Stephen Beardsell; cast glass, 14″ x 14″ x 1.5″, 2009
In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
Stephen Beardsell describing his process of reverse imagery glass casting to workshop audience at the Washington Glass School, June 2009.
Two internationally recognized glass artists have come to the Washington Glass School for an artist residency. Criss Chaney and Robyn Townsend are both UK-based glass artists that work from Sunderland’s Creative Cohesion art studio. During the International Glass And Clay exhibit in March of 2013, Robyn and Criss presented a workshop on glass inclusions at the Washington Glass School.
2013 workshop led by artists Robyn Townsend and Criss Chaney (center) outline their process of inclusions into fused glass.
Robyn Townsend said that she looks forward to the opportunity to “explore new directions” in glass art in her return to Washington, DC. If you are in the area – make sure that you stop in and welcome the artists back to DC!
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| International Glass & Clay exhibit in Washington, DC, March 2013 |
This year, Sister City art organizations enabled Washington, DC to host an exhibit of glass and clay artwork by US and UK artists during the month of March. The Washington Glass School – one of the partners in the exhibition – has had a history of working with artists from Washington, DC’s Sister City of Sunderland, England, which is President George Washington’s ancestral home.
The International Glass & Clay exhibit that was originally held here in DC in March of 2013 has moved on – and over the pond – landing in the UK, with the exhibition opening at the Sunderland Museum, in Sunderland, England. Currently, the main show at the museum is an exhibit of tapestries by noted English artist Grayson Perry, titled “In The Vanity of Small Differences“.
Exhibiting at two venues in the City of Sunderland, the exhibit again integrates and mixes works by artists from both cities from August 22nd – September 29th 2013. DC artists exhibiting: Sean Hennessey, Jeff Herrity, Michael Janis, Tamara Laird, Laurel Lukaszewski, Tim Tate, Novie Trump. UK artists exhibiting: Stephen Beardsell, Criss Chaney, James Maskrey, Brian Thompson, Robyn Townsend, Margareth Troli, Roger Tye, Phil Vickery and Philippa Whiteside.
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| Novie Trump’s ceramic installation looks incredible. |
If you find yourself in England’s beautiful North East, wandering along the River Wear – do pop into the Museum. Oh, and stop by the National Glass Center for a spot of Prince Rupert’s Drop!
International Glass & Clay
August 22 – September 29, 2013
Sunderland Museum and Creative Cohesion
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The UK’s National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland reopens its doors this weekend (June 29/30 2013) following an ambitious £2.3m ($3.5 USD) redevelopment program.
The Centre is one of the UK’s leading institutions for contemporary glass, celebrating Sunderland’s unique glass-making heritage, presenting a rich temporary exhibition program and facilitating international level research in new approaches to glass and ceramics. This ambitious redevelopment project will allow National Glass Centre to fulfill its potential as a cultural and education venue.
The Glass Centre houses the University of Sunderland’s Glass and Ceramics Department, the International Institute of Research in Glass and the Ceramic Arts Research Centre at the University of Sunderland. The Research Gallery space will allow the Centre to showcase some of its groundbreaking work in research carried out by its students, academics and visiting artists.
The redevelopment sees a complete overhaul of the Centre’s exhibition spaces and will allow the Centre to present work by the highest caliber artists and to work in partnership with international museums and galleries. The Centre will host three major exhibitions annually and up to 15 smaller scale exhibitions in the new gallery spaces, we will also have a ‘rotating museum’ which will present a selection of high profile glass and ceramics collections on a yearly basis.
Director of the National Glass Centre, James Bustard, said: “Our vision is to be a Centre of national excellence supporting the research, teaching, production and exhibition of contemporary glass – a Centre valued by the local community in Sunderland and whose reputation across the (UK) North East region as well as nationally and internationally.”
Professor Peter Fidler, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, said: “National Glass Centre is such an important cultural venue for Sunderland and the wider North East region. That is why we took over the running of the Centre in 2010 and put forward a vision that would make it a venue with national significance.”
“We have been supported with this vision by a range of people and organizations. The redevelopment reinforces the Centre’s reputation for excellence and enables us to play a major role in the growing cultural landscape of Sunderland.”
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| Tim Tate and Michael Janis at the UK’s National Glass Centre |
Last year, Washington Glass School’s Tim Tate and Michael Janis completed their Fulbright Scholar assignment at the University of Sunderland and taught at the National Glass Centre. Click HERE to jump to the University of Sunderland news article.
All of us here at the Washington Glass School are excited to see the ambitious redevelopement and wish it great success as it enters into a new era! We all agree – Glass Is More!
The redevelopment sees a complete overhaul of the Centre’s exhibition spaces and will allow the Centre to present work by the highest caliber artists and to work in partnership with international museums and galleries. The Centre will host three major exhibitions annually and up to 15 smaller scale exhibitions in the new gallery spaces, we will also have a ‘rotating museum’ which will present a selection of high profile glass and ceramics collections on a yearly basis.
Director of the National Glass Centre, James Bustard, said: “Our vision is to be a Centre of national excellence supporting the research, teaching, production and exhibition of contemporary glass – a Centre valued by the local community in Sunderland and whose reputation across the (UK) North East region as well as nationally and internationally.”
Professor Peter Fidler, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, said: “National Glass Centre is such an important cultural venue for Sunderland and the wider North East region. That is why we took over the running of the Centre in 2010 and put forward a vision that would make it a venue with national significance.”
“We have been supported with this vision by a range of people and organizations. The redevelopment reinforces the Centre’s reputation for excellence and enables us to play a major role in the growing cultural landscape of Sunderland.”
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| Tim Tate and Michael Janis at the UK’s National Glass Centre |
Last year, Washington Glass School’s Tim Tate and Michael Janis completed their Fulbright Scholar assignment at the University of Sunderland and taught at the National Glass Centre. Click HERE to jump to the University of Sunderland news article.
All of us here at the Washington Glass School are excited to see the ambitious redevelopement and wish it great success as it enters into a new era! We all agree – Glass Is More!
The opening reception for the International Glass and Clay 2013 was crazy and fun – meeting all the artists was great, but I didn’t focus on the works. My good friend, Patrick Oberman of Artomatic invited me to come back to the show on a quiet afternoon and really look. This posting is intended to contemplate the media based artwork by the talented artists involved in the International show and see what the works say.
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| The artwork on exhibit invites investigation. |
UK glass artist Roger Tye – Roger has two works in the exhibit, and they each present very different aspects. His wall piece is lush with color and organic plant forms. The glass tendrils curve around and out of the dimensional piece – its a very pretty and appealing work.
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| Roger Tye’s blown glass wall sculpture. |
His other sculpture “Fold” has a different feel – its much more narrative. All over the moors and fells of the North of England and southern Scotland, there are strange dry-stone structures – similar to what Roger has sculpted. The stone structures (aka ‘sheepfold‘) were designed to provide a shepherd with a place to hold a few sheep and protect from theft. Roger’s sculpture “Fold”, made of cast glass and slate, is a witty contemporary commentary on this concept, complete with security camera.
“Fold” by Roger Tye.
US ceramic artist Jeff Herrity has three of his slipcast ceramic “totems” in the show. Jeff’s mother was a ceramic artist, and these works harken back to his childhood memories that include kitschy bits and bobs and elements created from ceramic molds. He sees the stacked figures as representative of a group of people that are a clan. We are all may different, yet we rely upon each other – for if one goes missing, we all fall.
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| Jeff Herrity “Totem I”, “Totem II”, “Totem III” |
UK glass artist James Maskrey has some exquisite narrative glass works in the show – amongst my favorites:
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| James Maskrey “The Worst Journey In The World” |
His blown works all reference the 1910–1913 British Antarctic Expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott. The ill-fated journey was to recover eggs of the Emperor penguin for scientific study. It was thought at the time that the flightless penguin might shed light on an evolutionary link between reptiles and birds through its embryo.
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| James Maskrey, “Winter Journey”, “Last Entry”, “The Barrier”. |
The series based on the story “Worst Journey in the World” and asks, but does not answer, the question of whether their suffering was futile, or whether it would inspire future human beings facing very different challenges.
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| Nancy Donnelly’s fused glass panels. |
US glass artist Nancy Donnelly is exhibiting her beautiful fused glass panels “Thistle & Berries” and “The Night Garden”. Both are made from fused frit powders and enamels fired into panels of glass. Her works have a quiet and thoughtful reserve.
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| Inge Panneels, “Micro Macro” |
UK glass artist Inge Paneels’ fused glass panels are created using waterjet to precisly cut intricate patterns based on aerial imagery of river estuary juxtaposed with blood vessel structure. The fused glass panel highlights the communalities.
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| Joe Hicks “Bottle” |
US clay artist Joe Hicks has some beautiful ceramic stoneware with shino glaze. His works anchor the entry space of the gallery.
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| Philippa Whiteside’s ceramics feature incredible detail. The waterjet cut ceramics tell a story that runs around the cube form in different fonts. |
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| Philippa Whiteside “Hope” |
UK ceramic artist Philippa Whiteside works at creating beauty with her detailed clay works. She clearly loves to experiment with surface decoration and texture, and has a fascination with text and words.
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| Syl Mathis’ boat shaped glass/mixed media forms showcase his master craftsman skills. |
US glass artist Syl Mathis‘ artwork has me fall in love with both the glass and the method he displays the kilncast forms. He is very skilled in his metal and stonecarving techniques, and I love his sandcarving of the glass figures.
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| Syl Mathis, “Ancient Ice”, “Time Bound”. |
The artworks by the artists create intriguing and beguiling relationships with the other works on display. Part of the fun of the show is the new juxtapositions of the different styles and approaches of the art.
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| Allegra Marquart‘s kilnformed & sandcarved glass panels (L) and Erwin Timmers‘ cast recycled glass sculptures (R) have a great dialog in the gallery. |
The International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit is open through March 23, 2013, at Washington, DC’s Pepco Edison Place Gallery, located at 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.
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| Pepco Edison Place Gallery |
Today, Saturday, March 9
The Fulbright Program, now in its 65th year, has amassed an alumni body of almost 300,000 participants, representing nearly every nation of the world. The Program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually. Roughly 1,700 U.S. students, 4,000 foreign students, 1,200 U.S. scholars, and 900 visiting scholars receive awards, in addition to several hundred teachers and professionals. Approximately 318,000 “Fulbrighters” have participated in the Program since its inception in 1946.
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| WGS Fulbrighter Michael Janis |
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| WGS Fulbrighter Tim Tate |
Join us today, Saturday, March 9th as we discuss the “Fulbright Experience ” with a roundtable of Fulbright Scholars from area universities.
Details: Saturday, March 9th
Reception 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Panel Discussion 1:00 – 2:30 pm
The Fulbright roundtable discussion is part of the events that make up the International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit held at the Pepco Edison Gallery at 702 Eighth Street, NW, Washington, DC. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.
The British Council is a British organization specializing in international educational and cultural opportunities. It was founded in 1934 as the British Committee for Relations with Other Countries, and granted a royal charter by King George VI in 1940. Its “sponsoring department” within the UK Government is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Recently, the British Council asked our Michael Janis to write about the sister city relationship between Sunderland, England and Washington, DC and how the Washington Glass School came to be one of the participants in the spectacular International Glass and Clay exhibit that opened March 1, 2013.
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| Click HERE to jump to British Council blog. |
Michael was listed as a “US Cultural Ambassador” and he is loving the title upgrade. He now insists on being called “honorable” and says he is planning to stage a “glass coup” at the UN and that he will begin issuing a list of non-binding resolutions.
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| Michael Janis – the Dark Knight |
After all his work with the British glass and ceramic artists, Knighthood surely is being planned.
This Saturday, March 9th, from noon- 1:00 pm, the International Glass and Clay Exhibit hosts a roundtable discussion about the Fulbright Scholar program. Come to the gallery and have a chat with Fulbright Scholars from area universities.
International Glass and Clay 2013
Pepco Edison Place Gallery @ 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Gallery hours are Saturday and Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Gallery is closed on Sundays. The Gallery Place Metro station is within walking distance of the Gallery. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.
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| “007 – Walther P99”, Light, Fused water jet cut BE glass, 2010, Dr Magareth Troli – artwork featured in the “International Glass + Clay 2013” exhibit |
A number of the UK artists exhibiting in the International Glass and Clay 2013 show (at Pepco Edison Place Gallery -702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC) have come to the opening events and programs. The visiting UK artists have hit DC town running – there have been a number of Glass and Clay show events to keep them occupied!
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| UK Glass Artist Demo at Washington Glass School during International Glass & Clay |
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| Robyn Townsend’s artwork incorporates glass and metal |
Demos by UK Artists:
Criss Chaney and Robyn Townsend showed their techniques for metal inclusions and patinas in glass.
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| Criss Chaney shows how the patinas are formed |
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| Robyn Townsend and Criss Chaney |
Over at DC GlassWorks, Colin Rennie, Phil Vickery and Roger Tye wowed the fans of blown glass with a series of virtuoso feats in hot glass.
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| UK artist Phil Vickery demonstrates the process for his beautiful glass forms |
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| L-R Colin Rennie, Phil Vickery and Roger Tye at DC GlassWorks |
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| Roger Tye makes a triple incalmo bowl in red, white and blue. |
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| Colin Rennie ended the demos with a flourish! |
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| Whee! |
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| Artists in the exhibit have a get-together at Artomatic founder George Koch’s place. (Top row L-R: Anne Tye, Tom Hurst, Catherine Auld, Roger Tye. Bottom row L-R: Dr Magareth Troli, Phil Vickery, Robyn Townsend, Criss Chaney, Audrey Wilson, Philippa Whiteside, Colin Rennie) |
The exhibit continues thru March 23 – make sure you come into the gallery to see this incredible showcase of art from the US and UK.
International Glass and Clay 2013
Pepco Edison Place Gallery @ 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Gallery hours are Saturday and Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Gallery is closed on Sundays. The Gallery Place Metro station is within walking distance of the Gallery. The show is organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH.
Opening March 1, 2013, Washington, DC will host an international exhibit of glass and clay artwork – the third collaborative exhibition organized by Artomatic and the DCCAH between Washington, DC artists and artists from our Sister City of Sunderland, England. With all the amazing glass and ceramic artwork being showcased, Washington Glass School will publish online a five part series of profiles on the artists behind the works. US & UK Artists in the International Glass + Clay 2013 Exhibition in Washington, DC.
Part 2 of 5
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| Sean Hennessey / Glass / US |
Sean Hennessey is a mixed media artist based in Washington, DC. Working in glass, concrete, steel, light and video, Sean creates imaginative wall relief works inspired by architectural sculpture and drawing narrative content from philosophical, mythological, historical and personal interpretations. Sean has received fellowships with the city of the District of Columbia, an award of Craft Excellence from the James Renwick Alliance, and is in the collection of the US State Department Art in Embassies Program. His work has been seen on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, HGTV, The Kennedy Center and at Aqua Art Miami. Sean is currently a Resident Artist at the Washington Glass School.
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| James Maskrey / Glass / UK |
James Maskrey started working with glass in 1990. He originally trained as an apprentice and subsequently worked for 7 years at a hot glass studio in Dorset, in South West England. He left to study glass at The Surrey Institute of Art and Design, graduating in June 2000. After graduation he was appointed as Artist in Residence at the Surrey Institute. In 2001 James joined the Glass and Ceramics department at The University of Sunderland, where he graduated with an MA in Glass with distinction in 2004. His work is held in many collections including The Crafts Council, Dan Klein and Alan J.Poole (National Museum of Scotland), Perth Museum and Art Gallery, Northlands Creative Glass, The Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Manchester Metropolitan University special collection and Crystallex (Czech Republic). He has exhibited widely in the UK, in the USA and at the International Glass Symposium in the Czech Republic.
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| Joe Hicks / Ceramics / US |
Joe Hicks has been living in Washington DC where he moved after receiving a BA in Art from Shippensburg University in 2000. He enrolled at The George Washington University where he studied for three years earning his MFA in Ceramics in 2005. Joe Hicks currently maintains a studio for his own ceramic vessels and sculpture work, participating in ceramic and sculptural exhibitions on the regional and national level. He directs the ceramic program at Gallaudet University and is an Adjunct Professor of ceramics at The George Washington University.
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| Dr Margareth Troli / Glass / UK |
Dr Margareth Troli is based at the National Glass Centre (UK) in Sunderland where she explores the integration of digital technologies in her artwork. She completed a Phd in 2011 with the support from the Art and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). She developed technical approaches for the Studio Glass through the investigation of waterjet cutting. Margareth’s research has also been presented at international conferences, and she has received numerous prizes, awards and scholarships for her artwork. Margareth has participated in several international exhibitions and design fairs such as the British Glass Biennale (UK,) 100% Design, (UK), SOFA New York, Designers Block, (UK), Coburger Glass Prize Exhibition, (DE), Design Mart (UK) and The British Parliament.
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| Tamara Laird / Ceramics / US |
Tamara Laird has a wide range of experience, teaching and studying internationally. In 1985 she moved to Nairobi Kenya, where she worked at the National Museums of Kenya on a United Nations Preservation project for the Island Community of Lamu, and as Professor of Art [Ceramics] at Kenyatta University. In 1994, Tamara relocated to Bangkok, Thailand, where she carried out extensive research, visiting individual artists, traditional village production practices, and full-scale industrial ceramic factories. Sponsored by the Thai Government, Tamara joined an educational tour of Industrial Production Facilities. Tamara has also traveled through Mexico, documenting production methods that integrate traditional and contemporary industrial production. Her frequent travel throughout Italy, researching Italian Majolica from Deruta in the north to Vietri in the south, continues a life long habit of documentation, focusing on connections between local culture, artistic development and traditional practice. These experiences have been integrated into her teaching practice, bringing universal craft education practice to the classroom.
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| Syl Mathis / Glass / US |
Syl Mathis has been with the Washington Glass School from its first “glass and steel” workshop. Self-taught as a glass carver, Syl combines investment casting techniques, high pressure abrasive carving, and cold-working techniques to create sculptural pieces in glass that often reflect stylized natural artifacts. His imaginative and skillful use of design–designs which are combinations of man-made and natural forces–not only reflects a love of Nature which invites meditation and thoughtfulness, but also, eloquently highlights the beauty of Nature’s own patterns with a precision that transcends the mere manipulation of tools or careful, mechanical dexterity. As a professional educator, Syl is a firm believer in process, the process of creative expression and of learning; as such, each carving is both a piece of art and the first step in a journey that promises to deepen our perception of Nature.
Click Here to jump to US / UK Artist Profiles Part 1
There will be a “Day of Demos” by a number of the visiting UK artists – Saturday, March 2, 2013.
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| Phil Vickery and Roger Tye @ DC Glassworks 2009 |
11:00 AM at the Washington Glass School, UK-based glass artists Criss Chaney and Robyn Townsend will demonstrate their techniques for combining glass and metals, exploiting methods for working with both materials. Click HERE to reserve a space at this free demo.
2:00 PM at DC GlassWorks, UK hot glass artists Phil Vickery, Colin Rennie and Roger Tye will show how they work. Click HERE to reserve a space at the free demo.
We are bracing for a new British Invasion! The Brits are arriving to set-up the collaborative arts exhibition at Pepco’s Edison Gallery. Arrangements are now being mad for workshops talks and demos to be part of the exhibit, organized by Artomatic and the DC Sister City – part of Washington DC’s Office of the Secretary.
International Glass + Clay
March 1 through March 22, 2013
Opening Reception is Friday, March 1, 2013, 6-8 PM
Edison Place Gallery
702 Eighth Street (between G and H Street)
Washington, DC
To bring an exhibit of this size to the US Capitol, there are a number of sponsors and partners for the International Show:
