As highlighted in Washingtonian Magazine – 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! Class offered two times this semester –
Diverse and beautifully mesmerizing, coral provides shelter and creates an environment to help marine life thrive. Inspired by the labyrinth-like patterns of coral found in our oceans, we invite you to make a fascinating interlocking glass design! Students are provided with a variety of glass colors to choose from, as well as tools to cut and shape the pieces. As one carefully arranges the glass fragments, they can experiment with different patterns and arrangements to create a stunning coral-like design. Beginner level experience.
This weekend’s pâte de verre class was a great success!
Instructor Teri Swinhart (Bailey) demonstrates how to apply color frit powder into specific areas for the class.
Pâte de verre is a kilncasting method that literally means “paste of glass”. The general premise is to mix frit granules with some sort of binder such as gum arabic, then apply the glass to the inner surface of a negative mold.
Teri Swinhart demonstrates proper frit application.
The Pâte de verre students made plaster molds in which they would cast the glass.
Lively discussion on ways to kilncast glass sculpture was explored by the class. The students all loved the process and can’t wait til the firings are out of the kilns.
Baltimore’s KEYS Development‘s goal is transformation of urban areas through investment in its youth; youth that see themselves as leaders, entrepreneurs, and ultimately change agents who will usher in a new age of industry in its communities, that state of Maryland and beyond. The mission at K.E.Y.S development is to provide social support and guidance in becoming esteemed leaders with outstanding problem solving and conflict resolution skills. As part of that goal, this summer sees art glass classes for their students at Washington Glass School. The first of the glass classes took place this week – it started off with a lot of fun!
Instructor Michael Janis demonstrates how to use glass powder to the KEYS class.
By noon, all the students are busy making their glass masterpieces.
The KEYS Development instructors joing in the fun, making custom stencils.
Erwin Timmers instructs one of the lighting class students.
Erwin Timmer’s artistic lighting class these past few weeks brought some serious color to the studio – really brightening up the studio!
Over the three week class, students completed a number of lighting designs, ranging from pendant to wall sconces and table lamps. Great to see how each created functional art that reflected the tastes and aesthetics of each of the artists. This was certainly a class that put forth the effort in the design!
Vibha’s glass design was dazzling!
Students designed and made the glass as well as assembled the mounting hardware.
Louis Comfort Tiffany would have been jealous of the glass created for the light fixture.
Jerrelee loves her light fixture that relates to her artwork.
To register for any classes…please call or e-mail to hold a space and mail a $50 deposit check made out to Washington Glass School. Be sure to include the course number and your phone number with your deposit. This is important to do ASAP as classes tend to fill quickly! All checks, class info and registration are to be sent to: THE WASHINGTON GLASS SCHOOL 3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712 Phone: 202-744-8222 Or- scroll down thru this post to the Paypal option for deposit.
————————————————————–
Class 1600 – Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend
—————————————————————
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 3 times in the session.
Instructors Audrey Wilson Dates Session A – Sat/Sun Jan. 18/19 Session B- Sat/Sun Apr. 5/6 Time 1pm to 5pm each day Tuition $300 per student (all materials included)
Class 1601 – MIG Welding For Dummies!
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! Offered 2 times this calendar. Instructor : Erwin Timmers Dates :
Session A
Wed.Eves Jan.(8,15,22)
Session B Wed.Eves April (2,9,16)
Time : 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Tuition : $350 per student
————————————————————–
Class 1602 – Fancy Frits!
—————————————————————
Learn how to use colorful glass frits to create interesting and unique designs on two separate fused bowls. You will learn about shifting frit onto fiber paper to create lacy frit wafers. A great technique with many uses, including learning how to layer wafers to create depth and wondrous beauty! Bring your bowl fusing skills to the next level with this two day course.
Instructors: Audrey Wilson
Dates : Saturdays in March (8 and 15)
Time: 1:00pm to 4pm
Tuition : $350
————————————————————–
Class 1603 – Lighting Up Your Life
—————————————————————
Are you looking to bring some new light into your home? Tired of the same old “builder special” lights? Well, come and make your own in this class! You will truly display your glass skills in their best light. You’ll learn to cut, fuse and shape glass into the right form. Ceiling or wall fixture, you will have the chance to design your own. You will also learn how to safely wire and install your new lamp. No glass or electrical experience is necessary.
Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates : Wednesday eves, Feb. 5, 12, and 19 Time: 7pm to 9:30pm
Tuition: $300 per student (all materials included)
————————————————————–
Class 1604 – More MIG
—————————————————————
Now that you’ve tried your hand at MIG welding, the hot-glue gun of the metal shop, why not expand your horizons? We will offer a truck load of new techniques. You can compare welding stainless steel vs. aluminum, and pit the plasma cutter vs. oxyacetylene. You will also improve your MIG skills, and spend more time on grinding, polishing, finishing and patinas. Remember, this is a real, live, active, working shop! You will get dirty. Wear closed-toed shoes and long pants.
Prerequisite: one MIG welding class or equivalent.
Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates : Wednesday eves, Mar. 5, 12, and 19 Time: 7pm to 9:30pm
Tuition: $350 per student (all materials included)
————————————————————–
Class 1606 – Audrey’s Weekly Super Bowl Party!
—————————————————————
You like bowls? So do we! So every Saturday come join Audrey Wilson at a super Bowl Making party! This is ongoing all summer (unless Audrey needs a break!). Email for availability…..and let the bowl making begin! (email the instructor Audrey directly on this one – studio@washglass.com)
Instructor : Audrey Wilson
Dates : the Super Bowl Party will take place on the following dates. Take just one or all of them! Jan. 4th and 25th
Feb. 1st and 22nd
March 1st and 22nd.
Time : 1:30 to 4pm
Tuition : $75 for each session.(limit 6 students per session)
—————————————————————
Class 1607- Open Studio – Work At Your Own Pace
————————————————————–
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. Note: students working in dry plaster casting need to schedule cleanup date with studio coordinator.
Instructor : Studio Staff
Dates : Wed/Thurs/Sat afternoons (call to confirm appointment)
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300 for 4 sessions
Deposit for Class Registration, balance due at class time.
The Washington Glass School was located on Half Street, SE from 2003 to 2005. It was part of the Washington Sculpture Center until the area was all claimed as part of the Washington National’s baseball stadium. Not the poshest part of town back then.
I am interjecting a bit of personal story into the blog – in January of 2003, my wife and I moved to the USA after living 10 years in Australia, initially staying with my sister-in-law’s family out in suburban Virginia. I wanted to educate myself to become a glass artist, and had been commuting from my Alexandria, to Baltimore, MD to blow glass. Without a car, this got old fast – real fast. In September of 2003, the second “Warm Glass Conference” was held in Arlington, VA, and since I planned on attending the seminars, I visited a number of the DC area glass facilities to see what glass courses were available locally. At the time, Washington Glass School was part of the Washington Sculpture Center, an organization that provided public access educational programs in sculpture. Wandering around Washington, DC, I discovered the practical aspects of DC’s quadrant names (Northeast, Southeast, etc) – I was wandering around on the wrong Half Street – and I discovered the seamy underside of Capitol Hill. Just before the conference, I took a fused glass workshop that dealt with architectural applications of glass at the Washington Glass School, and was hooked.
This is a photo of me in my first fused glass class. L-R: Tyler Frisbee, Michael Janis (me), Kathryn Cosmos, Tim Tate.
Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers were the teachers and Jeff Zimmer was the teaching assistant (Jeff has since earned a MDES Glass & Architectural Glass, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, UK). This class dealt with aspects of fused glass and included kilnformed projects such as dry plaster casting. It was my first foray into kilnformed work – and that introduction shifted my thoughts and process to fused glass.
Erwin Timmers and Tim Tate at the Warm Glass Conference, September 2003.
Glass School Co-Founders Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers were part of the Warm Glass conference- leading a seminar on how to hang glass, and they brought the student castings to the glass school students that were attending.Shortly after, I became the studio’s shop monkey, working every day and assisting at every class. By 2005 I was teaching the very kiln-forming glass class I had begun my journey in glass… ah, the circle of life…
Here I am teaching glass fusing class, October 2005.
The days became weeks; weeks into years, and by the time the Washington Glass School relocated to Mount Rainier, I had become a Co-Director. And still time marched on. Recently clearing out old file cabinets had me look thru old documents and class schedules, I came upon the 2003 class list and nostalgia hit. 10 years on – who’da thunk that events would unfold as they had! Anyhow – am still enjoying the ride – Cheers to all!
>Get Back to School! The new class schedule for 2012 is out! Some great new classes – great for for all levels of glass experience.
Don’t be a Glass School Dropout… Unless you want to do our new Class 1313 Gravity Drops- Handkerchief Vases & Floral Forms !
Have a Read!
August – December 2012 Class Schedule
Class 1310- Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend
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 session.
Instructors Audrey Wilson Dates Session A– Sept. 29/30 Session B – Nov. 10/11 Time 1:00 to 5:00 pm each day Tuition $300 per student (all materials included)
Class 1311 – The Next Step – Fusing Glass Bowls
OK…we hear you! Our Next Step Fused Glass expands on the basic fused glass techniques and adds some fun extras that will help set your work apart. You will gain a more in-depth understanding of fused glass and the various techniques in the creation of more complex pieces. This 3 day class focuses on larger scale objects – plates, platters, etc, and will include working with pattern sheets, and embellishments with frit powders and decals!
Instructor: Michael Janis
Dates : 3 consecutive Sat afternoons Oct 6, 13, 20
Time : 2:00 to 5:00 pm each day
Tuition : $350 per student (all materials included)
Class 1312 – MIG Welding For Dummies!
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 Oct (10, 17, 24) Time : 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm Tuition : $325 per student
Class 1313 – Gravity Drops, Handkerchief Vases, and Floral Forms
Are you ready to move past fundamentals, yet still need some more guidance from a professional artist? How about taking a course where you will create a vase by using fusing and slumping skills previously learned. Practice cutting, fusing, and slumping with this two-day class. Students will create a patterned design and then fuse glass together. Day two will consist of cutting the pattern for the slump mold and then allow gravity to take hold of the glass and let it slump into a vase.
Instructor: Audrey Wilson
Dates: Tuesday eves in October 16 and 23
Time: 7:00-9:30 pm
Tuition: $325
Class 1314 – More Welding!
Now that you’ve tried your hand at MIG welding, the hot glue gun of the metal shop, why not expand your horizons? We will offer a truck load of new techniques. You can compare welding stainless steel vs. aluminum, and pit the plasma cutter vs. oxy-acetylene. You will also improve your MIG skills, and spend more time on grinding, polishing, finishing and patinas. Bring ideas for a small project and you’ll walk home with it. Remember–this is a filthy, working shop. You will get dirty. Wear closed toed shoes and long pants. Pre-requisite: At least one MIG welding class or equivalent.
Instructor Erwin Timmers
Dates Thursday evenings Nov 1, 8, 15
Time 7:00 – 9:30pm
Tuition $325 (all materials provided)
Class 1315 – Life Casting!
Learn to make molds directly from the human body! This beginners level workshop will teach you the basics of lifecasting! In this class, we will discus different mold materials available to create molds from the human body. Students will make molds of their hands and faces and create castings in plaster.
We will discuss approaches to more complicated life casting projects and possible applications.
Instructor : Sean Hennessey
Dates : Saturday, December 1st
Time :Noon – 4:00 PM
Tuition :$350 (all materials provided)
Class 1316- Open Studio – Work At Your Own Pace
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 : 1:00 to 5:00 pm Tuition : $300 for 4 sessions
The “Next Step” fused glass class is well underway, with the students going large. This week, the artists were engrossed in making pattern sheet elements for a large panel fused work. Balance of color, reactions within colors, working with frit powders, stringers and sharpened cutting skills are the mainstay of the class.
Sifting frit glass powder onto glassallows creation of very detailed glass elements.
More of everything is the class motto!.
The day’s work is loaded into the kiln.
Next week’s installment includes creating even larger panels, as well as cutting perfect circles in glass. Can’t hardly wait!.
