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| “Just Not Enough” By Dave D’Orio; scooter, found objects, glass syringes, silvered glass water jugs |
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.
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| “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”.
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| Dave D’Orio in his studio. Photo by AnythingPhotgraphic |
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| Carol Trawick with David D’Orio and Catherine Leggett. Photo courtesy Bethesda Urban Partnership |
Photos from WGS 9th Anniversary Open House
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Washington Glass School’s 9th anniversary party was a great event! Hundreds joined the artists and instructors celebrate – the event started with a parade complete with marching bands and the Mayor of Mount Rainier – Melinda Miles – greeting everyone.
The open house was lots of fun – the artists showcased their work, torchwork demos were held, with a collaborative artwork piece was made by the lampworkers during the day. 
Mayor Miles opens the parade – complete with marching bands, clowns, and politicians – (which is which?)
A view of one of the studios during open house.
Tim Tate chats up visitors to the school.
Alison Sigethy exhibits her eco-art.
David and JoAnn Pearcy set up glass jewelry. Valerie Hassett and friend viewing Kirk Waldroff’s cast glass prints.
Robert Kincheloe demos on the torch.
Jessica Beels discusses her sculpture.
The party gets into full swing- put yer hands in the air – woop! woop!
The next Washington Glass School Open House is in December – mark your calendars now!
Washington Glass School 9th Anniversary Open House
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This May marks our 9th year providing some of the highest level glass/metal/sculpture classes in the region. We will join the Gateway Arts District‘s Open Studio Tours as part of the annual Mount Rainier Day festivities. This year is the Mount Rainier, MD centennial – so this will be a big event for the area!
The Glass School anniversary and open studio is one of our favorite events, from the Mt Rainier Day parade in the morning to the huge selection of art and craft from our instructors, associates and studio artists. Please join us – and visit the surrounding incredible ceramic studios and other art studios that are also open as part of the celebration!
Music, Art, Food, Demos, FUN!
May 15th, 2010
3700 Otis Street
Mount Rainier, MD 20712
Noon -6 pm
Washington Post article
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The August 8, 2009 weekend edition of the Washington Post newspaper Real Estate section had an article on the Washington, DC suburb of Mount Rainier, MD.
Post writer Jim Brocker enthused about the area being “something special”, with the “bungalows, large lots and tree-lined streets” with mentions of the Washington Glass School as one of the arts centers located in the “artist’ haven”. Combined with a large color photo taken inside the glass school, showing Michael Janis coldworking a class project by UK artist Stephen Beardsell as proof of the specialness. 
For the article in its entirety – click Here
Glass School has its Ducks in a Row
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An odd day – working at the glass studio on Sunday – perfect day -nice & quiet. A neighbor comes to the door – asking if the ducklings under my car are mine. Sure enough, there are 5 baby ducks cowering under the car. In the middle of the decidedly un-pastoral Mount Rainier, MD. No mother duck in site. No body of water in sight – except for the open sewer run-off ditch.
We decide that we should capture the ducks and release somewhere more appropriate – along the bay. The neighbor said that she has raised ducks before, and would take care of them until they were older and could fend for themselves.
A stint of running around trying to capture the ducklings (who run much faster than you might think) and they were all rounded up. What an usual Mother’s Day at the Glass School (& how typical). 