cool class | Washington Glass Studio

New Washington Glass School Class Schedule

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Chip Montague |

>The new Glass School schedule is out – have a looky-loo at the lineup!

April – August 2012 Class Schedule

Class 1301- Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend

glass lovers

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 Winter session.

Instructors Mick Coughlan
Dates Offered twice this summer :
Session 1301A – June 16/17
Session 1301B– Aug 18/19
Time 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition $300 per student (all materials included)

Class 1302- Steel and Glass Sculptural Development

erin.antognoli.works on sculpture

For this incredible class, we are teaming up with our sister school at DC GlassWorks to form this amazing collaborative experience. For anyone who has dreamed of creating true sculptural work, this is the class for you! This unusual class will feature 5 Sunday workshops, some discussing sculptural theory, while most are simply hands on with material in both studios. Students will be introduced to the basics of metal working, glass casting and fusing, and aluminum casting. This class is designed for anyone from beginner to the most advanced, no prior knowledge of glass, steel or aluminum are necessary. (An 18″ height restriction will be imposed on all pieces).

Instructors: Dave D’Orio, Erwin Timmers

Dates: Sunday Afternoons in May (6, 13, 20, 27)/June (3)

Times: 1pm to 5pm each day

Tuition : $450

Class 1303-Glass Lighting For Your Home

red lamp

This class will bring some serious color to your life, and brighten up your living space. This is yet another installment in the popular lighting series, and will focus on ceiling lamps. You will design your own glass, create your own shape, and have your choice of several different hanging or mounting options. For considerably less than the price of a designer fixture, you can put your own name on one. Tuition includes mold materials, glass, and mounting hardware. Some glass experience is useful, but not necessary and electrical experience will be provided.

Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates: Wednesday evenings in May/June (30, 6, 13)
Time: 7 to 9:30 pm
Tuition: $350

Class 1304- Elements Of 21st Century Reliquaries

novie Video Reliquary/dreams

Reliquaries with internal healing objects have been important cultural objects for centuries. They have been made with a wide variety of materials. But what makes a reliquary in the 21st century? What elements can go inside? Which materials seem most appropriate in modern times?

In this class we will utilize clay and glass to explore current concepts in reliquary forms. This class will be split between a clay and kiln cast glass studio, allowing each participant the use of both materials and many techniques. There will be a wine and cheese reception at the end of this workshop to allow friends to see the work in a professional setting.

Instructors : Tim Tate/Novie Trump

Dates : Sat/Suns in July/Aug (July 14,15,21,22,28,Aug 4,11)

Time : 1pm to 5pm

Tuition : $600

Class 1305 – Bas Relief In Glass (An Overview of Dry Plaster Casting)

Dry Plaster Casting

Tired of working flat? Want an easy way to get some real depth into your glass? Here’s a fun class where you will learn one of the easiest methods of kilncasting sheet glass to achieve bas-relief sculpture. This incredibly versatile method has endless fine art and architectural applications. In this two day class, we will discuss different types of glass and their firing schedules. Working with color and how it can affect dimensional casting will also be explored. Bring items you may want to cast with this method or choose from our image library. All materials and firings included.

Instructors : Michael Janis
Dates : Sats – June 2nd and 9th
Time : 2 pm to 5 pm
Tuition : $300

Class 1306- Open Studio – Work At Your Own Pace

Beginner's Glass Lovers

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

Posted in class schedule, cool class, glass and ceramic

New Class Added to Schedule – Basic Arduino!

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Michael Janis |

A new class has been added to the class schedule for the Washington Glass School Fall/Winter Schedule:

Class 1125- Using New Technology in Your Artwork – Basic Arduino For Artists arduino

Here’s a class is specifically designed for artists who want to incorporate programmable electronics into their existing artwork. The Arduino is a small, versatile and simple controller that’s been been used and tested by the tech savvy crowd and is now ready for artistic use. Use this new technology to make your artwork more interactive, add a 4th dimension to your 3-d sculpture, or have motion controlled sound emanate from your paintings!

Its time to enter the 21st century!

We will be focusing on work that will contain movement, light or sound. The first day we will survey what‘s out in the world, while dissecting its components. Day 2 will focus on your designs and how to incorporate these interactions into it. This is the day you need to come in with ideas! Day 3 will be the final assembly so that you will be able to go forth into the new millennium of artistic expression! No prior programming or electronic experience is neccessary, but always helps of course!

Instructor: Chris Petrelli / Erwin Timmers / Tim Tate

Dates : Sundays in Oct. (2,9 & 16)

Time : 9:30am to 1:30pm each day

Tuition : $500 per student

For more info on classes and to pay online- click HERE.

Posted in 21st century sculpture, arduino, computer, cool class, electronics

New Fall Class Schedule – Part 1

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Michael Janis |

>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!

Maybe you are looking for a jolt to your visual expression and are looking to branch out from your comfort zone by incorporating video, but had no idea how to start. Here’s a way! The 2-day workshop “Video As A Sculptural Medium” will help you begin your understanding of shooting and editing video. Awesomer!

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

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)

___________________________________________________

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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Class 1122 – Eco-Tables

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

___________________________________________________

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

___________________________________________________

Class 1127- Work At Your Own Pace / Open Studio

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

__________________

Posted in 2011, cool class, electronics and glass, fall class schedule, new class, tech, video

New Flamework Class Schedule

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Michael Janis |

>
Now that Spring has sprung – its time to get busy! Below are the new Spring/Summer Torchworking class offerings –

Class 1108 – Flamework Club – 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)

_________________________________________
Class 1109 – Flameworkers Weekend Workshop

Develop your sculptural voice through working with glass at the bench torch. This 2-day workshop will focus on advancing your individual skills while allowing you to work on your own personal sculptural projects. In this free-form workshop the participants will be able to not only learn techniques necessary to accomplish their personal projects, but also be able to learn the techniques required by others. The materials fee provides student with an 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. This is a fun way to reinforce your skills while working with other great artists! Class Limit: 6 students
Instructor : Robert Kincheloe
Dates : Session A Sat/Sun April 23 & 24

Session B Sat/Sun May 28 & 29

Session C Sat/Sun June 25 & 26

Time : 11 am – 5pm
Tuition : $250 +$50 material fee (pay material fee to instructor in class)

________________________________________
Class 1110 – 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 May 21 & 22
Time : 10 am – 1pm (the 1:30pm to 5pm open lampwork studio directly following the class is free to any class member)
Tuition : $250 +$50 material fee (pay material fee to instructor in class)

____________________________________
Class 1111 – Coldworking 101 – How to Grind and Polish

Learn how to incorporate coldworking techniques into your glass art. This 1-day class will focus on skills that are the basis of coldworking glass on the flat lap grinder. You will come away with knowledge and the ability to work safely and effectively with coldworking equipment! Robert will explain and demonstrate how the various pieces of equipment in the studio are used so that the students gain familiarity with what tools are available and how they can be properly utilized for glass art. The materials fee provides student with several “Blank” forms that they can use to practice these techniques. Students are also encouraged to bring small glass items that are less than 2″ in surface are to experiment with. Class Limit: 8 students
Instructor : Robert Kincheloe
Dates : Sat May 7
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $130 +$20 material fee (pay material fee to instructor in class)

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PayPal WGS Spring/Summer 2011 Flamework Class Registration

Scroll down & Click on class listing

Posted in cool class, flamework, fun class, lampwork, lampworking, torch work

New Spring & Summer Class Schedule

Posted on March 20, 2011 by Michael Janis |

>It has been said that Spring is Nature’s way of saying: Let’s Party! – so why fight it? In the spirit of the season – here is the NEW Washington Glass School class schedule! The Lampworking Schedule will be online shortly.

Class 1046 – Turning Your Wood – Cuts and Lino – Cuts Into Cast Glass Panels

This incredible process will allow your wood cuts or lino cuts to be duplicated in a cast glass panel with out harming your original cut piece! What a miraculous way for that printing technique to be used architecturally! You can also print from the glass plate. Imagine a wall of your wood cuts all translated into glass, then gridded out within in a metal frame….and made into a 10 ft high x 20 ft long wall. Or as simple a single back-lit glass panel! ….The possibilities are myriad! This is the perfect way for a lino cut printer to enter the world of large scale public art or to incorporate a quality of translucency into their work. The process is very simple to learn ……. and it will expand your artistic dialog exponentially …. All while using your own imagery!

Instructor	Kirk Waldroff
Dates	Saturdays April 2,9 & 16
Time	1pm – 5pm
Tuition	$300

kirk.waldroff.print_paper

Class 1101 – Lighting Solutions For Your Home

This class will bring some serious color to your life, and brighten up your living space. This is the perfect way to use glass in a most practical application: ceiling lamps. You will design your own colored glass, determine your own shape, and have your choice of several different hanging or mounting options. For considerably less than the price of a designer fixture, you can put your own name on one. Tuition includes glass, mold materials, and mounting hardware. No glass experience is needed, and electrical experience will be provided.

Instructor	Erwin Timmers
Dates	Wed Evenings in May 4,11 & 18
Time	7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition	$300

pendant light

Class 1102 – Beginner’s Glass Lovers Weekend

Instructor	Robert Kincheloe, Tim Tate
Dates	Session 1102A Sat/Sun May 21 & 21 Session 1102B Sat/Sun July 16 & 17
Time	1 pm to 5 pm each day
Tuition	$300 per student (all materials included)

kilnformed glass

Class 1103 – Going Green – Recycled Glass Art Workshop

Green up your life by doing something creative to help the environment! This is an exploration into using recycled glass to make sculptural pieces, architectural elements, and tableware. 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 in June (1,8,15)
Time	7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition	$350

Class 1104 – Hot Class Casting with Glass Inclusions and Cast Metal Bases

Here is this summer’s fun and unusual crossover class! Start here at the Washington Glass School making molds from clay or lost wax. After those parts are cast and cleaned up….we next head to our sister school, DC Glassworks and ladle cast glass over those inclusions and then pour molten aluminum for the bases. This is one intense class! While it will be a lot of work…..the results will be purely sculptural.

Instructor	Dave D’Orio, Tim Tate & Erwin Timmers
Dates	Sat June 25 & Sat July 9
Time	1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition	$400

Class 1105 – Beginner’s MIG Welding

Ever wondered about learning to weld? Want to impress your friends, your older brother and that cute bartender? It’s easier than you think! In three evenings you will learn how to lay a bead, and handle all sorts of sharp and dangerous tools. You will be able to complete a small project and leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending and finishing. And you will get dirty!

Instructor	Erwin Timmers
Dates	Wednesday evenings in June(29) and July (6, 13)
Time	7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition	$325

erwin.timmers.eco.art

Class 1106 – Bas- Relief In Glass / Overview of Deep Relief Dry Plaster Casting

Instructor	Michael Janis
Dates	Sat/Sun Aug 20 & 21
Time	2pm – 5pm
Tuition	$350

Class Class 1107 – Studio Access/Open Studio

Instructor	Studio Staff
Dates	Wed./Thurs./Sat (call to confirm appointment)
Time	1pm – 5pm
Tuition	4 sessions – $300

jon cofield working in the glass school

PayPal Online Registration for Spring / Summer Classes. Scroll thru list for class numbers:

Posted in class schedule, classes, cool class, dc art class, fun class, spring class list, summer class list, washington glass school

New Winter Class Schedule!

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Chip Montague |

>Its Here! The Winter 2010/2011 Class Schedule is now available! Huzzah!
Part One – below – is the WGS warm glass course listing. Part two – posted on the blog tomorrow -are the Lampworking Courses.

For more info – or to register online – click HERE to jump to the Washington Glass School course lisiting.

Class 1040 – Beginner’s Weekend – 3 Technique Glass Class
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 several professional glass artists 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 winter schedule.

Instructors: Tim Tate / Robert Kincheloe

Dates: Session 1040A: Sat/Sun Jan 22 and 23

Session 1040B: Sat/Sun March 12 and 13

Time: 1pm to 5pm each day

Tuition: $300 per student (all materials included) __________________________________________________

Class 1041 – Lighting Solutions For Your Home
This class will bring some serious color to your life, and brighten up your living space. This is the perfect way to use glass in a most practical application: ceiling lamps. You will design your own colored glass, determine your own shape, and have your choice of several different hanging or mounting options. For considerably less than the price of a designer fixture, you can put your own name on one. Tuition includes glass, mold materials, and mounting hardware. No glass experience is needed, and electrical experience will be provided.

Instructor : Erwin Timmers

Dates : Wed evenings in Jan 26 and Feb 2 & 9

Time : 7pm to 9:30pm

Tuition : $300
__________________________________________________

Class 1042 – Reverse Relief Casting
Explore a range of techniques for making reverse imagery using fiber blanket, fiber board and papers. You will learn how to cut thick glass and to make re-usable molds, as well as ways to
add color with powders, frits and sheet. Firing techniques and schedules for versatile
float glass will be covered. You will take home several cast glass pieces made by using the reverse relief technique.

Instructor : Michael Janis
Dates : Sat / Sun Feb 12 & 13
Time : 2pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300

__________________________________________________

Class 1043 – Going Green – Recycled Glass Art Workshop
Green up your life by doing something creative to help the environment! This is an exploration into using recycled glass to make sculptural pieces, architectural elements, and tableware. 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! And now we have it concentrated into a long weekend class – over the President’s Day Weekend!
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 : Sat/Sun/Mon on Feb 19, 20 & 21
Time : 10am to 4pm
Tuition : $400

__________________________________________________

Class 1044 – Beginning MIG Welding
Ever wondered about learning to weld? Want to impress your friends, your older brother and that cute bartender? It’s easier than you think! In three evenings you will learn how to lay a bead, and handle all sorts of sharp and dangerous tools. You will be able to complete a small project and leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending and finishing. And you will get dirty!

Instructor : Erwin Timmers
Dates : Wed evenings in March 16 23 & 30
Time : 7pm to 9:30pm
Tuition : $325

__________________________________________________

Class 1045 – Sculpt A Glass Bowl : Introduction To Lost Wax Casting
The goal in this class is to make a vessel form in glass using the lost wax process. Students will begin with a pre-made wax form that they carve into and alter. We will be asking students to research surface decoration ideas for their project before coming to class. Students will bring these ideas to class in the form of sketches, Xeroxes, magazines, etc.
I
Instructor : Debra Ruzinski
Dates : 3 Day Class – Sat/Sun. Mar. 26/27 and Sun. Apr. 3
Time : 10am to 2pm
Tuition : $350

__________________________________________________

Class 1046 – Turning Your Wood-Cuts and Lino-Cuts Into Cast Glass Panels
This incredible process will allow your wood cuts or lino cuts to be duplicated in a cast glass panel with out harming your original cut piece! What a miraculous way for that printing technique to be used architecturally! You can also print from the glass plate. Imagine a wall of your wood cuts all translated into glass, then gridded out within in a metal frame….and made into a 10 ft high x 20 ft long wall. Or as simple a single back-lit glass panel! ….The possibilities are myriad! This is the perfect way for a lino cut printer to enter the world of large scale public art or to incorporate a quality of translucency into their work. The process is very simple to learn ……. and it will expand your artistic dialog exponentially …. All while using your own imagery!

Instructor : Kirk Waldroff
Dates : Saturdays in April 2, 9 & 16
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300

__________________________________________________

Class 1047 – 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

Tommorow’s posting will feature the Flameworking Classes!

Posted in cool class, fun class, glass school. glass class, kilnformed, winter, winter class schedule

Elizabeth Ryland Mears

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Michael Janis |

Elizabeth Mears is an award winning artist who creates objects in glass and mixed media primarily through the glass blowing technique of Flamework. She studied at Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School, and the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass, receiving scholarships and eventually teaching at those same venues, as well as others. Her book, FLAMEWORKING, was published in 2003 by Lark Books, and she is a contributing author to PENLAND BOOK OF GLASS published in 2008 by Lark Books. In 2009 Mears was named a Master Artist for the state of Virginia, and she was one of four artists chosen to install work in the Capitol Hill office of Senator Mark Warner to represent the arts in Virginia
.
Living in northern Virginia, she is inspired by nature in all seasons and forms.

Liz utilizes the forms of nature to create works of glass, which reflect her relationship to both her inner and her outer worlds. The glass is first worked in the mesmerizing flame of a bench torch then often is combined with other materials to become the exquisitely crafted and nationally exhibited objects for which she is known. Liz’s creations are represented by galleries throughout the nation and are included in numerous private, corporate (Mellon Bank Headquarters), and museum collections (Racine Art Museum, LOWE Museum) and have also been included in numerous magazine articles focused on contemporary glass art and books including: Women Working in Glass, Formed of Fire, 500 Glass Objects, Contemporary Lampworking, and Etched Glass.

Liz will be teaching two spectacular lampworking classes here at the Washington Glass School, where her love of nature and glass come together!

Class 1036 – Lets Make Leaves! with Elizabeth Ryland Mears
Why leaves you may ask. We will pay homage to Nature’s small factory (Bio 101…CO2 + chlorophyll, + sunshine = sugar and O2) while we learn to control the bench torch, manipulate hot glass, direct the heat, use tools to create shape and texture, and work with different sizes of clear rod and tube. The focus of our endeavors will be to make “parts” which can be incorporated into larger sculpture at a later time.
Dates: October 23/24, 10am til 1 pm, $350

Class 1037 – Building Flowers With Bridges! with Elizabeth Ryland Mears
“Bridges” are to Flameworking what exoskeletons are to beetles…they hold everything together. We will use the technique of “bridging” to make a daisy-like flower. We will make the flower then add the bridging to hold all the parts in place while we thoroughly fuse the glass together in the flame of the bench torch. This technique is invaluable when larger sculpture is created, so we will practice on a smaller object. The instructor will guide you step by step through the process. The bridging is temporary so will be removed to reveal a small object ready for further creative use.
Dates: November 06/07, 10am til 1 pm, $350

Click HERE to get more information about her classes at the Washington Glass School.

Liz will be teaching for a week next spring at Penland and a week at the Pittsburgh Glass Center in June 2011, and had just completed a Professional Artist in Residence (PAiR) at Pilchuck.

Posted in classes, cool class, elizabeth ryland mears, flamework, lampworking, liz mears, sculptural flamework

Upcoming Class in the "Lost Wax" Process

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Michael Janis |

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.

No experience is necessary (wear clothing that can get messy and closed toed shoes).

Example of student lost wax work.

Click HERE to see photos from last year’s class in the lost wax process.

Posted in cool class, debra ruzinsky, glass class, lost wax casting