Category Archives: glass art

Hill Center Regional Juried Show 2026 Features WGS Artists

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We’re proud to share that Washington Glass School resident artists John Henderson and Patricia de Poel Wilberg have been selected for the Hill Center Galleries 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition, on view from January 21 through May 2, 2026.

This highly competitive juried exhibition highlights outstanding artists from across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and we’re thrilled to see two WGS artists recognized among this regional group. The exhibition was juried by Claude L. Elliott, independent curator, oral historian, and long-time advocate for artists in the DMV—making the selection especially meaningful.

Patricia de Poel Wilberg; ” For Yayoi Kusama”, fused glass

Patricia de Poel Wilberg will be showing a bold fused-glass portrait inspired by Yayoi Kusama, rendered in vivid color with layered dot elements that echo Kusama’s iconic visual language while firmly grounded in Patricia’s own glass practice.

John Henderson working in the studio.

John Henderson’s selected work continues his exploration of material, process, and form, representing the depth of approaches developed within our resident artist community.

The Opening Reception will take place at Hill Center on Wednesday, January 21, from 6:30–8:30pm, offering the public a chance to meet the artists and juror and experience the exhibition firsthand.All works in the exhibition will be available for purchase and can be viewed both in the Hill Center Galleries and online at HillCenterDC.org. Congratulations to John and Patricia—we’re delighted to see your work reaching a wider audience.

Hill Center Galleries 2026 Regional Juried Show – January 21 through May 2, 2026

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003

Posted in artists of the washington glass school, glass art, john henderson, patricia de poel wilberg, Uncategorized, washington DC, washington glass school

Happy Holidays from WGS!

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As the year draws to a close, we want to pause and say thank you to our extraordinary community — our artists, students, instructors, collectors, collaborators, and friends. Your curiosity, generosity, and creative energy continue to make Washington Glass School a place of discovery, connection, and shared brightness.

This year was filled with melty moments, quiet breakthroughs, bold experiments, and the simple joy of working side by side in the studio. We’re deeply grateful for all of it.

Looking ahead, 2026 marks a major milestone: 25 years of Washington Glass School. What began as a small but determined idea has grown into a vibrant center for glass, craft, and community — and we’re just getting started. Next year will bring special exhibitions, events, and projects that honor our past while looking forward to what’s still possible.

Until then, we wish you a season filled with warmth, inspiration and lots of glass — and a new year full of creative promise.

Happy Holidays,
Washington Glass School

Posted in american glass, art glass, cool glass, creative glass center, fused glass, future of glass, glass art, heart of glass, holiday, holiday greetings, kiln fused glass, kiln-formed glass, studio art glass, studio glass, top glass artist, warm glass, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass

GLA53 – The 53rd Annual International Glass Invitational Award Exhibition Opens May 3rd at Habatat Galleries Complex, Royal Oak, MI.

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Michael Janis glass art featured in Glass 53
WGS artist Michael Janis’ new works are featured int Glass 53. Image by Pete Duvall.

Glass53 is the largest and oldest annual glass art experience in the world. Now in its 53rd year, Habatat Galleries in Royal Oak, Michigan, presents an extraordinary gathering of the work of over 100 artists from over 30 countries. Each artist is a visionary whose mastery of glass transcends mere materiality to
embody light, texture, and form in ways that captivate the soul. Habatat seeks to honor not only the works themselves but also the journeys of those who create them. This year’s exhibition is not just a showcase; it’s a living narrative of glass as an ever-evolving art form. From the grand halls of the world’s most prestigious museums to the cultural zeitgeist, glass has emerged from the shadows of traditional craftsmanship into the forefront of contemporary discourse. The featured artists are pioneers and storytellers, each bringing a unique perspective to the medium through bold abstraction, intricate realism, or conceptual deconstruction.

Glass53 Booklet (learn all about Glass53): Click HERE

Glass 53 Invited Artists: Shelley M. Allen, Anthony Amoako-attah, Herb Babcock, Michael Behrens, Alex Bernstein, Martin Blank, Jen Blazina, Christina Bothwell, Geoffrey Bowton, Jannah Bowlus, Latchezar Boyadjiev, Peter Bremers, Karen Browning, Nancy Callan, Eunsuh Choi, Deanna Clayton, Amber Cowan, Simone Crestani, Christopher Day, Cheryl Derricotte, Minhi England, Hannah Gibson, Susan Taylor Glasgow, Wilfried Grootens, Baldwin & Guggisberg, Kim Harty, David Huchthausen, Krista Israel, Tim Jaeger, Michael Janis, Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen, Richard Jolley, Brent Kee Young, Claire Kelly, Kelly O’Dell, Steve Klein, Vladimira Klumpar, Eriko Kobayashi, Laura Kramer, Jiyong Lee, Steve Linn, Littleton & Vogel, László Lukácsi, Boldizsár Lukácsi, Lucy Lyon, Dylan Martinez, Robert Mickelsen, John Miller, Lukas Mjartan, James Mongrain, Karin Mørch, Josepha Gasch-Muche, Kathleen Mulcahy, Barbara Nanning, David Patchen, Maytas Pavlik, Sibylle Peretti, Pohlman & Knowles, Stephen Rolfe Powell, Colin Reid, Kait Rhoads, Bruno Romunelli, Marlene Rose, Martin Rosol, Richard Royal, Toland Sand, Thomas Scoon, John Sharvin, Judith Schaechter, Jeremy Sinkus, Paul Stankard, Ethan Stern, April Surgent, Lino Tagliapietra, Takizawa Kazuki, Michael Taylor, Bensen & Theofanous, Stephanie Trenchard, Carmen Vetter, Elliot Walker, & Trina Urrata Weintraub.

53nd Annual International Glass Invitational Award Exhibition GLASS53

May 3, 2025 – Sep 19, 2025

Habatat Galleries
4400 Fernlee Ave
Royal Oak, MI 48073

Email: info@habatat.com
Phone: 248-554-0590

Posted in american glass, american studio glass, art glass, art glass today, artists of the washington glass school, contemporary art glass, cool glass, creative glass, fused glass, fused glass imagery, glass art, glass gallery, habatat galleries, imagery in glass, narrative glass, royal oak, studio glass movement, top glass artist, Washington School of Glass | Tagged , , , ,

2025 GATEWAY OPEN STUDIOS TOUR Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 12 – 5 pm

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The Gateway Arts District is the largest in the region, but it is easy to underestimate as many of its artists work in spaces tucked away or without public hours. An exciting element of this event is that visitors can see spaces not always open, view artists’ work and workspaces, and talk to the artists about their practice on this special day of open houses.

The district roughly encompasses a two mile stretch from Mt. Rainier to Hyattsville with most locations on or around Route 1/Rhode Island Avenue. Best to start at the Washington Glass School at 3700 Otis Street.  While some intrepid art goers choose to walk, Free shuttles will be operated along the corridor to help people cover more ground. Street parking is available as well at Lots 1, 3, and 4 in Hyattsville. Shuttle routes and a parking map will be available on the OST website.

In addition to visual art, many neighboring businesses will be poised to welcome visitors for food, drink, and further discovery of the many small and creative places within the Gateway Arts District.

After the open studio tour, all are welcome to the outdoor afterparty from 5 pm – 7 pm hosted by Broken Square and featuring music, skateboarding, and a food truck at 3698 Wells Ave, Mount Rainier, MD. If something quieter is your preference, head to Portico Gallery at 3807 Rhode Island Ave, Brentwood, MD 20722 for an end of the day porch hang.

Thank you to our sponsors Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, MiXT Food Hall, and Gateway CDC.

The event is FREE and open to the public. Visit https://www.gatewaycdc.org/ost2025 for a map of participating artists and studios to plan your self-guided tour.

Posted in artists, artists by the tracks, artists of the washington glass school, contemporary art glass, contemporary artwork, craft design art, figurative art, fine art, gateway arts district, glass art, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, wgs contemporary

Winter Open Studio Is Coming!

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Winter Open Studios Set for Dec 14th! Mark Your Calendars!

Join us in the DC region’s largest one-day visual arts event! On Saturday, Dec. 14th, from Noon til 5PM, Washington Glass School and its Resident Artists, Teachers and Students will participate in the Winter Open Studios! See what we’ve been up to!
Come visit hundreds of working artist studios in the Gateway Arts District, along Route 1 from the DC line/ Mount Rainier up to Hyattsville, MD.

December Holiday Open Studio Gateway Arts District DC Maryland
Washington Glass School 3700 Otis Street, MD Rainier, MD

Posted in " glass studio", art glass, artists of the washington glass school, contemporary art glass, cool glass, creative glass, fused glass, glass art, holiday open house, kiln fused glass, kiln-formed glass, kilncast float glass, open house, open studio, studio art glass, studio glass movement, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass

Washington Post on the DC Glass Scene Seen at Artomatic

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Washington Post article on 2024 Artomatic exhibit

Great review of Artomatic culture event in the Washington Post. Art critic Mark Jenkins enjoys the all-sorts arts experience and singles out the glass art for comment, including using WGS artist Michael Janis’ artwork titled “Waiting for the Moments that Never Come” as the illustrative work for the show. Writes Mark:

“…Among the various business and governmental sponsors of this year’s Artomatic is a small but internationally renowned arts group, the Washington Glass School. The Mount Rainier, Md., studio has taken a large chunk of the building’s fifth floor to showcase the elegant creations of co-founders Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers and several other glass virtuosos. Tate, who credits Artomatic with playing a significant role in his career, is showing a sculpture that riffs on Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man.” The provocatively androgynous update positions eight glass figures — male, female and combined — in a circle surrounded by mirrors and lights that simulate a sense of endless replication…”

In the galleries: Artomatic: Unpretentious, approachable, convivial – Review by Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, April 5, 2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2024/04/05/art-gallery-shows-dc-area/

By contrast – have a read about how the Washington Post art critic Blake Gopnik thought of the 2004 Artomatic exhibit:

…”The result is the second-worst display of art I’ve ever seen. The only one to beat it out, by the thinnest of split hairs, was the 2002 Artomatic, which was worse only by virtue of being even bigger and in an even more atrocious space, down by the waterfront in a vacant modern office building. I won’t dwell on the art. And I certainly won’t name names…There may just be a few decent things hidden in the mix — with so many thousands of objects on display, the law of averages says there must be. But three hours’ worth of looking didn’t spot too many. Some of the glasswork looked all right. (Glass is such a gorgeous medium it’s hard to screw it up, and you need some basic training even to begin to work in it.)

Artomatic 2004: Hanging Is Too Good for It by Blake Gopnik

November 10, 2004

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/11/11/artomatic-2004-hanging-is-too-good-for-it/353b4ecd-8d74-475b-9386-63d5acd048db/

Artomatic runs thru April 28th. 2100 M Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Posted in 21st century glass, american glass, art glass, artists of the washington glass school, bullseye glass, cool glass, fused glass, gay glass, glass art, mark jenkins, twenty first century glass, washington glass school, washington post, Washington School of Glass | Tagged , , ,

Artomatic Event: The Washington Glass Scene, March 16th, 5-7PM

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Step into a world where glass transcends its ordinary form and becomes a canvas of boundless creativity. The Washington Glass Scene on display in Artomatic’s Level 5 invites you to celebrate the kaleidoscopic fusion of artistry and craftsmanship on April 16th, 2024 from 5-7PM. Prepare to be captivated as the magic of glass takes center stage in a creative showcase unlike any other. Join us as we celebrate the transformative power of this versatile medium, where every piece tells a unique story and invites you to explore the depths of imagination. Meet the artists that are making the Washington Glass Scene a distinctive voice and push the boundaries, redefining the possibilities of glass. Event is Free and open to the Public!

Artomatic 25th Anniversary Event: Celebrate DC’s Glass Scene!

2100 M Street, Washington, DC 20037

Posted in " glass studio", 21st century glass, american glass, american studio glass, art glass, art glass today, artists of the washington glass school, artomatic, conceptual glass, contemporary art glass, content driven glass, cool glass, creative glass, fused glass, fused glass sculpture, glass, glass art

GLASS COAST WEEKEND 2024

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This week, glass universe goes south – to Florida! The Glass Art Fair takes place in Sarasota, FL from Feb 1st – 4th Ringling College of Art + Design Studio A. Habatat Galleries‘ 4-day glass art experience “Glass Coast Weekend” features six special exhibits of contemporary glass.

The event includes a pop-up exhibit of over 150 pieces at the Ringling College of Art + Design’s Studio Labs Sound Stage A. Explore four themed curated exhibitions, two solo exhibits, and visit the newly opened Sarasota Art Museum and the Basch Gallery on the Ringling College campus. Additional highlights include a Masterworks Auction, a demonstration by artist John Kiley, artist talks, a Ringling Museum mystery, Habatat-Zoom Live, the Imagine Museum’s Annual Fire and Light Gala. 

Hope to see you at the first HUGE glass event of the year!

Posted in american glass, american studio glass, art glass, glass and steel, glass art, glass coast weekend, glass show, imagine museum, mike janis, museum, sarasota, studio glass, studio glass movement, twenty first century glass, twenty first century sculpture, стекло искусство новое, فن الزجاج الجديد, 玻璃艺术新, 美国玻璃艺术家 | Tagged , ,

Happy Holidays from Washington Glass School and Studio

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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

Janis & Tate @ Toronto’s Sandra Ainsley Gallery

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Michael Janis & Tim Tate at Toronto’s Sandra Ainsley Gallery June 4 – July 30, 2022

Toronto, Canada’s famed Sandra Ainsley Gallery present the narrative glass artworks by WGS Co-Directors Tim Tate and Michael Janis. The show, titled “One Story is Not Enough” featured works by each artist as a solo, and a number of their collaborative wall murals.

Michael Janis’ imagery in frit powder is reflected in the gallery’s piano surface.

When Michael Janis and Tim Tate met, almost 20 years ago, they discovered a shared fascination of narrative sculpture- one that seeks to arrive at an image that is both unflinchingly candid in physical representation and psychologically evasive. Working together, they are interested in the simultaneous read of an immediately recognizable image that asks the viewer to linger over history and meanings that unfurl more slowly. Mark, line and material become an extension of touch in the act of representation. The relationship of hand to subject, negotiated through the material, can elicit a response of both visual and tactile.

“The Poetry of Everyday Objects” by Michael Janis & Tim Tate, 2021; Size:6H x 6W’; Cast Glass

With these confines they create work in many techniques, but if you stand slightly back and see their history a huge thread of interconnected stories weave through their work from day one. The beauty comes into focus and the viewer sees the edges of a world not dissimilar to this one, but so much more thoughtful.

Detail – “The Poetry of Everyday Objects”, Michael Janis & Tim Tate

They present this glimpse into that alternative world, seemingly unstuck in time somewhere between past and future.

Tim Tate, Lenticular series, 2022, each panel 41″H x 41″W, lenticular prints

Sandra Ainsley Gallery
The Warehouse
100 Sunrise Avenue, Unit 150
Toronto, Ontario Canada M4A 1B3

Posted in 21st century glass, 21st century sculpture, figurative art, fine art, fullbright scholar, fused glass imagery, glass art, glass frit powder imagery, glass sculpture, glass show, imagery in glass, kiln-formed glass, kilncast, michael janis, mike janis, narrative glass, painterly glass, sandra ainsley gallery, sgraffitto, sgrafitto, Tim Tate, top glass artist, twenty first century glass, twenty first century sculpture, united states, فن الزجاج الجديد, 美国玻璃艺术家 | Tagged ,