The Fall 2012 issue of American Style Magazine features DC contemporary art collectors Ben and Giselle Huberman.
The new Fall issue of American Style Magazine is now out, and one of the feature stories is about Giselle and Ben Huberman and their amazing contemporary art collection that showcases their support of area artists.
Ben & Giselle Huberman have been strong supporters of artists of the Washington Glass School, including Erwin Timmers, Chris Shea, Michael Janis, Sean Hennessey and Tim Tate.
The American Style photo of the Huberman’s Potomac, MD residence shows Michael Janis’ glass sgraffito panel “Cubans Dreaming of Liberty“
Within the article (written by Marilyn Millstone with photos by Timothy Jacobsen) are references and glimpses of work by Chris Shea, Michael Janis, Sean Hennessey. Tim Tate’s “Ode to Joy” has a detailed description. In the mixed media sculpture, cast glass hands spell out in sign language the words to “Ode to Joy” in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. A video of a tenor singing Beethoven’s work is inside the domed glass, but without sound – which is how Beethoven would have experienced the song – as he became deaf.
The article has a detailed sidebar about Tim Tate’s “Ode to Joy” sculpture (photo below by anythingphoto.net).
Tim Tate “Ode to Joy” blown & cast glass, original video, electronics
A video of a tenor singing Beethoven’s work is inside the domed glass, but without sound – which is how Beethoven would have experienced the song – as he became deaf. An interesting note – the tenor featured within Tim Tate’s work is artist Sean Hennessey. Besides being a glass/concrete mixed media sculptor, with work in the Huberman’s collection,Sean is an accomplished tenor. Below is the video of Sean singing that is incorporated into the sculpture. Have a look for the magazine at the newstands now!
The Penland 2012 auction tent as lighting lights up the sky. The central focus of the trip was built around attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction featuring the sale of over 200 craft items, and it was a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts.
Tim Tate and Sean Hennessey have just returned from taking a James Renwick Alliance (JRA) tour out to North Carolina’s Penland School of Crafts for the Annual Benefit Auction. Additionally, the “Tour with Tate” visited the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville. For this post – we will tag along with the JRA as they visit some of the artist studios.
Michael Sherrill’s incredible studio
Michael Sherrill’s ceramic artwork
Ceramist Michael Sherrill has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.
Michael Sherrill talking about his work
Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McCollCenterfor Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.
Hoss recycles objects like washing machines and cars – often crumpling them into ball shapes mounted to walls or stacked.
Christina Cordova & Pablo De Soto’s studio was visited as part of the tour. This husband and wife team operate their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself. Pablo’s beautiful glass blown vessels were loved by all and Cristina Cordova’s incredible ceramics were a highlight to the tour.
Christina Cordova talks about her recent works.
Christina Cordova’s work is awesome.
Pablo De Soto charms Fred and Susan Sanders
A trip to the Asheville Art Museum included a personal tour by curator Nancy Sokolove. Also, glass artist Alex Bernstein came to talk about his process.
Alex Bernstein talks to the JRA at the Asheville Art Museum.
Dan Essig’s wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Dan’s works incorporates so many things -fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork.
Dan Essig talks of his work
No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery currently has up work from the “Glass Secession” exhibit – that includes works by Christina Bothwell, Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Susan Taylor Glasgow and Sean Hennessey.
A view of the Blue Spiral 1 Gallery.
Stoney Lamar works in sculptural woodturning. His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, MintMuseumof Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.
Stoney shows some of the special woods that Fleur Bresler had sourced.
Stoney talked of his process to the tour.
The big show was the drama, anticipation and socializing at the Penland Auction.
Glass sculptor Beth Lipman chats with Susan and Fred Sanders
Dan Clayman with the proud owners of his Penland auction piece….Giselle and Ben Huberman
The annual Penland auction was huge success. Over 600k raised for an incredible place – a new record! Congrats to all who were involved!
The James Renwick Alliance has announced the winners of their “Master of the Medium” award for 2013. The Masters of the Medium award recognizes artists of consummate craftsmanship who have contributed to and influenced their chosen fields. The Masters of the Medium awards were initiated in 1997 on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of the James Renwick Alliance and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery. The Masters of the Medium Awards are given biennially in odd numbered years. The 2013 winners are:
Paul J. Stankard “integrates mysticism with botanical realism giving the glass organic credibility”. His work celebrates the beauty of nature on an intimate level. His work is in 38 museum collections, five books and documentaries are published about his work, has been shown in too many exhibitions to count. He has helped advance flame working by teaching at seven master classes, including in Japan and Scotland. He supports the Creative Glass Center of America as a board member since its founding in 1983 and as president for three years.
“Jewelry is interesting because it is one of the last portable art forms. Carried on the body, jewelry intrudes into public space at the same time it represents the persona of the wearer. The more unusual the ornament, the more disturbing the intrusion, and the more radical the representation. Wearing my jewelry requires either a great sense of adventure, or a total disregard for potential ostracism.” – Excerpt from Artist Statement, 1991
William Hunter masterfully turns and disc cuts wood to create precise and polished spirals and helixes which open up the vessel with contrast between inside and outside, shadow and light, matter and empty space. He rewards us with unique and innovative vessels and sculptural forms. His work is in 23 museum collections, featured in 28 books of sculpture and woodturning, and has been shown in over 60 exhibitions.
Mary Giles resides in St. Croix, Minnesota. In the early 1980’s she participated in shows with other influential basket artists. She creates mixed – media coiled baskets that are very sculptural in nature. Her choice of fine waxed linen and metal attached shapes go far beyond the traditional basket. The forms take on a surprise element. She says this about her work, “Today, I am very concerned about the environment and try to capture the forms, textures and light found in nature.”
Adrian Saxe, a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, has been named, “the most significant ceramic artist of his generation” by L.A.critic, Chris Knight.A California artist and influential teacher for more than 30 years – another critic sums up his work thus,” Saxe is a virtuoso…spectacularly skilled”.His ornate, and humorous vessels make reference to traditional vessels and become objects of rare originality and beauty at the same time.
The winners will receive their awards during Spring Craft Weekend, April 5 to 7, 2013.
Art, Work, Love and Other Basics. A panel presented by The James Renwick Alliance
Date & Time:
Tonite Friday, June 22, 2012 –8:00pm–10:00pm
Location:
Renwick Alliance Room – 11th Floor Artomatic
Art, Work, Love and Other Basics will be presented by the JamesRenwickAlliance on June 22 at 8 PM at theJRAEducation Room,11th floor.
The moderator of the panel will be the sculptor and educator Rick Wall, and the panelists will be Brad Taylor, DonnaMcCullough, Julia Bloom, Matt MacIntire, and Michael Janis, recognized by the JRAfor their outstanding work. The artists will be discussing their creative processes, the body of their work, their interests, and their inspiration. FREE and Open to the Public.
The Art Fair is almost over – if you have not yet made it over to see the exhibits – here’s another invitation!
The James Renwick Alliance will also host a reception at Artomatic on Saturday, June 2 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the JRA Education Room, #1106, on the 11th floor. Many of artists whose work was selected the JRA as recipients of the Award of Excellence will be at the reception – starting around 6 PM. At the Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Room on the 3rd floor @ 7:30pm, they will announce the Department’s purchases of artwork by Prince George’s County artists for the Department’s permanent collection – for a bit of art excitement!
The panel discussionHow Experts Determine What Works of Art Stand out was organized by Giselle Huberman, left. Panels were Nancy Weisser, Judy Weisman, Tim Tate and Cynthia Boyer, not pictured.
The James Renwick Allinace (JRA) held a fun talk at Artomatic this past weekend – titled “How Experts Determine What Works of Art Stand Out”. Some other JRA events coming up at Artomatic at the JRA Education Room, 1106 (on the 11th Floor) incude: ·June 2 at 5:00 to 7:00 PM – a JRA reception scheduled for Artomatic’s “Meet the Artists” Night planned for 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
··June 22 at 8:00 PM – The public is invited to join a panel of JRA Award of Excellence winners as they discuss their work.
Check out all the Artomatic events coming up – click HERE!
>The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) is an independent national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing scholarship and education on contemporary American craft, to supporting activities directed toward this purpose, and to encouraging connoisseurship and collecting. The JRAassists the SmithsonianAmerican Art Museum in adding to its permanent collection of American craft. For over 25 years, the JRA has supported activities and programs involving hundreds of artists, art supporters, galleries, and partnering institutions from across the nation and around the world. As part of their mission for the arts, the JRA are sponsors of a workshop/reception “Renwick Alliance Room” in the huge DC Arts Fair – Artomatic. Located on the 11th Floor of the festival, the JRA has planned workshops and talks throughout the month long run of the show (thru June 23).
Members of the JRA has also went thru the 10 floors of artwork – selecting their Top 10 media-based artists for their 2012 Artomatic “Award of Excellence”.
Congrats to the WGS/DC Glass artists & all the artists involved in the huge event! And a big hug to the James Renwick Alliance!
The James Renwick Alliance welcomes the public to join them in a pre meet-the-artists-night reception. Mingle with other craft lovers! The JRA will be distributing maps they have created to help you find the media-based artists of Artomatic. Saturday June 2 5:00pm-7:00pm The Renwick Alliance Room, 11th floor
I wanted to take this time to tell you a bit about an upcoming art experience I have organized on behalf of the James Renwick Alliance. Over the years, my favorite and the most enjoyable trips I ever take is to Penland School of Crafts outside of Asheville North Carolina. This area of the country is dense with amazing artists. You may know my work, but you may not know what Penland and the artists in the Asheville area have meant to my career.
I first attended a class at Penland in 1989. It was a survey casting class…the only non-blowing class I could find anywhere in the country. Without hot glass facilities in the Washington region, I wanted to focus my skills towards a different aesthetic…one that I could work with while back at home. Thus began my lifelong relationship with this spectacular school and the generous artists who surrounded it. Here is a link to an article that goes into depth on why I have such a strong commitment to this area.
A central focus of this trip will be attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction, the centerpiece of a gala weekend in the North Carolina Mountains featuring the sale of over 200 craft items. The Penland auction is one of the premier collecting events in the Southeast, and it is a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts. Additionally,we will be visiting the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville and the region. This will honestly be the best 5 day excursion you have ever taken…at least I’m gonna try to make it that way!. Here is the schedule of events:
Wednesday, August 8
We arrive in at the Inn at Little Switzerland on the Blue Ridge Parkway with spectacular views of the valley…a favorite spot for travelers in this area….either by plane or driving down, your choice. If you come by plane, you would come to Asheville, where we will arrange pick up. Our plan is to share the cars that come down, and caravan to each location. Close to both Asheville and Penland, this will be our base. Our first event will be a Wednesday evening welcome dinner and cocktails at the Inn.
Inn at Little Switzerland
Thursday, August 9th
After a quick bite at the Inn, we leave at 8:30 and head out to see the sites of Asheville and to some amazing artists studios for private tours. Most of these studios are in the surrounding area, but we will end up in the heart of the city. Here is a list of those studios:
Michael Sherrill
Ceramist Michael Sherrill received a visual arts fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council in 1992. His work is in several major collections, including the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina and the Renwick Museum. He has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.
Michael Sherrill
Stoney Lamar Lamar received his BS degree in industrial arts (wood technology) from Appalachian State University. A friend’s borrowed lathe led him away from his original goal to design and build furniture, however, to sculptural woodturning. He apprenticed with Mark and Melvin Lindquist and the year’s experience there freed him from many self-imposed restrictions and limitations of traditional lathe approaches. It opened new avenues and processes for the expression of his aesthetic.
His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, Mint Museum of Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.
Lunch that day will be at Stoneys restaurant just outside Asheville.
Stoney Lamar
Hoss Haley Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McColl Center for Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and he is represented by the New Gallery of Modern Art in Charlotte, NC. Hoss has been a resident artist at Penland School of Crafts and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Hoss Hailey
Dan Essig Frequently thought of as the pre-eminent book art maker in this country, you will not find any of Daniel Essig’s books on the shelves of a library. These wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Formerly a photographer, Essig is inspired by found objects that he comes across every day. A self-described hoarder, he will incorporate these items—fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork. His studio is located next to the Grove Point Inn, where we will peak in for a quick look at their amazing Stickley Collection.
Dan Essig
Blue Spiral Gallery No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery presents work by exceptional Southern artists and object makers in a beautifully renovated building in the heart of downtown Asheville. The light-filled, 15,000 square-foot gallery spans three floors connected by an open stairway. This spacious setting allows Blue Spiral 1 to offer considerable diversity, affording accessibility to various tastes and aesthetics.
Blue Spiral Gallery
Now, on to dinner! We are planning our meal at the spectacular Posana Restaurant in the center of Asheville. Then back to the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Posana Restaurant
Friday, August 10th Today we will stay closer to Penland, exploring several studios and then joining in the festivities surrounding the Penland auction, which begin at 3pm with auction previews.
Christina Cordova/Pablo DeSato This husband and wife team have their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself, and are 2 of the most widely known artists on this tour.
De Soto Glass Design was formed around the idea of creating and designing objects that enhance living spaces and environments. As a company we make a wide variety of work. A large portion of what we do revolves around glass blown vessels and functionally oriented works. Lighting design is quickly becoming an influential part of the sum. We also use our facilities and skills for creating glass blown objects for other designers and artists.
Cristina Cordova is a studio artist living in Penland,NC. Originally from Puerto Rico, she received her BA from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and went to earn her MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. In 2005 she concluded a three year residency at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She was the recipient of an American Craft Council Emerging Artist Grant as well as a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship Award.
Christina Cordova
Pablo Sato
Lunch this day will be on grounds at the Penland Dining Hall.
Penland Gallery No trip to Penland would ever be complete without a visit to the Penland Gallery. The Penland Gallery–featuring work by artists affiliated with Penland School of Crafts–is a stop worth adding to your trip through Western North Carolina. It is the perfect place to choose a gift, add to your craft collection, or learn about contemporary craft. You will see such artists as Marc Petrovic, Marc Peisser and yours truly, Tim Tate.
Marc Petrovic
Now its on to the auction. It begins at 3pm with the silent auction in the new state of the art facilities in the Print/Letterpress Studio. Dozens of Penland’s artists will be showing there. Then on to a lovely dinner and wine under the beautiful tent overlooking the valley on Penland’s grounds while the main Friday night auction goes on. After this, its back for a quick cocktail at the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Auction Tent under the Penland Sky
Saturday, August 11th The morning begins with coffee and breakfast at The Barns at Penland, where we will be treated to a show by the resident artists here at Penland. Always a highlight and much fun. from the we attend a show given by the Core Students where we will see the work of tomorrows most promising artists. On to the Saturday silent auction and artist chats….then on to the main festivities of the luncheon and live auction. This will definitely be the highlight of the weekend!
Resident Artist Barns at Penland
2 major works will be the big spotlight! One by Beth Lipman, one by Dan Clayman….both stunning!
Beth Lipman
Dan Clayman
After the auction we will head back to the Inn at Little Switzerland, where we will have time to freshen up before a lovely farewell cocktail and dinner party where you will be able to swap stories with the new friends you made on this spectacular trip!
Sunday, August 11th travel day…..those that need a ride to the airport, we will arrange it.
Please give me this opportunity to show you why I hold this area of the country in such high esteem. I guarantee it will be a stupendous trip.
To reserve a space for this trip, its first come and space is limited. Contact Cecie at the James Renwick Alliance at admin@jra.org or call to 301- 907-3888
Tim Tate Co-Director Washington Glass School 3700 Otis St. Mt. Rainier, Md. 20712 WashGlass.com
No plans for New Year’s Eve yet?Here’s a very unusual event you may want to attend!
The James Renwick Alliance is throwing a fund raiser for the museum at the spectacular home of ubercollectors Ben and Giselle Huberman in Potomac, MD.Did I say home?I meant castle! This 30,000 sq ft four story unbelievable house will play host to an Art Casino Night. Poker and Roulette will be there….but instead of money, you win art! Plus its catered!
Ben & Giselle Huberman
Artists include many local folks…..Tim Tate, Andrew Wodzianski, Sean Hennessey…..dozens of others.And here is the bizarre part –Tim Tate will be the Master of Ceremonies! (quelle Fellini).It’s a fund raiser….so its $250 per person (tax deductible). For that you get $50 worth of chips to play at the casino. There is also an artist treasure hunt in the house with a great prize!
What could be more fun! Gambling in a magnificent house, fully catered food and wine, dancing, cabaret…..and art for prizes!!If you are interested, call Tim at 202-744-8222. You must have your name in and be paid by Friday at 5pm.
Clemmer Montague – President of the James Renwick Alliance introduces the panel of speakers to the audience.
The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) is dedicated to advancing scholarship and education on contemporary American craft and to encouraging connoisseurship and collecting. The Alliance assists the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in adding to its permanent collection of American craft, supports scholarly research in contemporary American craft and pursues other activities in support of the studio craft movement. As part if this goal, the JRA held a talk on the process and inspirations that made up Washington Glass Studio’s recently completed Safeway Bethesda public art project. The talk was much more popular than the organizers had anticipated, as there was standing room only. Readers of the Glass School blog are familiar with the development of the project. Here are some shots of the event – photos by Miriam Rosenthal of ThirdEyePhotography.
Safeway’s Renee Montgomery, Safeway’s Eastern Division, Area Real Estate Manager outlines the Safeway’s approach towards supporting and integrating American craft artwork in its buildings.
Michael Janis outlines the concepts employed by the glass studio.
The audience is transfixed by the sheer poetry of the project .
Here Michael describes how eco-artist Erwin Timmers is planning to save the planet with his sustainable design artwork – one piece at a time.
“This is the part where Erwin sings ♪ Here I Come To Save The Day! ♫“
The talk continued with a tour of the Safeway public art project onsite, hosted by Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers.For more information about the James Renwick Alliance events – click HERE.
