 |
| The International Glass & Clay 2013 Catalog – what the well dressed glass library is sporting! |
Kicking yourself for missing the International Glass & Clay show that just closed in Washington, DC? Don’t let us stop you!
You can look at the catalog (or catalogue) online – click HERE to jump to Google docs.
 |
| Opening reception for International Glass and Clay 2013 Exhibit in Washington, DC |
This weekend, the opening reception for the International Glass & Clay 2013 was a great sucess!
The collaborative show, organized by Artomatic, the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia and DC’s Sister City of Sunderland, England and the University of Sunderland had a great turnout for the first night of the month long event. A number of the UK artists exhibiting in the show were on hand at the opening, and they were able to make connections with collectors and the DC creative community.
Below are some photos of the opening night and of the exhibition:
 |
| Colin Rennie (foreground) Michael Janis (L) Roger Tye |
 |
| Colin Rennie talks about his process and influences. |
 |
| Washington DC collectors contemplate Megan Randall’s ceramic works. |
 |
| Stephen Beardsell’s glass sculptures are always a favorite. |
 |
| UK glass artist Robyn Townsend answers questions about her glass artworks on exhibit. |
 |
| Beautiful ceramic sculptures by Novie Trump. |
 |
| Glass artwork by UK glass artist Jeffrey Sarmiento and beyond, works by US artists Nancy Donnelly and Audrey Wilson. |
 |
||
| UK glass artist Phil Vickery chats with DC collectors. |
 |
| Artwork by UK glass artist Criss Chaney and ceramic work by US artist Tamara Laird. |
 |
| Ceramic sculpture by the UK’s Philippa Whiteside. |
 |
| UK glass artist Roger Tye expresses surprise at what artist Criss Cheney has to say. |
 |
|||||
| Sunderland City International Manager Catherine Auld is happy as Sunderland’s Anne Tye negotiates a sale with a Washington, DC art collector. |
The international exhibit will be open to the public thru March 23, 2013. Location is Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20068.
Gallery hours Saturday & Tuesday 12pm-4pm. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 12pm-8pm.
Click HERE to jump to the exhibit website for more info on special events and artist info.
>
 |
| Tim Tate “Positive Progression” 2003 glass, clay, collection of F. Lennox Campello |
For Valentine’s Day, we look at one of Tim Tate’s mixed media works – “Positive Progression”. The work was part of his 2003 Seized Moments…Captured Memories exhibit at Fraser Gallery.With the upcoming international glass + clay exhibit at Edison Place Gallery opening March 1 – this day’s post is a perfect time to reflect on how some of the artists involved took the combination of the medias to heart…
>
Novie Trump is a world renown ceramic artist, working from Flux Studios, located right next door to the Washington Glass School. Her poetic sculptural work often involves depictions of nature – presented in unexpected and captivating ways.
 |
| Novie Trump Escape Installation of porcelain butterflies and ceramic book Ceramic, Acrylic Rods, Steel 60” x 60” x 24”(variable) |
Novie is working on a commissioned artwork piece that came to her via Project 4 Gallery: to create large scale installation that will be located in the new Farmers & Fishers restaurant now being built at the Georgetown waterfront.
Her artwork design calls for many porcelain bees to be clustered around illuminated hives are various locations. The design of the beehive has brought her to the glass studio – and it is a chance for the glass artists to bring Novie over to the dark – or rather – the glassy side.
 |
| Erwin Timmers offers some adventurous suggestions to Novie, but from the expressions on both her and Tim Tate’s face, they seem unlikely to be incorporated. |
 |
| A sample of Novie Trump’s porcelain bees |
Novie chose to work with illuminated glass – creating a pattern of cellular hive divisions with frit powder fused to glass, and slumped over a tapered form. The WGS fritmaster – Michael Janis – offered Novie some pointers on how to manipulate the powder.
 |
| Novie Trump and Michael Janis share a laugh as they work |
 |
| Novie sifts glass powder onto a sheet of glass |
 |
| Manipulating frit powder is a delicate operation |
 |
| Novie Trump and Michael Janis evaluate the glass’ progress prior to loading the layer in a kiln for firing |
 After fusing, the samples are compared by Novie Trump for her preferred selection of color and texture combination |
 |
| Novie made many studies of the color and textures and tested the samples with light source alternates. |
>
 |
| Prof Petrie outlines the benefits of advanced degrees in the arts offered by the University of Sunderland. |
Kevin Petrie, Leader of the UK University of Sunderland’s Glass & Ceramics program is in the US this week for the Toledo GAS Conference, popped into the Glass School for a quick visit. Kevin met with Washington Glass School instructors and artists, talking about the UK’s “Distance Education program”. Kevin’s mission from the University is to get more PhD glass artists out there, and he will be talking at the Conference’s Tech Booth #17.
 |
| Erwin Timmers talks of sustainable design in glass to Prof Petrie. |
 |
| Erwin talks of his process to create his colorful forms. |
>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
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. |
|
Class 1302- Steel and Glass Sculptural Development 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
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 |
|
Class 1304- Elements Of 21st Century Reliquaries
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)
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 |
|
Class 1306- 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 |
>
Our Fulbright schedule began to fill the days.The first workshop we held at the University of Sunderland’s National Glass Center: “Affecting Sheet Glass – Bas-Relief Imagery in Glass” was filled. The technique of “dry plaster casing” was outlined, and firing schedules were converted from Fahrenheit to Celsius – along with converting all dimensions from imperial to metric. (Why did the US decide to not join the world in the 70’s when we were supposed to go all metricationed?)
We were able to meet a number of incredibly talented artists that were associated with the University and their work was so strong that we will post some of the work and profiles about the artists in each of the next few blog updates:
Dr Kevin Petrie leads the Glass and Ceramics department at the University of Sunderland. Kevin studied Illustration at the University of Westminster and Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art. He holds a PhD in ceramics and print from University of the West of England, Bristol. Kevin’s first book ‘Glass and Print’ established the crossovers between Glassmaking and Printmaking. The book forms the cornerstone of a period of research that established the cross over between two largely separate strands of creative activity. His second book, ‘Ceramic Transfer Printing’ draws together the great potential of print for ceramics. Kevin has written many articles and reviews for journals such as Ceramic Review and presented his work on glass, ceramics and print in Canada, Thailand, Hong Kong, Denmark, Germany, USA, Australia, and China. He was recently awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for his contribution to glass and ceramics teaching, in particular this relates to postgraduate at MA, MPhil and Ph.D levels.
Dr Petrie’s work often refers to the long tradition of graphic ceramic surface decoration at the same time as reflecting contemporary life.
St Pauls Church, kilnformed glass
Cell of Himself, Kiln form glass with printed inclusions, blown glass
Besides his own work as an artist, Dr Petrie is an author, lecturer, exhibition curator, and he is an authority and specialist on contemporary glass and ceramics matters. He has lectured at the following institutions: The University of the West of England, Bristol, The University of Westminster, London, Norwich School of Art and Design, Bath Central St. Martins School of Art and Design, London, Rajabhat Institute Changmai, Thailand, Australia National University, Canberra, Australia, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, Sydney College of the Arts, Australia, Anla Glas, Denmark, Hong Kong Baptist University – Academy of Visual Arts.
__________________________________________________________
If you are familiar with the first of the DC / Sunderland glass exhibition “Glass3” that was held in Georgetown in 2008, you might have seen James Maskrey‘s work. His work has really transformed into haunting and ethereal work. Social situations, overheard conversations, observed interactions and personal experiences hugely inspire Jim’s work. Tall stories, elaborate hoaxes and peculiar facts, usually from a bygone era, are then translated into glass, often resulting in flamboyant narratives, theatrical compositions or simple objects with a twist. The series below are from a series based on the polar expeditions by Edward Wilson to collect penguin eggs.
The Worst Journey in the World, blown and hot sculptured glass details, 2011. Photo by David Williams
Last Entry,Winter Journey, andThe Barrier, 2011, Blown and solid formed hot glass with printed glass inclusions.
The works poetically and poignantly touches on themes of collecting and hubris. In the austral winter of 1911, Wilson led “The Winter Journey”, a doomed journey to the Emperor penguin’s breeding grounds at Cape Crozier to collect eggs for scientific study. The eggs were supposed to reveal the evolutionary links between dinosaurs and birds but their collection nearly killed the journey’s participants. Frozen and exhausted, they successfully collected three eggs and desperately exhausted they returned to Cape Evans, later describing this expedition “The Worst Journey in the World.”
James started working with glass in 1990. After graduating in 2000 with a Three Dimensional Design BA (Hons) degree in glass at The Surrey Institute of Art and Design he was appointed as Artist in Residence at the Surrey Institute. In 2001 James joined the Glass and Ceramics department at The University of Sunderland and graduated with an MA in Glass with distinction in 2004. Jim was recently named as one of the artists that will exhibit at the British Glass Biennale 2012.
Coming Next – London Affordable Art Fair & Imagery in Glass Class and featured Sunderland Artists: Jeff Sarmiento, Cate Watkinson and more!
>
Love is in the air
I ♥ Glass
In time for Valentines, the Feb/March 2012 issue of American Craft magazine (published by the American Craft Council) features Washington Glass School Director Michael Janis answering the romantic question: “Who’s Your Platonic Craft Crush”. The new issue also has some great articles about Harvey Littleton and the Studio Glass Movement, and an article about ceramic sculptor Cristina Córdova.
For some reason tho, Michael is made to be yellow. Very yellow. I am (overly) Curious Yellow.
Michael Janis looking either very jaundiced or he’s Bart Simpson’s twin, Hugo.
And just who is Michael Craft Crushing on? Its no secret that it is glass & ceramic artist Christina Bothwell.
