sofa chicago | Washington Glass Studio

SOFA Art Fair is now INTERSECT Chicago

Posted on October 27, 2020 by admin |

Works by Tim Tate and Michael Janis will be featured at Habatat Galleries online venue.

Intersect Chicago is replacing SOFA virtually for the 2020 art fair edition due to COVID-19.

Going “Live” online from November 6-12, with a dedicated VIP Preview day on November 5, 2020, the fair will feature a special focus for each day, including: Glass, Contemporary Art, Ceramic and Craft, Design, Outsider Art, Fiber Art, and Public Art / Sculpture.

Intersect Chicago Art Fair will showcase work by WGS artist Michael Janis at Habatat Galleries

For more information on the Art Fair – click HERE.

Posted in 2020, 21st century glass, 21st century sculpture, american craft, chicago, habatat galleries, intersect.chicago, michael janis, sofa chicago, studio glass, Tim Tate

The Future of Art: Glass Art Fair 2020

Posted on October 25, 2020 by admin |

Many art fairs have been moved online due to the global pandemic. Now, as a way to provide access to the best of art glass – Glass Art Fair has been formed. This new online art fair provides a unique opportunity with virtual experience – where all are invited to learn and explore each artist featured and share on their personal social media. The future has “arrived so much sooner,” said the creator of Glass Art Fair, “If galleries and fairs are closed, how can we sell art? Creating an online art fair platform is something we envisioned as an important part of what we do.”

glass.art.fair.2020.tim.tate.sculpture.contemporary.art.modern.usa.craft

artist: Tim Tate. Image courtesy Habatat Galleries.

New for 2020, the Glass Art Fair online art fair features over 60 artists creating using glass as their art medium, opening online to the public on Sunday, November 1st, 2020. This art fair will be online the same time as the Sofa Chicago art fair (rebranded Intersect Art Fair).

GlassArtFair2020.michael_janis.glass.sgraffito.art.contemporary

artist: Michael Janis. Image courtesy Habatat Galleries.

Glass Art Fair hopes collectors on their laptops and iPads will take more time with the work than those darting through a Navy Pier or a Miami beachfront tent. “We have the ability to have multiple images and detail shots – When people are visiting the online platform, they aren’t walking through for 45 seconds. You’re going to have their attention for so much longer.”

artist: Wilfried Grootens. Image courtesy Habatat Galleries.

This online presentation will continue for the month of November with more presentations as works become available. Each artist has the availability to edit and add artwork throughout the month so please check back in for updates often. The works on the site are available for purchase.

artist: Christina Bothwell. Image courtesy Habatat Galleries.

Expect more of what you love at the Glass Art Fair.

artists:
Jennifer Caldwell and Jason Chakravarty. Image courtesy Habatat Galleries.

Posted in 2020, american craft, american glass, art, art fair, art glass, art world, chicago, contemporary art glass, contemporary artwork, contemporary craft, cool glass, covid, glass art, intersect art fair, intersect.chicago, intersectchicago, online art fair, online glass, sofa chicago, sofa expo, studio glass, twenty first century glass, стекло искусство новое, アメリカのガラス芸術, 美国玻璃艺术家 | Tagged future of art, glass 2020, glass art fair, glassartfair

Tim Tate & Michael Janis Collaborate

Posted on October 11, 2019 by admin |

The Collaboration…..

“All That Is Solid Melts Into Air” Michael Janis & Tim Tate; 2019, fused glass, cast glass, sgraffito imagery, steel; 6′-0″ x 9′-0″; Photo credit: Pete Duvall.

Michael Janis and Tim Tate have worked together as Co-Directors of the Washington Glass School and Studio for more than 15 years, working on their own individual work, teaching and creating a functioning arts studio in the nation’s capital.

Michael Janis creates imagery with crushed glass powder his signature “sgraffito” technique.

This summer, the two artists decided to build on that rich and storied history by collaborating on an impressive piece that would both combine and challenge their individual, and strongly, narrative work.

Tim Tate works on the glass panels for the collaborative artwork.

“All Things Solid Melt Into Air” is the title of their 6’ x 9’ wall installation, comprised of 54 separate kiln cast glass insets. To create this work, the artists made 42 separate bas-relief plaster molds, 12 sgraffito glass powder drawings, 12 lost wax glass castings and 4 months to produce this spectacular and monumental work.

Detail of “All That Is Solid Melts Into Air” Photo credit: Pete Duvall

Referencing mankind’s interaction with nature as the artwork main theme, Tim and Michael set about to produce an experience that people will want to engage with…on a tactile basis. One can explore each of the olive tinted glass tiles to feel sentiments and poetic visions of the artists, or step back and just enjoy the piece as one would enjoy a bird’s song. They are both immensely proud of this work, which will be shown at the Habatat Prime exhibit during SOFA Expo in Chicago, (October 31, 2019 – November 3, 2019).

Habatat Prime
Location: Roosevelt Collection @ 1023 S. Delano Court East, Chicago, IL 60605
Habatat will have transportation to and from the space that is 3 miles from the Pier.

Posted in chicago, collaborative, contemporary art glass, contemporary artwork, cool glass, dry plaster casting, fullbright scholar, glass and steel sculpture, glass art, habatat galleries, kiln-formed, sofa chicago, sofa expo

Smithsonian Museum Curators Visit Washington Glass School

Posted on September 21, 2019 by admin |

Smithsonian Renwick Museum Curator-In-Charge Nora Atkinson is compelled to touch the artwork by Michael Janis and Tim Tate on her visit to Washington Glass School.

Nora Atkinson, Curator-in-Charge of the Smithsonian Renwick Museum and Robyn Kennedy, Smithsonian Renwick Chief Administrator pay a visit to the studio to have a look at the new collaborative glass installation by Tim Tate & Michael Janis.

Artist Michael Janis talks about the process and inspiration that he and artist Tim Tate used to make the stunning, collaborative artwork.

The two Renwick Museum leaders wanted a preview of the work titled, “All That Is Solid Melts Into Air” before it heads up to Chicago as part of Habatat Prime pop-up exhibit that is part of SOFA Expo in a few weeks (Oct 31-Nov 3).

Artist Erwin Timmers points out the features of his thoughtful glass sculptures to SAAM Curator Nora Atkinson and Chief Administrator, Robyn Kennedy.

And a walk thru of the Washington Glass School looking at the artists work – what great way to spend a spectacular Friday in DC.

Michael Janis describes his sgraffito glass technique to Smithsonian’s Robyn Kennedy and Nora Atkinson as they tour the work on exhibit.

Posted in fused glass, glass art, glass sculpture, glass wall, mike janis, navy pier, renwick gallery, s.o.f.a. chicago, sgrafitto, smithsonian, smithsonian american art museum, sofa chicago, sofa expo, twenty first century glass, united states, warm glass, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington School of Glass | Tagged habatat prime, nora atkinson, robyn kennedy, saam

Mary Van Cline’s Documenta Project Presents: EXPOSED!

Posted on September 11, 2019 by admin |

Mary Van Cline’s “Documenta Project,” is an ongoing photographic quest to capture the images (and personalities) of the unique community of artists, dealers, and collectors who coalesced around glass as an art medium. As the Documenta Project celebrates 3 years of photographing the community of the global Studio Glass Movement, it has become an important historical archive of Portraits documenting artists, collectors, gallery owners and curators.

This year, at the arts extravaganza that is SOFA Expo – Mary will present a lecture and event, titled: Exposed!

Lecture at SOFA Chicago 2019 Friday, November 1st, 2019; 3-4pm (right after AACG sponsored lecture)

Janusz Walentynowicz

Come see the “out takes” and behind the scenes action of the Photo Shoots that help make the Portraits so engaging, and enjoy an informal visual historical narrative. After all, LAUGHING MATTERS!

SOFA Chicago

Festival Hall, Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Opening Night Preview
Thursday, October 31, 2019
VIP Preview | 5 – 9 pm
Public Preview | 7 – 9 pm

Posted in american studio glass, chicago, creative glass, documenta project, habatat galleries, mary van cline, sofa chicago, sofa expo

Get Ready for SOFA Expo (31 OCT – 3 NOV 2019)

Posted on September 10, 2019 by admin |

The huge art fair SOFA Chicago will be staged again at Chicago’s Navy Pier the first weekend of November. SOFA stands for “sculptural objects and functional art,” but the content of the fair has an even broader scope. On par with Art Basel and TEFAF Maastricht, SOFA is produced by Clarion Events.
Critically acclaimed and continuously running since 1993, what distinguishes SOFA from other top art events is its focus on three-dimensional artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art and design. SOFA is noted for its exceptional presentation, with an elite selection of international dealers presenting for sale one-of-a-kind masterworks.
With a strong educational emphasis, SOFA CHICAGO includes an acclaimed lecture series and special exhibits exploring the artworks on view and surveying new trends in the art world.

WTTW video of previous SOFA Expo – watch to see works by some of your favorite glass artists and cameos of works by DC artists!

Michigan’s Habatat Gallery will again be participating in SOFA Chicago for the 33rd year. For the 2019 event the gallery will be doing something exciting and all are invited!Habatat will have a presence at the SOFA Art Fair at Navy Pier and also at Habatat Prime which is a pop up location near Chicago’s Printers Row area. There, Habatat will have 7500 square feet of display spacing and also a live auction at the space as well Friday night! The space will open to the public Thursday morning so please join us for lunch on Thursday October 31st and preview the auction.
Habatat SOFA Navy Pier Booth: A34 & A32
Habatat Prime Location: Z Gallery 1023 S. Delano Court East – Space F123, Chicago, IL 60605
Habatat will have tranportation to and from the space that is 3 miles from the Pier.

SOFA CHICAGO
31 OCT – 3 NOV 2019
Festival Hall, Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Opening Night Preview
Thursday, October 31, 2019
VIP Preview | 5 – 9 pm
Public Preview | 7 – 9 pm

Posted in chicago, habatat galleries, navy pier, sofa chicago, sofa expo

SOFA Chicago Preview : Works By Washington Glass School Artists

Posted on October 23, 2018 by admin |

SOFA 2018: Discovering New Concepts of Innovation and Design
Chicago, Illinois (November 1 – November 4, 2018) – This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design (SOFA) Fair in Chicago, which takes place at the landmark Navy Pier.

Laura Beth Konopinski, "Beneath your walls the rubble exposed", mixed media glass, Alida Anderson Art Project, booth #A39. photo by Pete Duvall.

Laura Beth Konopinski, “Beneath your walls the rubble exposed”, mixed media glass, Alida Anderson Art Projects, booth #A39. (photo by Pete Duvall)

Washington Glass School artists Laura Beth Konopinski, Tim Tate and Michael Janis will have their new works featured at the critically acclaimed expo. The Chicago-based art expo is traditionally dedicated to three-dimensional art and design.

Tim Tate, Mrs. Dalloway : Morning and Mrs Dalloway : Evening, 32"dia each.

Tim Tate, Mrs. Dalloway : Morning (L) & Mrs Dalloway : Evening (R), 32″dia each. Habatat Galleries booth #A25

Michigan’s Habatat Galleries will feature new works by Tim Tate and Michael Janis, in their space #A25. Tim’s new infinity mirrors have become much more sculptural and dynamic – they must be seen in person to experience the reflected themes of empowerment and hope.

Tim Tate, “I Stand With My Sisters”, mixed media, LED, glass. Habatat Galleries booth #A25. (photo by Pete Duvall)

Michael Janis has been creating a new series that will debut at the Chicago SOFA art fair, where his realistic imagery is offset with color and abstracted forms. His work can be seen also at Habatat Galleries space, #A25. Michael’s work will also be in a special exhibit at the fair: Intersection: Art & Life that features works by artists featured in a new book by Kevin Wallace, director of California’s Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. His book explores the historical parallels between art and life, with the arts playing a central role in exploring identity, spirituality, our relationship with the environment and developing technologies.

Michael Janis, “In My Dreams”, fused glass, 12″ x 16″, Habatat Galleries booth #A25. (photo by Pete Duvall)

Michael Janis, "Forever", "Talk to Me", "Forever", 12" x 16" each. Habatat Galleries booth #A25. (photo by Pete Duvall).

Michael Janis, “Forever”, “Talk to Me”, “Forever”, 12″ x 16″ each. Habatat Galleries booth #A25. (photos by Pete Duvall).

Laura Beth Konopinski will be showing her new narrative mixed media sculptures. After a successful exhibit at the Art Miami Fairs last year, she has been creating new works that have already received critical acclaim. Laura Beth can be found at Alida Anderson Art Projects space, #A39

Each year, SOFA Chicago opens to eager crowds!

Location: SOFA CHICAGO
Address: Navy Pier, Festival Hall
600 E. Grand, Entrance 2
Chicago, IL 60611

Posted in art fair, laura beth konopinski, michael janis, mike janis, sofa chicago, Tim Tate

Art, Craft & Design Converge @ 2017 SOFA CHICAGO

Posted on October 26, 2017 by admin |

SOFA Chicago 2017 Habatat Galleries features the best in glass art & sculpture.

The Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design (SOFA) Fair in Chicago is dedicated to three-dimensional art and design. Continuously running since 1994, SOFA focuses on three-dimensional artworks that cross the boundaries of fine art, decorative art and design. The 2017 Fair will showcase nearly 80 galleries displaying artwork by emerging and established artists working in ceramics, wood, glass, fiber, studio jewelry, metal, painting, photography and works on paper, at Chicago’s Navy Pier this November 2-5, 2017. SOFA CHICAGO also includes an acclaimed lecture series and special exhibits exploring the artworks on view and surveying new trends in the art world.

Michigan’s Habatat Galleries (Booth #1400) will feature over 55 artists from around the world working in contemporary glass. WGS artists Tim Tate and Michael Janis will be exhibited as well as works by Alex Bernstein, Christina Bothwell, Susan Taylor Glasgow, John Littleton & Kate Vogel, Dean Allison, Paul Stankard, Daniel Clayman, Ginny Ruffner, Peter Bremers, Wilfried Grootens, and Lucy Lyon.

Posted in chicago, habatat galleries, sofa chicago

Getting Ready for Chicago S.O.F.A.!

Posted on October 18, 2016 by admin |

sofa_chicago.expo.art.fair.navy.pier.glass_new.mike_janis.michael.sgraffito.frit_powder.drawing_fused.cast.littleton

Kilnformed glass artwork by Michael Janis exhibited at Maurine Littleton Gallery space 2015 during SOFA.

This November, the world’s foremost Sculptures Objects Functional Art + Design Fair (SOFA CHICAGO) is back and happening at Chicago’s Navy Pier this Nov 3-6, 2016.

SOFA CHICAGO is one of the longest running art fairs in the world, and the oldest art fair in Chicago. Now in its 23rd year, SOFA CHICAGO is dedicated to bringing together the perpetually separated spheres of design, decorative arts, and fine arts. With nearly 70 internationally renowned galleries, SOFA CHICAGO will be exhibiting an array of media-specific art and innovative designs. Additionally, those who come to SOFA CHICAGO will have the chance to meet hundreds of the world’s most creative people, as well as view works of some of the globe’s most talented emerging artists.

Washington Glass School artists will again be showing at the international art fair – Allegra Marquart, Tim Tate, Audrey Wilson & Michael Janis have been working away this past summer on new works.

Allegra Marquart,”The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings”; Hand blown reverse painted glass vessel; H.9″W. 5″ photo by Pete Duvall.

Allegra Marquart has been working with glass blower Tim McFadden – who blew the forms that she reverse painted and fired. The theme running through some of her new pieces is “wanting” – where the main protagonists want something they don’t have or more of what they have already. Allegra’s sculpture and her glass-and-textile wall installations will be shown at Maurine Littleton Gallery’s booth # 821 at SOFA.

Tim Tate, “Where We Hide From No One” detail; Silver Plated Frame, Mirror, Flame Worked Glass, LED’s; 18 x 18 x 4″. Photo by Pete Duvall.

Tim Tate has been working on whole new series developing for the past year and a half. Tim’s works engage the viewer and each piece visually draw’s the viewer deep inside. Tim’s new works will be shown at Michigan’s Habatat Galleries.

Michael Janis has had a incredible year so far! After receiving the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Award and having a successful solo show at Maurine Littleton Gallery, Michael has recently finished his signature cast glass/frit powder imagery panels for the art fair. Michael’s works will again be shown at Maurine Littleton Gallery – (Boorth # 821).

Audrey Wilson will again be showing at Alida Anderson Art Projects. Audrey’s wonderful sculptures wryly explore questionable science and conspiratorial thinking. In our troubled times, some recent researchers have found that anxiety and the feeling of loss of control triggers people to see nonexistent patterns and evoke conspiratorial explanations. With high-stress situations (such as job uncertainty) its not surprising that people concoct, embrace, and repeat conspiracy theories.

Audrey Wilson’s mixed media / Pâte de verre sculpture explores science and conspiracy theories.

This year’s SOFA CHICAGO hopes to take art lovers one step further. Explore the world of art like never before and be sure to take in one of the SOFA Lecture Series presented by some of the world’s most distinguished artists, collectors and professionals, as well as a special events series curated and presented by international art organizations.

SOFA CHICAGO

Festival Hall, Navy Pier
600 East Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60611

Posted in art, art fair, sofa chicago

Report from Chicago SOFA

Posted on November 13, 2015 by admin |

Chicago’s Navy Pier was host for the 2015 SOFA expo.

As the 2015 edition of the Sculpture Objects Functional Art + Design fair wound down the red dots were spread around the exhibition spaces at Chicago’s Navy Pier Festival Hall that featured glass. The broadened scope of works included more painting and photography as part of the show’s evolution.

Tim Tate talks about his work at Habatat Galleries space.

Washington Glass School artists Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Allegra Marquart, Audrey Wilson and Sean Hennessey were featured at Michigan’s Habatat Gallery, Maurine Littleton and Alida Anderson Art Project spaces that featured works by internationally acclaimed artists.

The art expo also featured talks by the artists about their work and notable critics such as William Warmus and American Craft Editor Monica Moses hosted lively discussions on the future of collecting.

Monica Moses.american.craft.magazine.editor.william.warmus.sofa.chicago

Editor-in-Chief of American Craft, Monica Moses, with curator/critic/art consultant Bill Warmus presenting a talk about the future of collecting @ SOFA Chicago 2015.

One of the best activities for this visitor was to wander amongst the incredible artwork and strike up a conversation with the artists that you had a craft-crush and obtain real insight into their work and process. Some of the works truly left the viewer gobsmacked – with details and depths to the work that jpeg photos simply could not show. Although the show was just a long weekend, I could have kept finding new works to be mesmerized in each aisle.

Michael Janis talks about his work at SOFA Chicago

I can’t wait till next year’s iteration! But until then – have a look at some of the glass works photos in the Washington Glass School’s flickr album – click HERE to jump to SOFA Chicago album. Or- want to see a short local PBS (WTTW) vid? Click HERE.

Detail of “The Gun Eater” by Carmen Lozar.

Carmen Lozar’s “The Gun Eater” at Bender Gallery.

Posted in chicago, contemporary artwork, contemporary craft, craft design art, craft fair, sofa chicago | Tagged sofa

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