hands”. The November 4th First Friday evening opening will run from 5pm – 9pm.

Erwin Timmers, “In Case of Emergency”; 2022, cast recycled glass, steel. Photo by Pete Duvall.

Erwin Timmers is the Co-founder and Director of the Washington Glass School. His work references sociological and environmental issues of concern to him, primarily how we, as a society, consume and discard precious resources. For this topic, the choice of materials becomes a more important discussion, so Erwin endeavors to use recycled materials to express concepts and ideas of recycling and use of the environment. Recycled glass is difficult to use, so he has had to develop new and experimental techniques to exploit the characteristics of this material. A Show of Hands explores personal and cultural traits as they relate to present day social trends. Technological “advances” have changed the landscape in human interaction, and social media focuses on aspects of cultural loss, fake news, mass manipulation, and diversion and division. This series is about the expression of nonverbal and abstract themes like trust, communication, and connection. Erwin’s portfolio showcases the possibility and beauty of recycled material, while encouraging the viewer to consider his or her environmental impact.

Erwin Timmers “A Show of Hands”
Featuring Artists of the Washington Glass School

Opening Reception
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Friday, November 4th, 2022

Artists & Makers Studios
11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210
Rockville, MD 20852

Artist Discussion with Erwin Timmers – November 12th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Exhibits for Erwin Timmers, the Resident Artists, and Gallery 209 will run from November 1st through November 22nd. Viewing hours are 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday-Saturday, and Sundays by chance or appointment.

Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville, established in October 2014 by artist and arts community builder Judith HeartSong, is a 13,000 sq. ft. facility is home to 87 artists, and 80 student artists. A&M Studios is dedicated to providing a supportive and vibrant environment for artists to realize their creative goals – through studio practice, collaboration, education, opportunities, networking and connecting with the community beyond.

WGS Featured Artist: Erwin Timmers

CLICK IT! Featured Artist: Erwin Timmers

Erwin Timmers is the co-founder of the Washington Glass Studio and Washington Glass School. Originally from Amsterdam, he moved to California and graduated from Santa Monica College for Design Arts and Architecture. In 1999 he moved to the Washington DC area and since then his sculptural artwork has been on display in Zenith Gallery, Fraser Gallery, and Gallery Neptune. Erwin was named the Montgomery County, MD Executive’s Award Outstanding Artist of the Year in 2018.

His approach to art is multifaceted, incorporating metalwork, innovative lighting and glass design. He teaches glass, lighting, sculpture, and metal work. Industrial salvage and recycling are recurring themes in his work, which he sees as crucial parts to the interaction with one’s surroundings. Recently, the Artisan 4100 – an apartment community opening along Route 1 in Brentwood, MD – commissioned Erwin Timmers to create a major glass and light installation for the new building lobby.

Artist Erwin Timmers installs Artisan 4100 Building artwork commission.

Artist Erwin Timmers installs Artisan 4100 Building artwork commission.

Washington Glass School blog catches up with Erwin as his work is part of the WGS Contemporary online exhibit “CLICK-IT!”.

Washington Glass School (WGS): Describe your artwork method/process.
Erwin Timmers: I cast objects in recycled glass. For this series I have used discarded packaging material, from which I take molds in plaster. The glass then heats up in an electric kiln, melts and takes on the shape of this mold. To finish I chop, and trim the glass and weld the metal frame.

Erwin Timmers, "Patterns of Containment V" cast recycled glass

Erwin Timmers, “Patterns of Containment V” cast recycled glass

WGS: Describe your work in the show and highlight aspects that the viewers should understand about the work.

Erwin Timmers: The work features single-use plastic wrappings that viewers may recognize. The grid format formalizes the display of “trash” as art and then I use grids within each frame as well. I hope to give viewers a moment of pause while contemplating the shapes and patterns.

Erwin Timmer: detail "Patterns of Containment"

Erwin Timmer: detail “Patterns of Containment”

WGS: How have you handled the Covid lockdown?

Erwin Timmers: Initially COVID was like snow days we hadn’t had, but with great weather. That was before any financial pressure came into play. It was motivating to see the air pollution worldwide go down, I wish it could stay like that. But at the same time the single use plastic pollution is increasing, giving me even more art base materials…

WGS: What artwork/event has moved you and got you thinking about your own work?
Erwin Timmers: The current civil crisis has been deeply moving. It caused me to rethink and redevelop the direction of my hands symbol series.

WGS: if you were not an artist – what would you be?
Erwin Timmers: Epidemiologist 

Erwin Timmers suits up in his PPE gear to work in the studio.

Erwin Timmers suits up in his PPE gear to work in the studio. Or tend the studio bee-hives.

WGS: Do you do a lot of planning in your work – or is there an element of chance while working?
Erwin Timmers: I plan the general idea, but often new ideas and aspects emerge as I work. I try to incorporate these, and I can then evaluate whether they work or not.

WGS: What is your rule of thumb in determining when a work is finished?
Erwin Timmers: When I sign it, it is done…

Click here to jump to Erwin Timmers work in CLICK-IT!
Erwin’s work is part of the companion exhibit/fundraiser – “Artists for Racial Justice” Click HERE to jump to the show.

The Many Facets of Erwin Timmers

Like a finely cut diamond, there are many sides to our Mr. Timmers.

Come hear eco-glass artist Erwin Timmers discuss his work. Thoughtful and ingenious, Erwin’ sculpture calls attention to contemporary issues through a creative re-engineering of often-overlooked forms and concepts, often focusing on industrial salvage and recycling.

In the opinion of many, he’s also one of the “earliest” green artists on the planet.

Erwin Timmers’ cast recycled window glass sculpture at Brentwood Arts

Artist Talk:  Saturday, June 22, 2:00pm 
Brentwood Arts Exchange – exchanging ideas through art

located in the Gateway Arts Center
3901 Rhode Island Avenue
Brentwood, MD 20722
301-277-2863/ tty. 301-446-6802
email: pgp-brentwood-arts@pgparks.com

Erwin Timmers at Brentwood Arts Exchange "Front Window Gallery"

Erwin Timmers cast recycled glass artwork on view May 11 – June 29, 2013.

The Brentwood Arts Exchange presents its Front Window Featured Artist: eco-artist Erwin Timmers. 

 

Glass sculptor and Washington Glass School co-founder, Erwin Timmers’ colorful eco-friendly glass sculpture will be on display in the Brentwood Arts Exchange gallery’s Front Window Gallery from May 11 – June 29, 2013. Thoughtful and ingenious, Erwin’s sculpture calls attention to contemporary issues through a creative re-engineering of often-overlooked forms and concepts, often focusing on industrial salvage and recycling. Erwin is featured in various prominent collections and has received numerous commissions. His eco-artwork has been on display in Zenith Gallery, Fraser Gallery, and Bender Gallery in Asheville, NC.


Reception: Sat., May 11, 2013, 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Gallery Artist Talk: June 22, at 2:00pm


Brentwood Arts Exchange Gallery Hours:

Monday – Friday: 10am-7pm

Saturday: 10am-4pm


Brentwood Arts Exchange in Gateway Arts Center is located at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue Brentwood, MD.


Contact the gallery at 301-277-2863 or tty. 301-446-6802, via email at pgp-brentwood-arts@pgparks.com or visit them online at arts.pgparks.com.

Erwin Timmers : Alchemical Vessel

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.

Erwin Timmers Glass Artwork @ 30th Smithsonian Craft Show

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Among the 121 artists on display this weekend at the 30th annual Smithsonian Craft Show, Erwin Timmers’ glass artwork made from recycled glass sparkle like gemstones.

Erwin (also known as the “KING of Recycling”) uses glass diverted from the waste stream as his main source of raw material for his creations. Environmental integrity may be the inspiration of his work, but the result is pure beauty. Erwin has said that his work looks to bring out the unseen qualities that are often overlooked.

Make sure you stop in at the KING of Recycling’s space at the Smithsonian Craft Show held at the National Building in Washington, DC.

Smithsonian Craft Show
April 19 – 22, 2012
Erwin Timmers – Space 503
National Building Museum
(Judiciary Sq. Metro – Red Line)
401 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Erwin Timmers: The Art of Recycling

>Erwin Timmers’ artwork and sculpture using recycled and components diverted from the waste stream had caught the eye of a photojournalist, and his work so intrigued her that she made a short documentary about Erwin’s work and philosophy. Below is a link to the video made by Uliana Bazar:

The Art of Recycling With Erwin Timmers from uliana bazar on Vimeo.

Uliana Bazar is currently working on a Masters in New Media Photojournalism at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, DC.