Left to right : Gary Beecham, Maurine Littleton, Harvey Littleton, Wayne Ledford circa 1983
June 14 marks the birthday anniversary of Harvey Littleton (1922–2013), the artist, educator, and visionary whose influence forever transformed the world of contemporary glass.
Widely recognized as the Father of the Studio Glass Movement, Littleton challenged the notion that glass belonged exclusively to factories and industrial production. Instead, he believed artists should have direct access to the material itself—working with molten glass as a medium for personal expression, experimentation, and fine art.
Born in Corning, New York, on June 14, 1922, Harvey Littleton grew up immersed in glass. His father, Dr. Jesse T. Littleton, headed research at Corning Glass Works, and a scientific career seemed a natural path. Yet Harvey chose art, first establishing himself as a ceramist before turning his attention to glass.
That decision would change the course of art history.
By developing small-scale glass furnaces suitable for artists’ studios and universities, Littleton helped move glassmaking out of the factory and into the hands of individual creators. His groundbreaking workshops in 1962 ignited what would become the Studio Glass Movement, inspiring generations of artists to explore the expressive possibilities of hot glass.
A photograph from around 1983, shared by his daughter Maurine, captures a remarkable moment in this journey. By that time, Harvey had already spent two decades reshaping the field. The studio environment depicted in the image embodies the values he championed: experimentation, collaboration, mentorship, and the endless pursuit of discovery through making.
The early 1980s represented a particularly significant period in Littleton’s artistic career. He was creating some of his most celebrated sculptural works, including pieces from his Crown series and dynamic geometric forms that pushed the boundaries of glass as a sculptural material. In 1983, he received the American Craft Council Gold Medal, one of the highest honors in American craft.
Equally important was his role as an educator. At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Littleton established the first university-level glass program in the United States. His students included many of the artists who would define the field, among them Dale Chihuly, Marvin Lipofsky, Fritz Dreisbach, and countless others who carried his ideas into studios and classrooms around the world.
His legacy continues through institutions, artists, educators, and advocates who remain committed to the creative freedom he envisioned. Among them is his daughter, Maurine Littleton, whose gallery in Washington, D.C., has championed studio glass artists for decades, helping preserve and advance the movement her father helped launch.
On this June 14 birthday anniversary, we celebrate more than Harvey Littleton’s achievements. We honor a spirit of innovation, generosity, and artistic courage that continues to inspire glass artists today.
Every artist who gathers around a furnace, every student who discovers the magic of molten glass, and every studio dedicated to creative exploration owes something to Harvey Littleton’s vision.
Happy Birthday, Harvey. Your influence continues to glow.
Writing in the the East City Art the renowned critic wrote about his “glass works that cross the line between sculpture (as in relief sculpture) and painting, and which stand out in brilliant color….From both a technical and subjective viewpoint this is a striking show.”
Glass Art Magazine has a podcast series aptly named “Talking Out Your Glass” that features interviews and discussions with world-renowned glass artists. WGS’ Michael Janis joins the series as he talks about how he does his glass powder drawings and his upcoming solo show at Georgetown’s Maurine Littleton Gallery.
click above to listen to podcast
Michael’s solo exhibit titled “Echoes of Leaves and Shadows” features his new glass works and sculptures and opens Friday, September 16, 2016.
Michael Janis, “Radiance”;2016; fused glass, glass powder imagery, steel; 12.5″ x 12.5″
American Craft Council’s interview with Michael Janis about his solo exhibit at Maurine Littleton Gallery.
Washington Glass School Co-Director Michael Janis will have a solo exhibition of new glass works and sculptures at Georgetown’s Maurine Littleton Gallery. The exhibit, “Echoes of Leaves and Shadows“, is the artist’s first solo exhibition with Maurine Littleton Gallery, and the first at the gallery since artist Ginny Ruffner’s solo show in 2012.
Michael Janis has developed and refined an intuitive technique over many years where he manipulates crushed glass powder into detailed images and portraits. An artist who embraces the simple expression of narrative, Janis’ concise work perfects visual storytelling with fantastic imagery. His work explores the unseen sides of life, longing and loneliness, juxtaposed with fragile beauty.
The American Craft Council interviewed Michael about his new works and artwork directions – this article is now online. Click HERE to jump to the American Craft article.
Every fall – for the past 20 years – Chicago, IL hosts the internationally acclaimed Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair (aka SOFA Chicago).
The 21st SOFA Chicago will be held November 7 – 9, 2014 at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall where masterworks from top international galleries and dealers from numerous countries will exhibit. Opening night gala preview will be held Thursday, November 6.
Washington Glass School is represented by artists Michael Janis and Allegra Marquart at Maurine Littleton Gallery and Sean Hennessey and Tim Tate are exhibiting at Habatat Galleries Space.
Allegra Marquart, “On The Bus” (detail), 2014, cast glass, enamel; OA dimensions 48″ L x 24″ H. Photo by Anything Photographic
Allegra Marquart will present a number of her new wall installations. Her new works are not strictly narrative but relate to etchings the artist made years ago when she first moved to the city and began interpreting what she saw on the streets with humor and an eye for juxtaposing disparate situations and individuals.
Sean Hennessey, “The Fur-Suit of Happiness” Cast Glass, Paint, Video (Photo by Anything Photographic)
Sean Hennessey will be showing his cast glass/ mixed media panels at Habatat Galleries. His new works integrate electronics and videos into the panels.
Tim Tate, “The Healing Polyopticon”, Poly-Vitro, Glass, Video
Tim Tate will be showing his installation “The Healing Polyopticon” – a 5 ft wide installation consisting of 16 video pieces in varying sizes of cast black frames. Each video is in the form of an eye blinking; each eye different. Surrounding this cluster of 16 video frames are cast black flowers that fills out the 5 ft wide circle . The work is based on a terminal diagnosis he received 30 years ago – and he imagined that he was being kept safe by those who passed before him – all keeping an eye on him thru portals. In this sculpture he portrays people who had effected his life in a positive way…keeping him from passing over, making him safe; imbuing him with self healing energy. This powerful sculpture will at Habatat Galleries space.
Michael Janis, “Breathing In The Quiet” and “Waiting For The Lover’s Words”, fused glass powder imagery, glass, steel. (Photo by Anything Photographic)
Michael Janis will be showing a number of new works at Maurine Littleton Gallery space. The American Institute of Interior Designers (ASID) chose his work as part of their picks forSOFA Selects – wherehighlighted pieces chosen by noted curators, designers, and critics give viewers of the fair way to navigate the huge show.
If you are going to the show – be sure to stop by and visit with the artists – all will be at the Chicago Fair!
Georgetown Galleries on Book Hill have their Fall Art Walk this Friday, Sept 12th, 2014. Nine galleries will host an evening stroll and launch their fine art exhibitions in a beautiful part of Washington, DC. A night of art, fun, and refreshments is on the agenda. Start at Maurine Littleton Gallery, whose new exhibit “Body/Building” opens.
Michael Janis; “When She Was There”; kiln formed glass, glass powder imagery; 24 x 15 x 2″
Maurine Littleton Gallery presents BODY/BUILDING, an interdisciplinary exhibit of thought, architecture and art.
Featuring the work of Erwin Eisch, Nancy Genn, Sergei Isupov, Iliya Isopov, Michael Janis, Richard Jolley, Dorothy Simpson Krause, David Dodge Lewis, Stanislav Libensky, Colin Reid, Ginny Ruffner, Joe Sanders, Holis Sigler, James Tanner and Therman Statom, BODY/BUILDING investigates radically different subject matter approached with similar sensibilities. Exploring human and architectural forms through Vitreographs (prints made from glass plates), ceramics and glass sculpture, each artist conveys structure & relationships in literal, figurative and poetic terms.
Sergei Isupov; “Monkey”
Plato opined that by defining a singular human archetype, it was possible to create environments that would be universally appealing and accessible to all. As our identities become more complex and our relationships with each other more interconnected, mankind still seeks to find a harmony where the body and space blurs.
Alternately eloquent and visceral, BODY/BUILDING offers a collection of what most fascinates us: our bodies, our buildings and our relationships. The works contained within are inclined to represent just enough so that we, the viewer, are encouraged/obliged to imagine the rest: the rest of the building, the rest of the body, but most importantly, the rest of the story.
BODY/BUILDING
September 12 – October 17, 2014; Opening Reception: September 12, 2014, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
John Littleton & Kate Vogel, “Wave” cast glass, 2013
Established in 1984 and located in Washington DC’s historic Georgetown neighborhood, the Maurine Littleton Gallery exhibits and represents the leading contemporary artists in glass, metal, and ceramic.
Opening this Thursday, July 24th, is the exhibit “Water” featuring works in glass by John Littleton & Kate Vogel, Allegra Marquart, Lu Chi, Michael Janis, and Therman Statom as well as vitreograph prints from glass plates made at Littleton Studios.
Opening reception for the exhibit is Thursday, July 24th from 6 to 8 pm.
Maurine Littleton Gallery, 1667 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20007