National Symphony Orchestra Plays At Artist Studios

This March, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) will collaborate with different communities in Washington, DC’s Ward 5 and Mount Rainier, MD as a way to build new connections and relationships with the neighborhoods, local schools, museums, and arts organizations.

NSO In Your Neighborhood

The NSO String Quartet performs at Artists by the Tracks Compound, Monday, March 13th, 2023.

“Edge of the City”

March 7–13, 2023

Brentwood | Brookland | Eckington | Fort Lincoln | Woodridge | Trinidad | University Heights | Mount Rainier, MD

Tim Tate’s sculpture is part of the backdrop of the performance.

Events are open to the public with first-come, first-served seating, unless otherwise noted. For more information, times and performance venues- click here: NSO In Your Neighborhood “Edge of the City”

The Mt Rainier performance was packed!

On Monday, March 13th, the NSO String Quartet played at the Arts Compound in Mt Rainier, MD. Some pix from the fun night!

DMV artists celebrate the NSO performance at the reception that followed the intimate performance. L-R Mary Early, David Mordini, Laurel Lukaszewski, Michael Janis.

PBS TV Show “If You Lived Here” @ Washington Glass School

If You Lived Here episode 11

DC’s PBS Station – WETA /via Leapfrog Productions – filmed an episode of their popular TV show “If You Lived Here” in Mount Rainier, MD. The episode, which airs Monday, March 20th at 9 pm, focuses on houses in Mt Rainier, and what makes the area noteworthy, for this area, the art spaces and artists were the focus. Filming took place at Washington Glass School and some additional footage included the James Renwick Alliance Block Party held in September.

Glass artist Michael Janis talks to WETA TV crew at the Washington Glass School.
WGS Co-Director Michael Janis outlines the importance of arts in the community.
Leapfrog Productions video crew finds interesting angles to cover for the show.
WGS Contemporary art gallery
Views of the Washington Glass School (WGS Contemporary) Gallery.


Viewing information:
Season 3 – Episode 11: Mt. Rainier, MD
weta.org/ifyoulivedhere
Monday, March 20th at 9 pm on WETA PBS (Channel 26 in the DMV). Monday, March 20th at 8 pm on WETA Metro: weta.org/watch/metro/livestream
Full episode at weta.org/watch/shows/if-you-lived-here

Happy Holidays from Washington Glass School and Studio

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.

Artworks Selected for Mt Rainier Public Arts Banner Project

Image of Michael Janis’ work as proposed to Mount Rainier Council

During the November Legislative Meeting, Mount Rainier Mayor Celina Benitez and Councilmembers unanimously voted on the artworks presented by the Mt Rainier Arts Commission at the November Legislative Meeting. The Lamp Post Display Art Project was launched by the Commission to showcase the talent of Mt Rainier-based artists while invigorating the City’s downtown.

15 artworks were carefully selected based on a set of criteria. The pieces will be displayed on banners that will hang on the City’s lamp post for two years. Mayor and Council commended the Commissioners for spearheading the project and selecting pieces representative of the City’s diversity, culture and people. Part of the Gateway Arts District, Mount Rainier is home to over 150 art studios that contribute to the enrichment of the community. Congrats to our Michael Janis – and we look forward to seeing the banners installed!

May 14th Open Studios- Save the Date!

Save The Date! May 14th is the proposed date for Washington Glass School Open Studio Tour! Many of the surrounding art studios and galleries will be participating! We will follow health protocols – and it will be great to see all in real life! Come and see what’s new and what has been shaking at the studio!

Get Mom Something Glassy for Mother’s Day! (@ Washington Glass School Open Studio May 13th)

If you plan on spoiling Mom on Mother’s Day -whether she likes it or not, here are some gift ideas that will appeal to her. (Remember: Glass is always the Perfect Gift).mom.wants.glass

Come to the Gateway Arts District Open Studios on Saturday, May 13th from noon til 5 pm and interact with the artists, see their work, and explore their studios, during this annual event. Even better – bring Mom with you and make a day of it! Treat mom to some creative items that she’ll love. (Just be prepared to explain the artwork’s meaning, because — moms.)

The Washington Glass School will be celebrating our sweet 16th birthday this year – be sure to stop by and see works by the artists and instructors. Washington Glass School artists –  with work as diverse as their backgrounds – work together because their unique visions have helped build a new direction for glass sculpture.

Tim Tate

Tim Tate’s work was featured at Art Miami.

Michael Janis

Michael Janis received the DC Mayor’s Arts Award 2016.

Erwin Timmers' sculpture was part of a recent international exhibit.

Erwin Timmers’ sculpture was part of a recent international exhibit.

Trish Kent's glass was singled out as "most engaging" by Washington Post critic Mark Jenkins.

Trish Kent’s glass was singled out as “most engaging” by Washington Post critic Mark Jenkins.

Veta Carney's Pâte de verre sculpture charms everyone.

Veta Carney’s Pâte de verre sculptures charm everyone.

Supa-star Audrey Wilson knows what Mom likes.

Supa-star Audrey Wilson knows what Mom likes.

Chip Montague has been busy!

Chip Montague has been busy!

gateway.arts.open.studio.washington.glass.school.dc

2017 GATEWAY OPEN STUDIO TOUR
Saturday, May 13, 2017, 12-5pm
After Party, 5-8pm 39th Street Gallery & Brentwood Arts Exchange at the Gateway Arts Center

Screen Shot 2017-05-08 at 3.07.21 PM

Get Ready For Spring Gateway Open Studio!

2017 GATEWAY OPEN STUDIO TOUROST_Flyer_Orange-1

Saturday, May 13, 2017, 12-5pm

​Welcome to the DMV region’s largest-of-its-kind arts celebration and festival—Gateway Open Studios Tour. Come to the Washington Glass School and see what the artists and instructors have been working on!

Come to the Spring 2017 Gateway Open Studio where you’ll have behind-the-scenes access to studios, galleries, cultural centers, and performance spaces throughout the Gateway Arts District in Prince George’s County! Besides the Washington Glass School – other studios will be open, including Otis Street Arts Projects, White Point Studio, Jackson Jarvis Studios, Orange Door Studios, as well as the studios of Alonzo Davis, Robert Devers, Alec Simpson and more! 2017 marks Washington Glass School’s 16th birthday – and there will be lots to see!

timmers brain

Erwin Timmers cast recycled glass sculpture 2017. Photo by Pete Duvall

 

Coming Soon – Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour!

Mark it down! On May 11, 2013, from Noon til 5:00 pm, make plans to spend some time at the Washington Glass School.

Gateway Arts District  presents its 9th Annual Open Studio Tours  – one of the best events in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area!

This event showcases the many professional artists representing nearly every visual arts medium. You’ll have access to art galleries, studios, cultural centers and performing spaces throughout the Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District (a vibrant cultural scene spanning Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood and Hyattsville).

Gateway Arts District starts along the Eastern Ave border to DC.

The event is free and open to the public. Close to 140 individual artists will participate to make an exceptional event.Come to the Washington Glass School in the part of Gateway known as “Artists on the Tracks” and see the works of the Glass School artists and next door Flux and Red Dirt Studios.

This year’s tour features a guided shuttle bus tour of select studios, live performances at Joe’s Movement Emporium, and an exhibition opening at the 39th Street Gallery. 

Washington Glass School

Open Studio

Saturday, May 11, 2013

3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712

Washington Glass School Open Studio / Holiday Sale

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Come out of the cold to where its warm (glass)!

The Washington Glass School invites you to our Holiday Open House, Saturday, December 15th, 2012, opening around Noon, through 5:00pm on Saturday. 

Works by superstar artist Tim Tate will be available.

The artists and instructors of the glass school will be exhibiting artworks. From the small child to the serious art collector, the Washington Glass School Holiday Open House has something for everyone’s taste.

Beautiful works by Syl Mathis will be on exhibit and for sale!
Get yourself a Sean Hennessey – his work is hot, hot, hot!
Metal artist Chris Shea will be there with his stunning forged iron work.

We invite the community to and experience a unique DC area arts venue. Adjacent studios – Red Dirt and Flux Studios will also be open – a great chance to see whats going on in the Gateway Arts District!

Check out Nancy Donnelly‘s colorful artwork.

Also – this might be your last chance to get glass before the end of the Mayan Calendar. – the perfect gift since “Glass is Forever”.

Holiday Open House & Sale
Saturday, December 15, 2012, from Noon til 5 pm.
Washington Glass School
3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712

Trawick Prize Winners Announced

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“Just Not Enough” By Dave D’Orio; scooter, found objects, glass syringes, silvered glass water jugs
Bethesda Contemporary Art’s Trawick Prize is a visual art prize produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District that honors artists from Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia. The annual juried competition awards $14,000 in prize money to selected artists and features the work of the finalists in a group exhibition. The 2012 exhibition is at Gallery B, located at 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD, and it runs through Sept 29th.  The public opening reception will be held Friday, Sept 14 from 6-9 pm in conjunction with the Bethesda Art Walk.

Baltimore artist Lillian Bayley Hoover was awarded “Best in Show” on Wednesday, Sept 5 at a special reception that named the winners of the Trawick Prize. Hooverwon $10,000 for her oil painting based on a photograph of a scale model Pergamon Altar in the ancient Greek city of Pergamon, in modern day Turkey.

“Feeder 301” By Dave D’Orio Artwork photos by AnythingPhotographic

Mount Rainier artist Dave D’Orio won second place for his mixed media glass sculptures. David frequently uses found objects, blown glass and industrial materials to crate symbolic imagery. He uses duplication, repetition, and an emphasis on material to evoke the feeling of factory mass-produced objects and of hyper technology. Dave’s imagery is a mix of the metaphoric, absurd and ironic and possesses an enviable ability to attract and repel the viewer. Dave does not explain every element in his sculpture – he says he likes viewers to draw their own conclusions about the “possible purpose and unstated problem the artwork would address“.

When asked about what receiving the Trawick Prize means to him, Dave said  ” My work can be seen as “challenging” and its not what most people think of as beautiful – its really great to have my work seen in this prestigious setting; to also have it awarded is incredible”.

 

Dave D’Orio in his studio. Photo by AnythingPhotgraphic
David is the executive director of DC GlassWorks, a glass blowing facility in Hyattsville, MD. His work has been shown at Artomatic in Crystal City, the Marlboro Gallery of Prince George’s Community College and last year was part of the Arlington Arts Center Solos. At this past Artomatic, the James Renwick Alliance gave Dave’s installation sculpture its ‘Award of Recognition’.

The 2012 Trawick Finalists included:

Lillian Bayley Hoover, Baltimore, MD; David D’Orio, Mt. Rainier, MD; Dean Kessmann, Washington, D.C.; Hannah Walsh, Richmond, VA; Skye Gilkerson, Baltimore, MD; Nate Larson, Baltimore, MD; Joshua Wade Smith, Baltimore, MD; Diane Szczepaniak, Potomac, MD

Congratulations to the 2012 Winners!

1st Place, $10,000 – Lillian Bayley Hoover, Baltimore, MD

2nd  Place, $2,000 – David D’Orio, Mt. Rainier, MD

3rd  Place, $1,000 – Dean Kessmann, Washington, D.C.

Young Artist Award, $1,000 – Hannah Walsh, Richmond, VA

Carol Trawick with David D’Orio and Catherine Leggett. Photo courtesy Bethesda Urban Partnership
The 2012 Trawick Prize jury included Dawn Gavin, Associate Professor in Drawing and Foundations at the University of Maryland, College Park; B. Kelly Gordon, Associate Curator at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.; and N. Elizabeth Schlatter, Deputy Director and Curator of Exhibitions at the University of Richmond Museums, Virginia.