Washington Glass School ca 2004, located in the Washington Sculpture Center in SE DC.
In the aftermath of the 2000 Artomatic show, renowned glass artist Tim Tate and metal/eco-artist Erwin Timmers felt the need to create a space for the growing glass art community in Washington, DC. Their solution was the founding of what was first called “Meltdown”—the future Washington Glass School. The school’s very first class, held on September 13, 2001, came in the shadow of one of the most tragic days in American history. While the founders initially considered canceling the session, the overwhelming desire of the students to move forward created an indelible bond. The class became a healing space, where sadness and fear were channeled into creativity and connection.
Meltdown Studio class schedule 2001Early light fixture class (ca 2002) shows off their finished works.
From those early days, the Washington Glass School (WGS) has embraced community and resilience as core values. In 2003, the school relocated from its original home—now the Rubell Museum in DC’s Southwest neighborhood—to the Washington Sculpture Center. Michael Janis, an innovative artist who joined the school that year, became a director by 2005. His leadership, alongside Tate and Timmers, continued to steer the school as it grew in reputation.
Future WGS Director Michael Janis (center) in his first class at Washington Glass School, 2003.Michael Janis works with students from DC’s Stuart Hobson Middle School (ca 2004).
In 2006, a turning point came when the school’s building was taken by eminent domain to make way for the Washington Nationals’ baseball stadium. Unfazed, the WGS team moved just outside the District to Mount Rainier, Maryland. It’s been their home ever since, where they continue to teach, collaborate, and create public art.
WGS Directors (L-R Michael Janis, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers)
WGS has evolved into a dynamic hub for artistic exploration, encouraging artists to challenge the conventional limits of glass as an art medium. Their collaborative spirit thrives, with glass artists working alongside creatives from other disciplines, producing public art that speaks to the heart of the community.
In 2024, DC artist Kelly Towles painted a mural “I ❤ Glass” on the facade of the glass school.
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, fused recycled glass, LED lighting, steelArtist / 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 thruJanuary 6, 2024.
Brentwood Arts Exchange, An Arts Center of M-NCPPC, located at 3901 Rhode Island Avenue Brentwood, MD.
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!
Artisan 4100is an apartment community opening along Route 1 in Brentwood, MD early in 2020. Landex Development – a family-owned real estate development company – commissioned Erwin Timmers to create a glass and light installation for the new lobby.
Erwin Timmers – know for his environmental art – has been using cast recycled glass to create the luminous panels.
Erwin Timmers onsite testing the LED light output of his glass sculpture.
Artist Erwin Timmers mounts the cast glass panels into steel framework with LED backlighting. More about his amazing artwork after installation in the coming weeks!
The Brentwood Arts Exchange serves as an anchor for the arts-based community development of the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District. Located in the Gateway Arts Center, the Brentwood Arts Exchange will showcase Glass works by Debbi LoCicero, one of the Resident Artists at the Washington Glass School. Opening reception for her show at Brentwood Arts Exchange is Saturday, September 7th at, 9/7- 5-8 pm.
Debbi will be exhibiting glass objects from her “Lace Series”, representing memories of special places and times in the artist’s life.
The piece, titled “We Are All Just Passing Through”, is from her Lace Series.Image is of figures that are within the sculptural cube.
Debbi said about what she feels the artwork expresses: “Memories from our past… feelings about today….. excitement about what the future holds….”
Fall Exhibition
Opening Reception Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 5 PM – 8 PM
This year’s Open Studio Tour (OST) was tons of fun! Big thank-you for all those that came out to see what was happening at the Glass School! Some pix from the day:
Open Studio Tour of the Gateway Arts District featured the Washington Glass School. Great time to meet and talk about artwork and glass.
DC contemporary arts maven Molly Ruppert chats with WGS Co-Director Michael Janis during OST 2019.
New Studio Coordinator & recent Ohio State MFA Graduate Teri Bailey (L) talks about her pâte de verre sculptures.
Visitors marveled at Max DeMulder’s new sculpture on display.
Prince George’s County Council Deni Taveras visits the glass studio and gathers artists for a photo opp.
Mother’s Day is THIS SUNDAY!! Know what mom really wants? Well, its not a card with an I.O.U., nor a framed photo of you without your siblings or even a “MOM” tattoo… (hint- Its Glass!)
Nothing says love like glass art. …Unless its glass art made from recycled glass – ’cause then Mother Nature is loved too! And love gets love!
Washington Glass School Open Studio will be part of the DC region’s largest one-day visual arts festival Open Studio Tour (OST19) ~ 45 Venues. 100 Studios. Over 200 Artists! ~
The Gateway Arts Community presents the 15th iteration of the Open Studio Tour on Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 11am to 5pm. The self-guided tour takes place in the Gateway Arts District along Route 1 in Prince George’s County, MD in the City of Mount Rainier, Town of Brentwood, Town of North Brentwood and City of Hyattsville.
The Gateway Arts District is the DC metro area’s largest arts district and houses internationally renowned galleries, studios, workshops and art spaces. Visitors have the opportunity to directly interact with artists in their studios and to connect with their artistic process.
Washington Glass School 3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712 Saturday, May 11th – 11am-5pm
The after party, hosted by Landex Development LLC will be from 5-8pm at Savor at Studio 3807, located at 3807 Rhode Island Avenue in Brentwood, Maryland. All are welcome, free and open to the public.
Works by artists WGS Contemporary will amaze and delight!
On Saturday, May 12, WGS Contemporary, along with the studios, art organizations, and galleries throughout the Gateway Arts District will open their doors to the public. The event is free and open to all.
Over 100 individual artists will participate in the event, making the 2018 Spring Open Studios the region’s most prominent visual arts event. Audiences can attend art openings, artist demonstrations or purchase original artwork in an artist’s studio. This artist-led event presents a fantastic opportunity to connect with the region’s most important and economically vital centers of art production.
A free shuttle bus will make stops from Artists by the Tracks in Mount Rainier to Pyramid Atlantic in Hyattsville. Between studios and gallery stops, the Gateway Arts Districts offers several new food and drink options along Route 1 including the recently opened Pizzeria Paradiso in Hyattsville, known for its outstanding pizza and wide selection of craft beers. Pizzeria Paradiso will host a beer festival on May 12 from 12-5 p.m.
More information, including a self-guided map of the open studios visit the events’ Facebook page at www.facebook.com/2018springopenstudios in advance of the tour.
WGS Contemporary artists scheduled to exhibit: – Tim Tate – Michael Janis – Erwin Timmers – Laura Beth Konopinski – John Henderson – Patricia Kent – Patricia De Poel Wilberg -Laurie Brown -Debbi LoCicero -Max DeMulder -Nancy Kronstadt -April Shelford
