james renwick alliance | Washington Glass Studio

James Renwick Alliance Spring Craft Weekend 2017!

Posted on March 15, 2017 by admin |

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The James Renwick Alliance’s (JRA) annual celebration of American craft, Spring Craft Weekend includes a symposium featuring five masters of craft art, the JRA annual gala, and a tour of the homes of prominent collectors. The events take place the weekend of April 1st – and so much is going on!

The 2017 Masters of the Media Lecture

9:15AM-NOON, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
FREE EVENT | Sponsored by the JRA
Visarts, Rockville, Maryland

The JRA’s featured five 2017 Masters of the Media represent the best of craft artists today. All have won awards and acclaim. All have exhibited in international galleries and museums, and in public and private collections. Many have taught; some are still teaching. And each and every one of them is truly inspirational.

The Masters will present their stories, their philosophies and their work in an engaging format which will include a Q&A session.

The doors will open at 9:15am for refreshments, coffee and the opportunity to visit a few of VisArts artists’ studios before the Masters’ program begins at 10:00am. Click HERE to register for the JRA Masters lecture.

Open to the Public | FREE | Advance Registration Required for All Attendees

Seating is limited; early registration advised.
VisArts | 155 Gibbs Street | Rockville, Maryland
Parking available in nearby public garages.
Nearest Metro: Rockville (Red Line)

35th Anniversary Gala & Masters Auction

The Washington National Cathedral is the venue for the JRA Spring Craft Weekend Gala. Besides the dinner, the JRA will be having an auction featuring works by this year’s Master of the Medium Awards.

6:00PM, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
National Cathedral, Washington DC

A special anniversary demands a special anniversary Gala. And what could possibly top spending Saturday evening at the Washington National Cathedral? Celebrate in grand style, surrounded by the amazing beauty and history of this important landmark. Chat, dine and even explore a bit with the help of the Cathedral’s attentive docents.

Register for exciting Craft Adventures both near and far during the cocktail reception. Bid high to make it count in the JRA Live Auction featuring selected works from each of the featured five Masters of the Media who will receive their awards during the program.

This year’s Gala promises to be memorable from the very moment those impressive doors open. Click HERE to register for the GALA.

$395 per person | No charge for Patrons
Dress for a Party | Black Tie Optional

Washington National Cathedral | 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW | Washington DC
Parking in Washington National Cathedral’s Garage $10

The James Renwick Alliance is an independent national non-profit organization that celebrates the achievements of America’s craft artists and fosters scholarship, education, connoisseurship and public appreciation of craft art. Founded in 1982, the Alliance fulfills its mission through public programs, educational trips, publications, recognition of craft artists, and financial support of museums and other non-profit organizations, including the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Posted in craft, james renwick alliance, JRA, spring craft weekend

James Renwick Alliance Presents Judit Varga Workshop and Talk

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Michael Janis |

The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) showcases ceramic artist Judit Varga as part of the 2016-17 Distinguished Artist Series.

An accomplished ceramicist, Judit uses three shapes – circle, square, and knot – as her basic vocabulary. By concentrating on simple forms, texture and muted colors, she highlights the sensual qualities of the clay itself and explores wider subjects of movement, transition, and change.

Judit Varga. photo Robert Severi

In the JRA workshop Judit will show some of her techniques for creating texture and interesting color variations, and forming her large abstract shapes (held at artist’s studio in Kensington, MD.)

In her lecture, Judit will show slides of her work and discuss her career, including her international background and influences.

For more information: www.juditvarga.net

WHERE & WHEN

Workshop Date: Saturday, Sept 24, 2016
Time: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Workshop Venue: Judit Varga Studio
4208B Howard Avenue
Kensington, MD

Map & Directions

Lecture Date: Sunday, Sept 25, 2016
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

N.B. This weekend has the opening of the National Museum of African America History Museum (with 20,000 expected in DC/Saturday and many on Sunday) – which will coincide with Judit’s presentation SAAM presentation – make sure you allow for traffic on the event.

Lecture Venue: MacMillan Education Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum

The James Renwick Alliance was created as an independent national nonprofit organization to celebrate the achievements of America’s craft artists and to foster scholarship, education and public appreciation of their art.

General Information:
Workshops will take place on Saturdays, from 9:30am to 12:00. The morning will begin with a meet-and-greet with the artist over coffee and pastries. The workshop will begin at 10am and end at noon.
On-site parking available at all workshops. Locations and directions for each workshop can be found on individual workshop pages.
Workshop participants will have the opportunity to attend a potluck dinner with the artist on Saturday evening, if space permits. Details will be provided to workshop registrants.
Sunday lectures are free and open to the public and will take place from 2:00pm – 3:00pm .
Price
Member – $160
Non-member – $220

click HERE for more info.

Posted in ceramic, james renwick alliance

James Renwick Alliance Distinguished Artist: Donald Friedlich

Posted on May 26, 2016 by admin |

Don Friedlich, “Navel Orange Brooch” cast glass

The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) is committed to advancing scholarship, education and an appreciation of craft art as well as promoting individual achievements of excellence and innovation in craft. The JRA’s mission is to promote education, support and appreciation of craft. Each year, the JRA sponsors its Distinguished Artist Series, where craft artists prominent in their fields conduct workshops and give lectures. Each of the “Distinguished Artist” weekends include a workshop and the artist presents their work in the newly renovated Grand Salon at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery.

On June 4th & 5th, Donald Friedlich will present and talk about his innovative contemporary jewelry that incorporates cast glass.

Donald Friedlich has been an innovative jeweler for over 40 years. Lauded for his stark, designerly forms and, most recently, for his luminous jewelry pieces in glass and gold, his work can be found in the collections of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass.

Don’s work involves a wide array of techniques in this new jewelry – including artwork inspired by food, which combines four of his passions: food, humor, glass and jewelry. He literally is doing “lost celery casting” and “lost asparagus casting”. By casting these mundane materials in glass Don hopes that the viewer will see them in a new light and realize what beautiful forms they are.

Don Friedlich, “Asparagus Brooches” cast glass

Some of the other designs are press molded and are in line with his recent series inspired by water and geometry.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The JRA Distinguished Artist Workshop will take place on Saturday, June 4th from 9:30am to 12:00. There are still some spaces in the Donald Friedlich workshop on June 4. He will be demonstrating press molding hot glass, creating molds and cold-working techniques. For more information, go to the link. https://www.jra.org/events/donald-friedlich

Location of workshop: DC Glassworks

5346 46th Avenue
Hyattsville MD 20781

The Sunday, June 5th lecture is free and open to the public and will take place from 2:00pm – 3:00pm in the newly renovated Grand Salon at the Renwick Gallery.

Posted in cast glass, distinguished artist, james renwick alliance, JRA

JRA Distinguished Artist Sibylle Peretti Workshop and Lecture @ Smithsonian Renwick Gallery

Posted on May 24, 2016 by admin |

Sibylle Peretti; “Siblings”; glass; 15″ x 22″ x 10″, 2005. What stands out in artist Sibylle Peretti’s artwork are the intense images of children in nature – part dream and part fairy tale.

As part of the James Renwick Alliance “Distinguished Artist” series – glass artist Sibylle Peretti was in Washington, DC for a workshop and presentation at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery.

Artist Sibylle Peretti demonstrates her techniques at the JRA Distinguished Artist workshop held at Weisser Studio.

The JRA gets to pull their finger out!

Sibylle’s workshop – held at Weisser Studio was great fun, the attendees were able to see how Sibylle creates the molds and forms for her enigmatic artwork.

The JRA held dinners in her honor – and many were able to talk with the artist about her inspirations, process and history.

Michael Janis introduces JRA Distinguished Artist Sibylle Peretti

On Sunday, May 22, Sibylle Peretti presented her works to the audience that gathered at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery. The Renwick Gallery has had such a tremendous upturn in attendance with the “Wonder” exhibit – that even with the constant rain, a sizable crowd listened in rapt attention.

The JRA has had so many great artist presentations – we can’t wait for the next one! Click HERE to jump to the James Renwick Alliance Distinguished Artist Series page.

Sibylle Peretti talking about her work at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery

Posted in distinguished artist, james renwick alliance, JRA, Sibylle Peretti

James Renwick Alliance Presents Artist Sibylle Peretti @ Smithsonian Renwick Gallery

Posted on May 16, 2016 by admin |

Sibylle Peretti; “Land Mine”; slumped, engraved, painted and silvered glass, paper; 60″ x 80″ x 0.5″; 2015

The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) was created as an independent national nonprofit organization to celebrate the achievements of America’s craft artists and to foster scholarship, education and public appreciation of their art. Founded in 1982, the Alliance helps support our nation’s showcase of 20th century American craft, the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC.

Sibylle Peretti; “Twins” cast glass, 18″ x 24″ x 10″; 2010

As part of the JRA Distinguished Artist Series, on the JRA will welcomes glass sculptor Sibylle Peretti to speak about her work and inspirations at the Renwick Gallery – home to the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection of contemporary craft and decorative art.

Sibylle Peretti at work.

Sibylle Peretti is an artist who grew up surrounded by traditional glassmaking. Trained as a glass designer at the State School for Glass Making in Zwiesel Germany, she learned techniques of enameling, engraving, cutting and designing glass. She expanded the range of her artistic voice as she received an MFA from the Academy of Fine Art in Cologne and was trained as a Glass Designer at the School for Glassmaking in Zwiesel, Germany. Sibylle Peretti lives and works in both New Orleans, LA and Cologne, Germany. Sibylle often works collaboratively with her husband – artist Stephen Paul Day.

Sibylle Peretti; “To Know A Hawk” cast glass, 16″ x 17″ x 13″, 2013

Her work has won numerous awards and endorsements, including grants from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation and the Joan Mitchell Foundation as well as the 2013 United States Artist Fellowship for her glass sculptures and multimedia collages, which combine photography & drawing with surface interventions such as engraving, mirroring and glass slumping. Children and nature, as symbols of innocence and promise, are the central themes in Sibylle’s work.

Her work is included in the permanent collections of the Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY; Carnegie Museum of Art (Pittsburgh, PA), Museum of American Glass (Milleville, NJ), Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Canada), Museum für Kunsthandwerk (Frankfurt, Germany), Hunter Museum (Chattanooga TN), Speed Museum (Louisville,KY), and 21c Museum (Louisville, KY).

The JRA invites the public to join Sibylle Peretti at the newly renovated Smithsonian Renwick Gallery as she talks about her work and career.

Lecture Date: Sunday, May 22, 2016
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Lecture Venue: Grand Salon, Renwick Gallery

The JRA’s mission is to promote education, support and appreciation of craft. If you’d like to learn more about the group, please see the JRA website.

Posted in distinguished artist, figurative art, james renwick alliance, JRA, mixed media glass, narrative glass, Sibylle Peretti, stephen paul day | Tagged contemporary glass, das, modern glass art

Penland Mountain Comes To Washington, DC

Posted on April 3, 2016 by admin |

Jean McLaughlin (center) Exec Director of Penland School of Craft visits Washington Glass School

A Penland School of Crafts contingency was in Washington, DC as Jean McLaughlin, Penland’s Executive Director is to be honored at the James Renwick Alliance (JRA) “Educator Award” this weekend. Others receiving the biennial award is Jamie Bennett, Chunghi Choo and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Fab Lab.

The JRA presents the award to individuals or organizations in the craft world who have made significant and pioneering contributions in craft education.

Artist Vivian Beer - season 2 winner of the Ellen DeGeneres HGTV show "Design Challenge" joins the Penland crew at the glass school.

Artist Vivian Beer (center)- season 2 winner of the Ellen DeGeneres HGTV show “Design Challenge” joins the Penland crew at the glass school.

Michael Janis talks about his process to the Penland group.

Posted in james renwick alliance, JRA, penland school of craft, Washington School of Glass

JRA SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND 2016!

Posted on March 11, 2016 by admin |

Join the James Renwick Alliance (JRA) for Spring Craft Weekend 2016 on April 1-3 for a joyful celebration of American Craft.

Spring Craft Weekend is a fabulous three day celebration of works made in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood…where Craft as Art is explored in many forms. The JRA honors individuals or organizations in the craft world who have made significant and pioneering contributions in craft education.

This year’s Spring Craft Weekend includes a free symposium on Saturday, April 2 at the recently renovated Smithsonian Renwick Gallery – 10:30 am – 12:00pm.

Saturday Symposium panel: Stuart Kestenbaum, Chair, Board of Trustees of the American Craft Council and former Director of Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, will chair a panel discussion with four renowned artists: Theresa Secord, founder of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance; Sonya Clark, fiber artist and Chair of the Craft and Material Studies Program at VCU; David Keefe, creator of Combat Paper NJ in New Jersey; and Alleghany Meadows, studio potter and founder of Artstream Nomadic Gallery.

For more info on Spring Craft Weekend & to register for the events – click HERE.

The James Renwick Alliance is an independent national
nonprofit organization, created to recognize the achievements of
America’s craft artists and to foster scholarship, education and public
appreciation of craft art. Founded in 1982, the Alliance contributes to
the nation’s showcase of contemporary American craft, the Smithsonian
American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C.
with acquisitions for the permanent collection, exhibitions support
and education and scholarship programs.

Posted in james renwick alliance, JRA, smithsonian, spring craft weekend | Tagged scw

JRA Day December 5, 2015!

Posted on November 27, 2015 by admin |

JRA Day is next week! On December 5 at the Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase invite all to see the work of more than 35 artists working across the craft media. These special artists – including 10 new artists and artists who have shown their work at the ACC Baltimore Show, the Washington Craft Show and SOFA Chicago – will have their incredible work for sale at this free event!

JRA Day is a one-day showcase for artists who are members of the James Renwick Alliance. This event gives the public the opportunity to see and purchase work by artists in many media.

For more info – click HERE to jump to the JRA Day page. There is also a Raffle – featuring prizes that are works of craft art by local artists – David Fry, Clara Graves, Allegra Marquart, Laura Peery, and Chris Shea.

The James Renwick Alliance is an independent national nonprofit organization that celebrates the achievements of America’s craft artists and fosters scholarship, education and public appreciation of craft art.

The JRA was founded in 1982 and is the exclusive support group for the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, our nation’s showcase of contemporary American craft. Since its founding, the JRA has donated more than $3 million to the Renwick Gallery, and it has supported the purchase of more than 175 works for the Renwick Gallery collection.

The JRA also supports public programs in craft, including its annual Distinguished Artists Series, which brings craft artists to Washington, D.C. for workshops and lectures. For more information on the JRA, including a calendar of events and how to join, go to theirweb site at www.jra.org or visit on Facebook.

Posted in james renwick alliance, JRA

James Renwick Alliance Talk by King & Queen of Pâte de Verre

Posted on August 3, 2015 by admin |

Artist Talk: Shin-ichi & Kimiake Higuchi

August 23, 2015, 2:00 p.m.

On Sunday, August 23 at 2:00 p.m., you are invited to join the James Renwick Alliance (JRA) for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear and talk with world-renowned glass artists Shin-ichi and Kimiake Higuchi.

Self-taught in the ancient glass-casting technique called pâte de verre, the Higuchis have been called the “King and Queen of Pâte de Verre.” Their work in this medium possesses luster, translucency and shine that seems unfathomable. They have works in major collections around the world. Some of their work will be available for purchase after the talk.

Space is limited.

$25 JRA Members and their guests; $45 Non-members

Address and directions will be provided after registration.

*Due to the website difficulties, the JRA will be accepting reservations via phone, 301-907-3888, and via e-mail, jamesrenwickalliance@gmail.com.

Watch Shin-ichi demonstrate his technique in this short two and half-minute video.

Posted in james renwick alliance

JRA Distinguished Artists Einar & Jamex de la Torre

Posted on April 30, 2015 by admin |

EINAR AND JAMEX DE LA TORRE

Glass and mixed media artists Einar and Jamex de la Torre will speak at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the James Renwick Alliance’s Distinguished Artist Series at 2 PM on Sunday, May 3.

Mexican-born artists Einar and Jamex de la Torre are brothers and artistic collaborators, who moved to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco in the early 1970’s. Leaving behind the academic, religious and social rigors of an all-boys Catholic school in 1960’s Guadalajara, the de la Torre brothers ended up in the small Southern California surf town of Dana Point, where they discovered the unbridled joys of co-ed public schools.

While attending California State University at Long Beach in the 80’s, they studied sculpture and glass blowing, during which time the artist-brothers began a flame-worked glass figure business. This business was quickly eclipsed when their artistic collaboration began in earnest in the late 1980’s with small mix media works. In the late 1990’s, they began to do large-scale sculptural installations, eventually branching out into commissioned site-specific and public art projects.

Currently, the brothers live and work on both sides of the San Diego-Baja California border, enjoying a bi-national life style that very much informs their art. Einar and Jamex de la Torre have worked, taught and exhibited both nationally, as well as internationally. Their distinctive three-dimensional work can be found in galleries, museum collections, Museum catalogs, as well as in various public art installations. They are recent recipients of the Joan Mitchel foundation award and the Louis Comfort Tiffany foundation award.

On Saturday, May 2 at 10am, the artists will give a workshop featuring a demonstration of their hot glass techniques at DC Glassworks. To sign up for the demonstration go to: James Renwick Alliance registration page.

Artists Talk – Free and Open to the Public

Date: Sunday, May 3, 2015

Time: 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Location: The MacMillan Education Center (1st floor) at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

For more information, visit their website: www.delatorrebros.com

Posted in distinguished artist, james renwick alliance, JRA | Tagged De La Torre

The Washington Glass School

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