michael janis | Washington Glass Studio

Washington Glass School Goes All SOFA Chicago

Posted on October 16, 2015 by admin |

Every fall Chicago, IL hosts the critically acclaimed Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Expo, more commonly known as SOFA. SOFA Chicago 2015 will be held November 6 – 8, 2015 at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, where masterworks from top international galleries and dealers from numerous countries will exhibit. An opening night preview will be held Thursday, November 5. On par with Art Basel and TEFAF Maastricht, the critically acclaimed art fair has been continuously run every year since 1994. What distinguishes SOFA from other top art events is its focus on three-dimensional artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art and design. SOFA is noted for its exceptional presentation of artwork by international galleries and it is enhanced by the many talks to attend in the Lecture Series given by award-wining designers and artists.

This year, a number of Washington Glass School artists will be featured at the art fair, and the artists are bringing new works that have taken them in new directions. Tim Tate will be giving a “Booth Talk” at Habatat Galleries (space #1400) on Saturday, Nov 7 @ 1:00 pm. Just after that talk, at 2:00 pm, Sean Hennessey and Michael Janis will be featured at the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG) Ice Cream Social on the terrace at Navy Pier.

Allegra Marquart, "The Princess and the Pea", 2015, Cast glass shapes wall mounted over a sewn panel, 14"x 28"

Allegra Marquart, “The Princess and the Pea”, Cast glass shapes wall mounted over a sewn panel, 14″x 28″ photo: Pete Duvall

Allegra Marquart (Maurine Littleton Gallery, Space #821) has mixed her cast glass with textile, exploring the new possibilities for color, texture and especially line. Allegra has been stitching connections that create open, delicate looking backgrounds that complements and comments on the bolder glass shapes which are mounted slightly in front. The glass and the threads compliment concepts of fragility and ambiguity.

Sean Hennessey, clockwise from top left: “The Doors that May Open”, “The Relentless Path Upward”, “The Gift of Time”, “From Mud and Soap”, cast glass, imagery, steel, LED; 24″ x 36

Sean Hennessey (Habatat Galleries, Space #1400) will be presenting works that take him in a new direction, both in terms of the brightness of the colors and in the use of a separate panel that incorporates photographed and drawn imagery, telling a slightly different side of the story from the larger panel.

Audrey Wilson (Alida Anderson Art Projects, Space #402) makes her debut at the art fair. Her new mixed media works explore alternate and extraordinary realms.

Audrey Wilson, ” Luminiferous Aether Electrode”, Cast glass, electronics, found objects, photo Pete Duvall

Michael Janis (Maurine Littleton Gallery, Space #821) explores concepts of identity with his frit powder (sgraffito) drawings with cast glass elements. New this year are his ceramic and glass sculptures.

Michael Janis, “Regeneration”, cast glass, ceramic, 14” x 16” x 12” photo: Pete Duvall

Tim Tate (Habatat Galleries, Space #1400) is showing his new illuminated pieces, his infinity series. Tim entices the viewer to look deeply into his created environments, create an optical and physical illusion of infinity through apparent limitless space. There is an intimacy created by viewing deeply into a circular opening, as if peering through a portal to another reality.

Tim Tate, “Violet Tattoo Infinity”, Cast Poly-Vitro, Glass, Lighting; photo: Pete Duvall

SOFA Chicago November 5-8, 2015

NAVY PIER
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Chicago SOFA Floor Plan 2015

Posted in "maurine littleton", Alida Anderson Art Project, Allegra Marquart, audrey wilson, chicago, habatat galleries, littleton gallery, michael janis, mike janis, sean hennessey, sofa chicago, Tim Tate, アメリカのガラス芸術, 玻璃艺术

Janis & Tate @ Catholic University Architecture Department? Fab!

Posted on September 25, 2015 by admin |

Washington Glass School’s Professor Michael Janis and Professor Tim Tate will present a lecture on glass art and architecture to students and faculty of Catholic University’s School for Architecture and Planning (CUArch) at the Crough Center for Architectural Studies as part of the Fall 2015 Fab Lab Lecture series.

: Catholic University Architecture Department presents Michael Janis and Tim Tate

We have just 3 things to say about this:

Fab.

Lous!

Posted in architectural application glass, architecture, michael janis, mike janis, Tim Tate | Tagged architecure and planning, catholic university, crough center, cuarch, fab lab

Pittsburgh’s SCC’s “Mindful” Exhibit: Exploring Mental Health through Art

Posted on August 3, 2015 by admin |

Michael Janis; “Echoes” detail; fused glass, glass powder imagery; 2015. photo by AnythingPhotographic

To raise awareness and increase understanding of mental illness, The Society for Contemporary Craft (SCC) located in Pittsburgh, PA, will be mounting a “socially engaged art experience” opening September 18th through March 12, 2016.

The traveling exhibition titled Mindful: Exploring Mental Health through Art is designed to break down societal stigmas and offers an opportunity to encounter and understand mental health through the lens of contemporary craft. Featuring more than 40 works created by 14 contemporary artists in the project’s main exhibition, and WGS artist Michael Janis’ glass artwork will be highlighted.

One in four adults lives with a mental health condition, yet this common illness often remains hidden behind a wall of secrecy and isolation.

Presenting contemporary art in craft media by international, national and regional artists since 1971, the Society for Contemporary Craft offers cutting edge exhibitions focused on multicultural diversity and non-mainstream art. The SCC remains one of the nation’s only non-profit institutions focused on contemporary craft..

Learn more about the Mindful project by visiting the SCC website for the exhibit: www.exploremindfulart.com

The Society of Contemporary Craft

Mindful: Exploring Mental Health through Art

2100 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

For more info:

info@contemporarycraft.org

or call 412.261.7003.

Posted in contemporary craft, craft, michael janis, mike janis, scc, society for contemporary craft, 美国新艺术雕塑, 美国玻璃艺术家 | Tagged art, mental health

Penland School of Craft Auction Features Michael Janis’ “Flying In Place”

Posted on July 15, 2015 by admin |

Michael Janis, “Flying in Place”, fused glass powder imagery, steel, silver, 24″ x 7″

With less than one month to go until the 2015 Penland Benefit Auction, Penland, the national center for craft education located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains featured Washington Glass School co-director Michael Janis and his artwork “Flying in Place”. Below, Michael Rogers, Professor of Imaging Arts and Sciences at Rochester Institute of Technology, describes Michael’s work and his process. “Flying in Place” and many other works of glass will be up for bidding at the 30th anniversary of the Penland Benefit Auction this summer. You can now view all of these works online in the 2015 auction catalog.

“Michael Janis is an exceptional visual artist, an innovator, and a master of the technique of fusing with glass powder-essentially ‘painting with glass on glass.’ It takes years of trial and error for an artist to achieve fluency in an area of artistic endeavor where one must charter unknown territory to make discoveries unique to themselves. Through skill, vision, tenacity, and dedication, Michael has created a strong and clear voice with the material that is truly his own. Certainly painters would envy Michael’s ability to orchestrate translucency, opacity, and transparency in tandem with chromatic diversity to achieve depth in the two-dimensional plane. However, Michael is much more than technically adept.

Michael Janis, “Flying in Place”,glass, glass powder imagery, silver, steel, 24″dia x 7″ The frit powder imagery is presented as distorted in the front-on viewing, and the distorted image is viewed un-distorted in the reflection of the silvered glass cylinder.

“After all, Michael is a storyteller, an artist who draws simultaneously upon the past, present, and future to develop the content of his work. Through memory, awareness, and intuitiveness, one could say Michael evokes meaning in his work. With Flying in Place, we are presented with a stunningly beautiful and fascinating piece of poetic narrative. Metaphorically rich in associations, this work preserves its mystery while engaging the viewer’s curiosity. In the end, Michael’s intense ability with material and technique allows him to transcend these aspects of making to communicate his intention directly. Michael’s genius is in suspending reality and creating an illusion one can get lost in. In this way, he captivates the viewer.

“When I see this work by Michael Janis I think that here is a mature artist, an artist at the top of his game.” – Michael Rogers

Please join the Penland Benefit Auction on August 7 and 8, 2015.

Join Penland’s event page to stay up to date on the latest auction news and stories.

Absentee bidders can register by clicking this link. For reservations, please contact Jackie Head at 828-765-2359 x 112 or auction@penland.org.

For more information about the 2015 Annual Benefit Auction, click here to visit Penland’s auction website or call 828-765-2359 x 112.

Posted in michael janis, michael rogers, mike janis, penland auction, penland school of craft, scraffito, sgraffito technique, sgraffitto, sgrafitto, 玻璃艺术

DC is the District of Creativity

Posted on June 3, 2015 by admin |

The arts and culture are the hallmark of any great city. The Washington, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) has granted over $7.4 million in FY 2014 to local organizations and individuals as well as provided numerous professional opportunities, educational enrichment, and other services to those serving the creative sector. The DCCAH aids the grantees in their efforts to elevate their work and, thus, the District of Columbia.

District of Creativity: A Year in the Arts and Humanities is a celebration for and by local artists and organizations. Performances and remarks will review and highlight the accomplishments of those arts and humanities organizations and individuals funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in FY 2014.

Presentations and Performances By:
• Step Afrika
• Michael Janis
• Shawn Short for Dissonance Dance Theatre/Ngoma Center for Dance
• Dance Place
• Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc.
• Young Playwrights’ Theater
• The Dance Institute of Washington
• Capital Fringe
• Washington Youth Choir

and others!

Following the production, the DCCAH will be hosting a Networking Social at Lost Society for DCCAH grantees and local funder, philanthropies, and DC VIPs.

District of Creativity: The Arts and Humanities in 2014

Kindly RSVP here.

Event Details

Date: Monday, June 8, 2015

Time: 7 pm – 8 pm

Location: The Historic Lincoln Theatre

1215 U Street, NW

Washington, DC 20009

#DistrictofCreativity

Posted in DCCAH, District of Columbia, fellowship, michael janis | Tagged afp

Maryland Public Televison Special Episode of ARTWORKS

Posted on December 16, 2014 by admin |

Maryland Public Television, which is commonly known by its initials “MPT”, is a member of the Public Broadcasting Service. Maryland Public Television has launched the third season of its weekly arts series “Artworks”. The show features profiles of artists from across the country working in all creative categories: musicians, performers, visual artists, writers, designers, artisans – and experimental others who defy definition. Each program gives viewers insider access to outstanding artists they might never see otherwise.

Airing on Thursday, December 18th, at 8:30pm (EST), this week’s episode features artwork by Washington Glass School’s Michael Janis in its “Pop Ups” segment. Plan a night in on Thursday parked in front of the telly! (or set your recorder/DVR/TiVo’s!)

PBS’ MPT show Artworks features Michael Janis in this week’s episode.

Posted in maryland public television, michael janis, MPT, PBS

Washington Glass School At S.O.F.A. Chicago 2014

Posted on October 28, 2014 by admin |

navy.pier.sofa

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", 2014, cast glass, enamel OA dimensions 48" L x 24" H.

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.

tate.healing.polyopticon.contemporary_modern_glass.sculpture.installation

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.wall_installation.cast_glass

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 for SOFA Selects – where highlighted 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!

Posted in Allegra Marquart, american glass, contemporary art glass, contemporary artwork, contemporary craft, content driven glass, habatat galleries, maurine littleton gallery, michael janis, mike janis, sean hennessey, sofa chicago, Tim Tate

SOFA Chicago In Sight!

Posted on September 17, 2014 by admin |

The world-renowned art fair dedicated to Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art & Design (SOFA) returns to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. Many artists are working on the last bits of work to be shown at the exhibit that runs from November 7-9 2014, with a preview on the evening of November 6, 2014.

Celebrating its 21st year, SOFA CHICAGO is the longest continuously running, gallery-presented art fair in the city of Chicago, and one of the most successful in the country. Last year’s fair attracted 34,000 attendees from around the globe.

A number of Washington Glass School artists and alum will be shown at the art fair – Tim Tate will be at Habatat Galleries space, Allegra Marquart and Michael Janis will be showing at Maurine Littleton Gallery‘s space, and alum Jeff Zimmer will be one of Craft Scotland‘s collection that was designed to give audiences in Chicago the opportunity to see and buy some of the finest examples of ceramics, glass, wood, textiles, silver and jewelry being produced in Scotland today. Click on image below to see Craft Scotland’s video about their artists and works being showcased at this year’s fair.

Glass artist Jeff Zimmer describes his work being featured at Craft Scotland exhibit during SOFA Chicago 2014

Posted in Allegra Marquart, art fair, michael janis, navy pier, sofa chicago, Tim Tate

Smithsonian American Art Museum Features Michael Janis

Posted on May 6, 2014 by admin |

Smithsonian Distinguished Artist Michael Janis

Michael Janis at the Smithsonian Museum. Photo by Miriam Rosenthal.

a.3.rosenthal.glass.scraffito_class.washington.janis.mike.art.new

Washington Glass School sgraffito workshop. Photo by Miriam Rosenthal.

The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) is an independent national non-profit organization that celebrates the achievements of America’s craft artists and fosters scholarship, education and public appreciation of craft art. The JRA is the exclusive support group of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the U.S. national showcase of contemporary American craft. Washington Glass School Co-Director Michael Janis was named “Distinguished Artist” by the JRA. The weekend’s events included a sgraffito glass workshop with Michael held at the Washington Glass School and Michael Janis presented at the Smithsonian Museum’s Turner Auditorium outlining his career, process, and artwork. The talk at the museum was broadcast live and the Smithsonian staff promised that it would be available online soon. The final event was the JRA hosted dinner on Sunday evening – it was a very busy exciting weekend for the Washington Glass School!

Congratulations to Michael – well done and well deserved!

Posted in DC, distinguished artist, fused glass, glass, glass architecture., glass art, glass frit powder imagery, kiln fused glass, michael janis, mies, mike janis, smithsonian, smithsonian american art museum, Uncategorized | Tagged american craft, contemporary glass, modern glass art

Michael Janis @ Smithsonian American Art Museum

Posted on May 1, 2014 by admin |

american.art.museum.smithsonian_michael_janis.glass.contemporary.craft

Smithsonian’s American Art Museum McEvoy Auditorium will feature Michael Janis starting at 2pm Sunday, May 4th.

Michael Janis was recently featured in American Craft Magazine as “one of a select number of artists in the world creating sgraffito glass art.” The Creative Glass Center of America dubbed him a “Rising
Star of the 21st Century.” His mastery of this difficult technique shows itself in the dreamlike images which he creates by “drawing” with frit powders upon glass which is then fused into painterly panels of
subtle depth and luminosity. This architect-turned-glass-art-star will be made a James Renwick Alliance Distinguished Artist on the weekend of May 3-4. On Sunday, Michael Janis will present a slide lecture on his work and career at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Janis is a Fulbright Scholar and has taught at the UK’s National Glass Centre at Sunderland University. His work is included in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and numerous private collections. He will be teaching at Penland School of Craft in August.

Posted in glass, imagery in glass, JRA, kiln-formed glass, michael janis, mike janis, Post studio glass, smithsonian, smithsonian american art museum, studio art glass, washington glass school

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