The guys said they hit the ground running on Monday working doing demonstrations on Rubber Mold Making, Wax Casting, Plaster/Silica Mold Making, Lost wax, Dry Plaster Casting, Painting Glass, Cutting Glass, Glass etching, Flameworking.
Sean Hennessey outlines the process for Dry Plaster Casting to create bas-relief imagery.
Robert Kincheloe shows how wax components are used to create forms in the Lost Wax process.
The WGS team talked through ideas with students, help shape the directions of work, encouraged, excited, and admired all their interest and energy.
Tim Tate outlines the process for creating personal reliquaries.
The class learned new techniques and worked at making artwork from the objects made.
Penland Boardmember Glen Hardymon shows off his new glass slippers made in the lost wax process.
Some surprises for the class – a special flamework demo by
Simone Crestani.
The class techniques taught included pretty much everything except glass blowing. But since the absolutely incredible glass artistPablo Sotowas teaching a glass blowing class in the next room, he had his class make domes for the reliquary class.
Pablo Soto’s hot glass class blew the glass for the domes.
After the techniques were taught, learned, and employed, the part of the class where artists pulled it all together was explored – making the reliquaries. Stories of regret were created, stories of anger, stories of triumph, religion, lamenting the death of bees, cheering the death of squirrels, issues of money, sexuality, and hope were all created.
After the students created their works, a “Show & Tell” exhibit.
Yes, thats a real (taxidermied) squirrel with a glass hand grenade.
The class made and presented Tim with a special reliquary. The “F” inside refers to Tim’s prolific use of ‘f-bombs’ in his banter.
All in all a fantastic experiencefor all involved – we’d highly recommend taking a class there!
Penland School of Craft – the national center for craft education located in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains
Some of the Washington Glass School instructors are preparing to teach a Fall Course at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina, starting October 7, 2012.
Tim Tate will be leading a class on “The 21st Century Reliquary”, where the class will explore concepts for contemporary reliquaries – both the ideation and creation.
Robert Kincheloe will be handling the torchwork aspects for the class.
Teaching assistants Sean Hennessey and Robert Kincheloe will help the students complete the necessary technical glass components as they work.
Sean Hennessey will be helping the students make molds. The process that Sean uses to take life-casting is the same as he will be teaching in the upcoming Washington Glass School course – “Life Casting” that starts in December.
Sean Hennessey takes a casting of his hands in an alginate mold.
The mold material sets up quick and is ready for the fill material within 10 minutes.
For this casting – a demo piece for the Penland class – Sean uses concrete as the fill material.
The last time Washington Glass taught at Penland was in the 2008 Affecting Plate Glass with Tim Tate and Michael Janis. That was a fun class, and we have stayed in touch with many of the students.
2008’s Affecting Plate Glass Class @ Penland
Jennifer Lindstrom was the teaching assistant for that class and she made sure the students were kept in line.
Jennie “helps” student Joyce Knott. (Students – this image shows the importance of reading the liability waiver.)
What we do in the name of art.
Said Tim of the upcoming class – “Going to Penland is to me, like going home – I hope that we can all experiance that kind of love and growth in this course”.
The Penland 2012 auction tent as lighting lights up the sky. The central focus of the trip was built around attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction featuring the sale of over 200 craft items, and it was a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts.
Tim Tate and Sean Hennessey have just returned from taking a James Renwick Alliance (JRA) tour out to North Carolina’s Penland School of Crafts for the Annual Benefit Auction. Additionally, the “Tour with Tate” visited the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville. For this post – we will tag along with the JRA as they visit some of the artist studios.
Michael Sherrill’s incredible studio
Michael Sherrill’s ceramic artwork
Ceramist Michael Sherrill has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.
Michael Sherrill talking about his work
Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McCollCenterfor Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.
Hoss recycles objects like washing machines and cars – often crumpling them into ball shapes mounted to walls or stacked.
Christina Cordova & Pablo De Soto’s studio was visited as part of the tour. This husband and wife team operate their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself. Pablo’s beautiful glass blown vessels were loved by all and Cristina Cordova’s incredible ceramics were a highlight to the tour.
Christina Cordova talks about her recent works.
Christina Cordova’s work is awesome.
Pablo De Soto charms Fred and Susan Sanders
A trip to the Asheville Art Museum included a personal tour by curator Nancy Sokolove. Also, glass artist Alex Bernstein came to talk about his process.
Alex Bernstein talks to the JRA at the Asheville Art Museum.
Dan Essig’s wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Dan’s works incorporates so many things -fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork.
Dan Essig talks of his work
No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery currently has up work from the “Glass Secession” exhibit – that includes works by Christina Bothwell, Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Susan Taylor Glasgow and Sean Hennessey.
A view of the Blue Spiral 1 Gallery.
Stoney Lamar works in sculptural woodturning. His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, MintMuseumof Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.
Stoney shows some of the special woods that Fleur Bresler had sourced.
Stoney talked of his process to the tour.
The big show was the drama, anticipation and socializing at the Penland Auction.
Glass sculptor Beth Lipman chats with Susan and Fred Sanders
Dan Clayman with the proud owners of his Penland auction piece….Giselle and Ben Huberman
The annual Penland auction was huge success. Over 600k raised for an incredible place – a new record! Congrats to all who were involved!
I wanted to take this time to tell you a bit about an upcoming art experience I have organized on behalf of the James Renwick Alliance. Over the years, my favorite and the most enjoyable trips I ever take is to Penland School of Crafts outside of Asheville North Carolina. This area of the country is dense with amazing artists. You may know my work, but you may not know what Penland and the artists in the Asheville area have meant to my career.
I first attended a class at Penland in 1989. It was a survey casting class…the only non-blowing class I could find anywhere in the country. Without hot glass facilities in the Washington region, I wanted to focus my skills towards a different aesthetic…one that I could work with while back at home. Thus began my lifelong relationship with this spectacular school and the generous artists who surrounded it. Here is a link to an article that goes into depth on why I have such a strong commitment to this area.
A central focus of this trip will be attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction, the centerpiece of a gala weekend in the North Carolina Mountains featuring the sale of over 200 craft items. The Penland auction is one of the premier collecting events in the Southeast, and it is a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts. Additionally,we will be visiting the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville and the region. This will honestly be the best 5 day excursion you have ever taken…at least I’m gonna try to make it that way!. Here is the schedule of events:
Wednesday, August 8
We arrive in at the Inn at Little Switzerland on the Blue Ridge Parkway with spectacular views of the valley…a favorite spot for travelers in this area….either by plane or driving down, your choice. If you come by plane, you would come to Asheville, where we will arrange pick up. Our plan is to share the cars that come down, and caravan to each location. Close to both Asheville and Penland, this will be our base. Our first event will be a Wednesday evening welcome dinner and cocktails at the Inn.
Inn at Little Switzerland
Thursday, August 9th
After a quick bite at the Inn, we leave at 8:30 and head out to see the sites of Asheville and to some amazing artists studios for private tours. Most of these studios are in the surrounding area, but we will end up in the heart of the city. Here is a list of those studios:
Michael Sherrill
Ceramist Michael Sherrill received a visual arts fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council in 1992. His work is in several major collections, including the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina and the Renwick Museum. He has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.
Michael Sherrill
Stoney Lamar Lamar received his BS degree in industrial arts (wood technology) from Appalachian State University. A friend’s borrowed lathe led him away from his original goal to design and build furniture, however, to sculptural woodturning. He apprenticed with Mark and Melvin Lindquist and the year’s experience there freed him from many self-imposed restrictions and limitations of traditional lathe approaches. It opened new avenues and processes for the expression of his aesthetic.
His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, Mint Museum of Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.
Lunch that day will be at Stoneys restaurant just outside Asheville.
Stoney Lamar
Hoss Haley Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McColl Center for Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and he is represented by the New Gallery of Modern Art in Charlotte, NC. Hoss has been a resident artist at Penland School of Crafts and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Hoss Hailey
Dan Essig Frequently thought of as the pre-eminent book art maker in this country, you will not find any of Daniel Essig’s books on the shelves of a library. These wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Formerly a photographer, Essig is inspired by found objects that he comes across every day. A self-described hoarder, he will incorporate these items—fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork. His studio is located next to the Grove Point Inn, where we will peak in for a quick look at their amazing Stickley Collection.
Dan Essig
Blue Spiral Gallery No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery presents work by exceptional Southern artists and object makers in a beautifully renovated building in the heart of downtown Asheville. The light-filled, 15,000 square-foot gallery spans three floors connected by an open stairway. This spacious setting allows Blue Spiral 1 to offer considerable diversity, affording accessibility to various tastes and aesthetics.
Blue Spiral Gallery
Now, on to dinner! We are planning our meal at the spectacular Posana Restaurant in the center of Asheville. Then back to the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Posana Restaurant
Friday, August 10th Today we will stay closer to Penland, exploring several studios and then joining in the festivities surrounding the Penland auction, which begin at 3pm with auction previews.
Christina Cordova/Pablo DeSato This husband and wife team have their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself, and are 2 of the most widely known artists on this tour.
De Soto Glass Design was formed around the idea of creating and designing objects that enhance living spaces and environments. As a company we make a wide variety of work. A large portion of what we do revolves around glass blown vessels and functionally oriented works. Lighting design is quickly becoming an influential part of the sum. We also use our facilities and skills for creating glass blown objects for other designers and artists.
Cristina Cordova is a studio artist living in Penland,NC. Originally from Puerto Rico, she received her BA from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and went to earn her MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. In 2005 she concluded a three year residency at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She was the recipient of an American Craft Council Emerging Artist Grant as well as a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship Award.
Christina Cordova
Pablo Sato
Lunch this day will be on grounds at the Penland Dining Hall.
Penland Gallery No trip to Penland would ever be complete without a visit to the Penland Gallery. The Penland Gallery–featuring work by artists affiliated with Penland School of Crafts–is a stop worth adding to your trip through Western North Carolina. It is the perfect place to choose a gift, add to your craft collection, or learn about contemporary craft. You will see such artists as Marc Petrovic, Marc Peisser and yours truly, Tim Tate.
Marc Petrovic
Now its on to the auction. It begins at 3pm with the silent auction in the new state of the art facilities in the Print/Letterpress Studio. Dozens of Penland’s artists will be showing there. Then on to a lovely dinner and wine under the beautiful tent overlooking the valley on Penland’s grounds while the main Friday night auction goes on. After this, its back for a quick cocktail at the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Auction Tent under the Penland Sky
Saturday, August 11th The morning begins with coffee and breakfast at The Barns at Penland, where we will be treated to a show by the resident artists here at Penland. Always a highlight and much fun. from the we attend a show given by the Core Students where we will see the work of tomorrows most promising artists. On to the Saturday silent auction and artist chats….then on to the main festivities of the luncheon and live auction. This will definitely be the highlight of the weekend!
Resident Artist Barns at Penland
2 major works will be the big spotlight! One by Beth Lipman, one by Dan Clayman….both stunning!
Beth Lipman
Dan Clayman
After the auction we will head back to the Inn at Little Switzerland, where we will have time to freshen up before a lovely farewell cocktail and dinner party where you will be able to swap stories with the new friends you made on this spectacular trip!
Sunday, August 11th travel day…..those that need a ride to the airport, we will arrange it.
Please give me this opportunity to show you why I hold this area of the country in such high esteem. I guarantee it will be a stupendous trip.
To reserve a space for this trip, its first come and space is limited. Contact Cecie at the James Renwick Alliance at admin@jra.org or call to 301- 907-3888
Tim Tate Co-Director Washington Glass School 3700 Otis St. Mt. Rainier, Md. 20712 WashGlass.com
View of Penland Auction tent. Photo by Sean Hennessey.
Penland School of Craftsheld its 26th Annual Benefit Auction this past week. The gala weekend in the North Carolina mountains featuring the sale of more than 230 works in books, clay, drawing, glass, iron, letterpress, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. The auction is one of the most important craft collecting events in the Southeast and helps support Penland’s educational programs, which have helped thousands of people to live creative lives.
Artists, Museum Directors and Curators, Collectors, and Art Aficionados were in attendance during the weekend.
Under the tent, the auctions are preceded with cocktails and dinner.
Collectors had a chance to look thru the Penland catalog at amazing works.
This summer’s Penland Auction made a record amount of over $600,000 raised with over 550 people attending, not to mention a hundred local volunteers!
One of the highest bid pieces was Tim Tate’s “Four Seasons”….a cast glass and video series sculpture, tying the record amount for a non-commissioned with, set by Penland’s favorite potter, Cynthia Bringle.
Tim Tate’s “Four Seasons”
Showcasing the artwork during the auction.
Tim’s work on the auction screen.
Want to see a vid of the actual record-tying auction? Click on image below to watch the auction of Tim’s artwork.
>The 26th Penland School of CraftsBenefit Auction takes place August 12-13, 2011. This gala weekend in the North Carolina mountains featuring the sale of more than 200 works in books, clay, drawing, glass, iron, letterpress, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, and wood. The Penland auction is one of the most important craft collecting events in the Southeast and a perfect opportunity to support Penland’s educational programs, which have helped thousands of people to live creative lives. Work by WGS Director Tim Tate is featured in the auction – and one of the works is previewed below.
Focus on Materials: Glass in This Year’s Auction
Glass is an wonderfully versatile material that has a long been a part of functional craft and decorative art and, in the past half-century, has become increasingly important as a sculptural material. Although glass is rigid and unyielding, it is worked as a liquid or a semi-solid, making it receptive to almost any form. It can be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and it can be made virtually any color. Naturally shiny, it can be sandblasted or acid etched to produce a matte or frosted surface. Glass can be manipulated directly with tools or well-insulated hands; it can be poured, blown, or melted into molds; it can be shaped after being selectively heated over a torch. It is a material capable of seducing both the maker and the viewer.
Tim TateFour Seasons Blown and cast glass, electronic components, original video 18 x 36 x 8 in. For some years, Tim Tate has been developing a unique sculptural form that combines intricate glass castings and continuous video loops (displayed on tiny monitors) enclosed in glass bell jars to create what he calls “electronic reliquaries.” Through these pieces Tim has explored social issues, autobiography, cultural artifacts, and his observations of life. In this suite, he has created gentle evocations of each of the four seasons. “The piece works as a crossover between 20th and 21st century aesthetics,” he says. “The lost-wax casting is very intricate and complex, using hundreds of individually cast components. This is contrasted by the very direct and compelling video selections.”
The famed Penland School of Craftin NC is seeking a Glass Studio Coordinator. Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 15 teaching studios and 50 historic and contemporary buildings. Penland School of Crafts is an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 63. Penland operates with a $5.2 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $4.2 million. Penland School of Crafts is an equal opportunity employer.
The Glass Studio Coordinator is responsible for keeping two studios in good working order and preparing for each class or activity scheduled in the space. Through a helpful and welcoming presence the Coordinator sets the tone for all classes by successfully communicating with instructors and studio assistants to insure the smooth operations of class supply ordering, studio setup, studio safety and general operations of the studio. Adaptability, analysis, attention to detail, collaboration, personal impact, dependability, safety awareness, organizational sensitivity and teamwork are characteristics central to this position. This is a technical, administrative, and services-oriented position. The Glass Studio coordinator reports directly to the Studio Manager. This is a full-time, benefits eligible, year-round, hourly position.
To Apply The position will remain open until filled, however the initial review of applications will consist of applications received by May 7, 2010. Send resume and cover letter addressing relevant experience and interest in the position, personal contact information and email contact information for at least 3 references to Simone Travisano, Studio Manager, Penland School of Crafts, PO Box 37, Penland, NC 28765 or simonetravisano@penland.org
