The National Capital Art Glass Guild (NCAGG) was founded in 1978 as a community of artisans interested in art glass. Every year Guild members conduct classes in many glass techniques and present programs to interested schools, organizations, and community groups.
WGS Artists at NCAGG Exhibit L-R Patricia de Poel Wiberg, Kate Barfield, April Shelford, Graciela Granek, Michael Janis, John Henderson.
The juried NCAGG member show at the Strathmore Mansion features outstanding works by area glassmakers in multiple styles – and many works by WGS artists!
Patricia de Poel WilbergApril ShelfordKate Barfield
The show runs through October 28, 2023
April Shelford in awe of Erwin Timmers’ cast sculptures.
Art Glass Afternoon is back! Florida’s Duncan McClellan Gallery (DMG) continues their exhibit of works by artists from the Washington Glass School (WGS). Co-Directors Tim Tate and Michael Janis will be in sunny FLA to participate in talks and demos!
Join Duncan McClellan Gallery Sunday, February 26th, for this ART GLASS filled day- Free and Open to the public!
WGS artist Michael Janis works on a public art project in the Washington Glass Studio.
Michael Janis will give a presentation on how his background as an architect and designer influences both his personal art and the Washington Glass Studio’s site-specific art installations.
Sunday, February 26th, 10am-Noon
Visiting artist Tim Tate will be creating in the Hot Glass Studio.
Don’t miss the rare opportunity to watch this legendary artist at work.
Sunday, February 26, 10am-3pm
Our popular visiting artists’ lecture series returns with talks from Danish Artists of Backhaus-Brown and Egeværk Studios, and Michael Janis and Tim Tate of the Washington Glass School.
Full Schedule
10am-Noon: Glass blowing Demonstration by visiting DC artist Tim Tate in the Hot Glass Studio with Jeremiah Jacobs and the St. Pete Hot Glass team.
Noon- 1pm: The Danish Artists from Glasskibe talk about their collaborative studios and the inspiring body of work they create together
1:-1:30pm: Michael Janis will give a presentation on how his background as an architect and designer influences both his personal art and the Washington Glass Studio’s site-specific art installations.
During this lecture, Janis will talk about how community involvement creates successful public art works. He will also give insight into the inspiration and technique behind his evocative glass powder imagery.
1:30-2:30pm: Tim Tate’s talk at 1:30pm will focus on “Glass in the 21st Century”.
Artists will be available after the talks to visit with you personally!
Glasskibe: The maritime history of Hundested (Denmark) and the imagery of Viking ships passing have inspired two of the harbour’s contemporary craft companies; cabinetmakers Egeværk and glass artist Backhaus & Brown. These two award-winning workshops have combined their masterful crafts in an innovative collaboration; namely a series of unique sculptures named ”Glasskibe” – Viking ships in glass and wood.
Michael Janis developed a focus on glass after working for twenty years as an architect in the United States and Australia. His work has been shown at major galleries and art fairs and is included in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, Massachusetts Fuller Craft Museum, Florida’s Imagine Museum, Fort Wayne Museum of Art and Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA. In 2012, awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, Michael taught at the UK’s University of Sunderland and the UK National Glass Centre. Michael was awarded the Washington, DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2016. His collaborative work with Tim Tate was featured at the 2022 Venice Biennale at Glasstress.
Tim Tate has been working with glass as a sculptural medium for the past 25 years. Co-Founder of the Washington Glass School, Tim’s work is in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery and the Mint Museum. His work has been shown at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Fuller Museum, the Asheville Art Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and was Artist-In-Residence at the Institute for International Glass Research (IIRG) in the UK. Tim was named “Distinguished Artist in Glass” by the James Renwick Alliance in 2018. He participated in the Venice Biennale Glasstress show with Ai Wei Wei in 2019, the Boca Raton Museum Glasstress in 2021 and again in Murano in 2022. Last year, Tim’s work was featured at the Hermitage, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Washington Glass Show Exhibition in the gallery: Shown-works by Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Christina Helowicz, Erwin Timmers and Teri Swinhart. (Also shown-Richard Jolley.)
Duncan McClellan Gallery address is: 2342 Emerson Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Duncan McClellan Gallery in St Petersburg, FL features Washington Glass Studio artists in “Dreams and Visions” Opening Jan 12 thru March 5.
“Dreams & Visions” at Duncan McClellan Gallery, St Petersburg, FL. Now thru Mar 15, 2023.
“Dreams and Visions” features glass artwork that grapples with the truths of contemporary reality while employing familiar narrative motifs found in pop culture, myths and legends. Featuring artworks by Christina Helowicz, Michael Janis, Tony Porto, Teri Swinhart, Tim Tate, and Erwin Timmers.
View of Duncan McClellan Gallery featuring artists from the Washington Glass School.
Erwin Timmers will teach a hands-on workshop for kiln casting on January 21st, 2023.
Located in the Warehouse Arts District – A showcase for US & international glass artists.
All of us at the Washington Glass School & Studio Wish You and Family a Joyous Holiday Season! And a Happy Healthy New Year!
(L-R) Patricia De Poel Wilberg, Erwin Timmers, Christina Helowicz, Nancy Kronstadt, Kate Barfield, Tim Tate, April Shelford, Michael Janis, Trish Kent and John Henderson. Not pictured: Graciela Granek, Sean Robinson, Diane Cabe, Gabrielle Morris, Kyle Crosby, and Daphne Matyas.
The Annual Prince George’s County Juried Exhibition, now in its 34th year, draws on the vast core of visual artists that live, work, or maintain a studio in Prince George’s County. This exhibition also serves to foster an inclusive spirit among the participating artists as well as showcase their talents, skills, and diverse use of mediums. This year’s exhibit is themed “Hope & Healing”, presenting works that reflect and symbolize what connects us as people and what gives faith and optimism for the future of our society.
Washington Glass School is so proud of Resident artist April Shelford – whose work titled “Summer” was selected for the exhibition.
April Shelford, “Summer”, 2022, kilncast glass, steel. Photo by Pete Duvall.
34TH ANNUAL PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY JURIED EXHIBITION
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
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.
McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) – on of the DMV leading contemporary visual arts organizations will present an invitational exhibition focused on Artist/Educators.
Continuum: Artists Teaching Artists is an invitational exhibition highlighting works by artists who give significant time to teaching, mentoring, and community-building, while continuing to sustain and develop strong and innovative personal bodies of work. Continuum includes works from Artist/Educators from most of the area colleges and universities, including George Mason, George Washington, Georgetown, Northern Virginia Community College, University of Maryland, and Maryland Institute College of Art. Also represented are some teaching institutes such as the Washington Glass School.
All of the participants are as dedicated to their on-going artistic practice as they are to their students, and vice versa.
Continuum featured artists include: David Carlson, Patrick Craig, Robert Devers, Kate Fitzpatrick, Helen Frederick, Janis Goodman, Reni Gower, Michael Janis, Maria Karametou, Steve Prince, John Ruppert, Foon Sham, Judy Southerland, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Stephanie Williams, Sue Wrbican, Peter Winant.
Continuum: Artists Teaching Artists
September 16 – November 10, 2022
Opening Exhibition Reception September 22, 2022 from 7-9pm
Save The Date! May 14th is the proposed date for Washington Glass School Open Studio Tour! Many of the surrounding art studios and galleries will be participating! We will follow health protocols – and it will be great to see all in real life! Come and see what’s new and what has been shaking at the studio!
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.
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
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”
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. 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…
This Saturday, December 15th, from Noon til 5pm – The largest cluster of studios in the Gateway Arts District open their doors to the public for our Winter Open Studios. Participating Artists:
WGS Contemporary : 3700 Otis Street, Mt Rainier Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Laura Beth Konopinski, April Shelford, Patricia de Poel Wilberg, Max DeMulder, Debbi LoCicero, John Henderson, Trish Kent _ OTIS STREET ARTS PROJECT: 3706/ 3708 Otis Street, Mt Rainier David Mordini, Lorenzo Cardim, Gloria Chapa, Chris Bohner, Art Drauglis, Kirsty Little, Melissa Allen, CeCi Cole McInturff, Elizabeth Curren, Eric Gordon, Nick Alberti, Shelley Lowenstein, Liz Lescault, Lisa Rosenstein, SPECIAL GUEST: East City Arts, Jenna North, Zofie King, Sean Hennessey, Gareth Branwyn. _ 3700 WELLS & BLUE FIRE STUDIOS: Mt Rainier Arlette Jassel, Roberto Devers, Margaret Flaherty, Patrecia de Poel Wilbert _ WHITE POINT STUDIO: 3708 Wells Avenue, Mt Rainier Laurel Lukaszewski, Kate Kretz, Tamara Laird, Julia Walther, Jo Ellen Walker _ ORANGE DOOR STUDIOS: 3706 Wells Ave, Mt Rainier Ellyn Weiss, Ellen Sinel, Sally Kauffman, Veronica Szalus _ 3706 Otis (rear), Mt Rainier Valerie Theberge, Shahin Talishkhan, Sharon Robinson _ BLUE DOOR STUDIOS: 3704 Otis St (Rear), Mt Rainier Alonzo Davis, Alec Simpson _ TANGLEWOOD STUDIOS: 3613 Oak Lane, Mt Rainier Tanglewood Sue, Peter McClintock _ JANIS GOODMAN: 3702 Otis (rear) _ Joe Hicks Ceramics 3709 37th Street Mount Rainier
