Category Archives: DC

DC Art Now!

Posted on by |

Work by WGS Directors Michael Janis and Tim Tate are up for consideration in 2026 DC Art Bank

Directors Michael Janis and Tim Tate Selected for FY26 DC Art Bank Exhibition “DC Art Now”

The Washington Glass School is proud to announce that Directors Michael Janis and Tim Tate have been selected by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) for the prestigious FY26 DC Art Bank Program! Their works will be featured in this year’s annual exhibition, “DC Art Now,” highlighting the creativity and diversity of artists living and working across the metropolitan region.

About the DC Art Bank Program

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities supports local visual artists and nonprofit art organizations by acquiring fine art for its Art Bank Collection, which began in 1986 and now boasts over 3,000 artworks. These pieces are loaned to District Government agencies for display throughout public areas and government offices, making art accessible to all and enriching civic life.

“DC Art Now” Exhibition Details

This year’s “DC Art Now” exhibit showcases the FY26 Art Bank finalists, featuring an array of exciting emerging and established artists in the DC metropolitan area. The exhibition includes photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, textiles, and more—reflecting the vibrant spirit of our creative community.

  • Location: 200 I (Eye) Street, SE Gallery
  • Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Admission: FREE and open to the public

Opening Reception & Celebration

Join us for a reception to honor all Art Bank finalists:

Meet local artists, see stunning works in person, and celebrate the best of DC art!

Support Local Art

Congratulations again to Michael Janis and Tim Tate for this remarkable achievement and for contributing to the District’s vibrant cultural landscape! Stop by the gallery to experience their work and support the visual arts in our city.

For more information about the Art Bank Program and the exhibition, visit the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Program page.

Posted in DC, DC Arts, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, washington DC

WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE DMV – A Historic 16-Venue, 300+ Artist Exhibition

Posted on by |

Washington Glass School is proud to share that several of our artists are featured in the groundbreaking exhibition “Women Artists of the DMV”!

This fall, curator and artist F. Lennox “Lenny” Campello launches a historic 16-venue, 300+ artist survey across DC, Maryland, and Virginia—celebrating the creativity and impact of women artists in our region.

WGS artists, including April Shelford, Trish Kent, Diane Cabe, Erin Antognoli, Patricia de Poel Wilberg, and Kate Barfield are amongst the talented voices included in this unprecedented show—equal parts cultural intervention and historical record.

📖 Read more via East City Art: https://www.eastcityart.com/features/dmvwomen2025/

Posted in DC, DC Arts, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, dc creates!, DCCAH, socially conscious art, washington DC, women with whips | Tagged

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Cecily Habimana visit to WGS

Posted on by |

What a great visit! This Monday, the Washington Glass School welcomed DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Ward 5 Commissioner Cecily Habimana!

It was an honor to show her around the studio—sharing how we connect with our community through glass art classes, support the local arts scene, and create powerful public art.

Thank you, Commissioner Habimana, for your energy, support, and passion for the arts in DC!

L-R Erwin Timmers, Michael Janis, CAH Commissioner Habimana, and Tim Tate

Posted in DC, DCCAH

Cedar Hill Medical Center GW Health Opens!

Posted on by |

Washington, DC’s new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center opens its doors to the public (today, April 15th) — and welcomes visitors with stunning public art, including vibrant glass works by Washington Glass Studio.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser reflects on the process of creating the first new hospital in DC in 25 years.

As featured in East of the River News by writer Elizabeth O’Gorek, the installations reflect the resilience and creativity of the community. One piece was created by Washington Glass Studio, and another striking glass work was made at the Washington Glass School by artist Imar Hutchins, assisted by Patricia de Poel Wilberg.

Together, these works celebrate healing, color, and the transformative power of art in public spaces.

The new glass mural, “The Legacy of the Land and the Waters” made by the Washington Glass Studio community is installed in the main entry lobby.

Click here to jump to the East of the River article. Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center Opens 12:01 a.m. April 15 – East of the River

Posted in Art In Public Places, DC, glass public art, Public Art | Tagged ,

Commemoration of the Slaves who Built the US Capitol

Posted on by |

Glass art by Michael Janis

The recent order from President Trump to rescind DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs has led to a noticeable downplaying of Black History Month across government agencies. The U.S. State Department, for instance, has prohibited public events or messages celebrating the month, which has been a staple of American culture since the 1970s.

Michael Janis’ design for DC Ward 5 Memorial

In contrast, local organizations in Washington, DC, are stepping up to honor Black history and contributions. The Lamond Riggs Library Friends, in collaboration with the DC Office of Planning, is hosting Foundations of Freedom: Recognizing the Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol. This special event will introduce WGS Director Michael Janis’ design for a new DC Memorial to Honor the Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol for Ward 5. Along with DC’s Office of Planning staff, Michael will offer an overview of a public art proposal. The program will include storytelling, a discussion of the design process, and a Q&A session to engage the community.

Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 1 pm – 3 pm @ Lamond-Riggs DC Public Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave NE, WDC.

For more information – click on link to jump to DCPL site: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/12875262

Posted in african american glass, american craft, american glass, architect of the capitol, architecture, black artists of DC, bullseye, creative economy, creative glass, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, future of glass, glass architecture., history project, kiln-formed, martin luther king jr, michael janis, mike janis, Public Art, studio art glass, studio artist, US Department of State, warm glass, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, 玻璃艺术 | Tagged ,

Happy Holidays from Washington Glass School and Studio

Posted on by |

Tis the Season!

All of us at the Washington Glass School & Studio Wish You and Family a Joyous Holiday Season! And a Happy Healthy New Year!

Artists and Educators from the Washington Glass School

(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.

Posted in " glass studio", 21st century glass, american craft, american glass, american studio glass, art alliance for contemporary glass, art glass, artists of the washington glass school, collaborative glass, contemporary craft, content driven glass, cool class, cool glass, crafts america, DC, diane cabe, educational program, erwin timmers, future of glass, glass art, glass education, international year of glass, kiln-formed glass, maryland, michael janis, mike janis, mount rainier, new class, patricia de poel wilberg, pg county, pictureshow productions, Prince George's County, Prince George's County Arts Council, recycled glass art, resident artist, studio art glass, studio glass, studio glass movement, sustainable design, Tim Tate, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass | Tagged

New CAH Exhibition: Fragile Beauty (May 9, 2022 – July 1, 2022)

Posted on by |

With social injustice a common theme around the world, we are also currently witnessing the injustices committed against our natural environment. Like our ancestors, we sense nature’s vastness, yet we lack the same respect those indigenous peoples had for nature as a sentient being. We take the Earth’s vastness for granted. What we experience as nature pushing back is nature seeking balance.

Michael Janis: Transformation; cast glass, ceramic

With this exhibit, Fragile Beauty, 33 DC artists seek to bring a sense of balance to an array of environmental injustices. Their art and their vision advocate awareness, mindfulness, consciousness, and stewardship, offering pathways towards personal partnership with our planet. They tell their stories with painting, sculpture, prints, photography, and installations. They inform us of both the joyful and the sorrowful, the woeful and the hopeful. Their work will challenge, enlighten, and inform your sense of wonder for exploring the beauty, power, and magnificent mystery of our home planet. We thank these artists for their commitment to illuminating the importance of nurturing and protecting the fragile beauty of the place we all call home.

Fragile Beauty is the first juried art exhibition initiated by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The new Juried Exhibition Grant provides support for DC artists to exhibit their creative vision to the residents of Washington, DC.

-Jarvis Grant


Featured artists: Tammy Barnes, Jeffrey Berg, Monica Jahan Bose, Elizabeth Casqueiro, Gloria Chapa, Michèle Colburn, Chris Combs, Shaughn Cooper with Kelsye Adams, Frank Hallam Day, Anna U Davis, R.A. Dean, Julee Dickerson-Thompson, Cheryl D. Edwards, David Allen Harris, Michael Iacovone, Michael Janis, Noel Kassewitz, Sally Kauffman, Barry D. Lindley, Patrick McDonough, Regina Miele, Steven Muñoz, Werllayne Nunes, Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, Lisa K. Rosenstein, Carly Rounds, Amanda Sauer, Alexandra Silverthorne, Ira Tattelman, Roderick Turner, Jessica van Brakle, Dawn Whitmore, Bahar Yürükoğlu.

Fragile Beauty
May 9 – July 1, 2022
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm ET

Opening Reception
Thu, May 12, 2022
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
Masks are required

Location:
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Gallery
200 I Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Gallery Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Posted in cast glass, ceramics/glass, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DCCAH, environmental art, twenty first century sculpture, united states, فن الزجاج الجديد, 玻璃艺术新 | Tagged , ,

DC’s MLK Jr Library Features Washington Glass Studio on Public Art

Posted on by |

View of Green Community Gateway by Washington Glass Studio

The District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) is a dynamic source of information, programs, books and services, among them is their Makers Program, that includes a Fabrication Lab. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library’s “Fab Lab”, complete with 3D printers, a laser cutter, soldering equipment, other machines is part of a new movement of public libraries embracing the “maker movement.” DCPL’s maker program is the largest of its kind in a public library, as they see the program as a force to bring together makers, artists, and creative people of all types and from all fields and backgrounds, encouraging cross-disciplinary cooperation. As part of the public engagement, the DCPL Makers & DIY Program is hosting a series of artists lectures at the newly refurbished MLK Memorial Library auditorium.

Image of Community workshop at Washington Glass School.

On Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 1:00pm – 2:00pm, Michael Janis, co-director of the Washington Glass School, will give a lecture on how the Washington Glass Studio created the “Green Community Gateway” with art made with the help of the community in Ward 7.

The “Green Community Gateway”, public art sculpture marks the symbolic entrance to the Kenilworth/Parkside section of DC’s Ward 7. Through a series of glass “quilting bees”, Washington Glass Studio brought together neighborhood residents, students of the high school, and the staff of the newly constructed Unity Healthcare facility to make glass art that would become an integral part of the arch.

This lecture program will take place in the auditorium at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001. Register at bit.ly/labsclasses. 

The renovated Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC, originally designed by Mies van der Rohe, the landmark library was rejuvenated by Mecanoo and OTJ Architects.

Posted in 21st century glass, 21st century sculpture, community entrepreneurial model, contemporary art glass, contemporary craft, contemporary sculpture, cool glass, DC, erwin timmers, fab lab, kiln fused glass, kiln-formed glass, lecture, library, maker lab, martin luther king jr, michael janis, mike janis, mkl jr, Public Art, sculpture, twenty first century sculpture, washington glass school, Washington School of Glass, wgs, wgs projects, стекло искусство новое, 玻璃艺术, 美国玻璃艺术家 | Tagged

DC Commission Announces New grant/exhibition Opportunity

Posted on by |

Environmental Justice Juried Exhibition Grant now open!

DC’s Commision on the Arts + Humanities invites District-based artists to apply for their new Juried Exhibition Grant! (Note: Must be a resident of Washington, DC)

Application deadline: Friday, January 21, 4:00 pm

Exhibition dates: May 9 – July 1, 2022

Exhibition theme: Environmental Justice. In their work, artists may address local and/or global questions of ecology, environmentalism, biodiversity, climate change, stewardship, the relationship of climate justice to social justice, and/or other related concepts and issues.

Click HERE to jump to CAH website for more info.

Posted in CAH, call for artists, call for entries, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

Stop The (Digital) Presses! Washington Glass School Blog Named 2nd Best Arts Blog in DC! We’re Number 2!

Posted on by |

No Fake News! All Glass- All the Time!

No Fake News! All Glass- All the Time!

Washington City Paper’s “Best of D.C.” Awards the Washington Glass School Blog as the Second Best Arts Blog in the DC area!

The new Washington DC City Paper publisher – Katy McKegney – said that their “Best Of D.C.” would mean just that—”a celebration of this city and all it has to offer, and of the work [the] residents, businesses, and institutions do to make D.C. the best it can be”.  

And with that – in the Best of Arts & Entertainment category – Washington Glass School Blog was voted as Second Best Arts Blog! Woo-Hoo!

Since 2008 we have been pumping out stories on the DC and national art scene since Sean Hennessey started the blog. A big thank you to all the writers who have worked on the blog over the years!

Our collective hearts are full. 

Posted in blog, DC, District of Columbia, DMV