WGS Installs Art At Prince Georges William Beanes Community Center

Installation of Suitland's William Beanes Center new public art sculpture.

Installation of Suitland’s William Beanes Center new public art sculpture.

Washington Glass Studio recently installed the site specific commission for the William Beanes Community Center in Suitland, MD. As mentioned in an earlier post, the artwork was commissioned by Prince Georges County for the new community center named for William Beanes, MD, who played a pivotal role in the history of The Star-Spangled Banner. If not for Dr. Beanes, Francis Scott Key would not have been on a ship in Baltimore’s Harbor, and he would never have written the poem which became our National Anthem. 

The original design was modified to allow for installation on the center's special exterior cladding.

The original design was modified to allow for installation on the center’s special exterior cladding.

The design by Washington Glass Studio is characterized by abstracted fireworks “Bursting In Air” to connect the National Anthem and to reference imagery inspired by Suitland’s residents and heritage, the community, its history and goals. 

Each circle medallion is internally illuminated with LED lighting.

Each circle medallion is internally illuminated with LED lighting.

The images were designed and selected by the community after a series of interactive meetings and finalized with the help of local council members.  The LED illuminated discs were mounted to a powder coated structure that was mounted to the building structure. 

The completed site specific work helps draw visitors to the new community center.

The completed artwork helps draw visitors to the new community center.

On the day, all the preplanning and preparation paid off, as installation went smoothly.
Soon, WGS will take professional photos of the finished project and we will publish them online!

Maryland’s Prince George’s County Leadership Council Tour

Maryland’s Prince George’s County Leadership Council toured the Washington Glass School as part of their meeting. Co-Director Erwin Timmers discussed with the Council ways that the public art process could integrate the community in the design and fabrication of art. The tour continued onward to next door Otis Street Arts Project.

Erwin Timmers outlines the process of involving community in the design of public art to the Leadership Council tour.

Erwin Timmers outlines the process of involving community in the design of public art to the Leadership Council tour.

Prince George's County Leadership Council discuss public art process.

Prince George’s County Leadership Council discuss the public art process and how it can be integrated into the public spaces and buildings.

Kids and Glass = FUN!

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Erwin Timmers teaches the fun part of fusing glass to the excited class.

Brentwood Arts Exchange (part of Maryland’s Prince George’s Parks and Recreation) has its summer Creative Expressions Camp where kids get to explore a variety of artistic media as well as contemporary reading and writing activities around such themes as animals, nature, and adventure. Camp instructors Randall Holloway and Michelle Dukes were able to corral a big group with a lot of assistance from one of Brentwood Art Exchange’s summer staff, Nefertiti Warren.

“May I Please Have Some More?” New WGS studio coordinator Audrey Wilson doles out frits and stringers.
The students unleash their artistic visions in glass.
Pappa Erwin demonstrates the proper glass cutting procedure.
“I’m making a fish – how ’bout you?” “I am showing how ennui is the echo within” “Really? – cool!”
The Next Generation of artists get their start.
Some of the works of art after firing – beautiful!
One was possibly inspired by pop (cap) culture!

The WashingtonGlassSchool works closely with our neighborhoods and schools – as an organization we are driven by a commitment to social and environmental purposes. WGS has based its vision using the “Social Entrepreneurial Business Model” where we seek to achieve sustainability through a broad engagement of our communities without seeking grants and where “doing good” is integral to “doing well”.

Jeremy proudly shows off his first glass artwork piece .
The camp ended with a gallery show of the students’ work.