James Renwick Alliance Spring Craft Weekend Honors Therman Statom!

You are cordially invited to The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) Spring Craft Weekend on April 26-28, 2019 in Washington, DC.jra.renwick.alliance.spring.craft.weekend.master.glass.therman.statom.dc.washington.art

This year, the JRA honors Michael Sherrill (ceramic), Nancy Crow (fiber), Myra Mimlitsch-Gray (metal), Michael Hurwitz (wood), and Therman Statom (glass), as the 2019 Masters of the Medium @ Spring Craft Weekend

Therman Statom leading a JRA workshop at the Washington Glass School in 2006.

Therman Statom leading a JRA workshop at the Washington Glass School in 2006.

Therman Statom is a sculptor, glass artist, and painter. Born in Florida, Thermon grew up in Washington, D.C. His interest in the arts grew from a fondness of painting and he began to investigate ceramics at RISD. However, after an experimental glass blowing session with Dale Chihuly, he was soon hooked on the spontaneity of glass and its limitless possibilities. He is most notably known as a pioneer of the contemporary glass movement for his life-size glass ladders, chairs, tables, constructed box-like paintings, and small-scale houses; all created through the technique of gluing glass plate together.

Therman Statom creates one of his glass houses at the Washington Glass School in 2006.

Therman Statom creates one of his signature glass houses at the Washington Glass School in 2006.

Therman includes among his honors an Outstanding Achievement Award presented in 2008 by UrbanGlass, and a Distinguished Artist Award presented in 2006 by the James Renwick Alliance. Therman was awarded fellowship grants by the National Endowment for the Arts in 1988 and 1982 and he was the recipient of a Ford Foundation Artists Grant in 1997. Therman was made a Fellow of the American Craft Council in 1999. In November, 2015, he was named a United States Artists Fellow.

The JRA has named Therman to be one of this year’s “Master of the Medium” and will be one of the artists honored at the Spring Craft Weekend (April 26-28, 2019) – with a weekend filled with fun and adventure! Join the Masters in the Saturday Symposium as they share illustrative images of their work and discuss their notable craft journeys that frame their careers in the field. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails with the Masters just blocks away from the Renwick Gallery and bid on one of the ten auction items offered by the JRA at the Evening Soirée & Auction. Enjoy brunch and a celebration of American craft as the Masters of the Medium are honored at the historic and elegant Cosmos Club.

Click HERE for more info on the JRA Spring Craft Weekend.

The JRA is made from collectors, artists, educators, gallery and museum professionals and others who share a passion for contemporary American craft.

Save the Date! JRA Spring Craft Weekend April 26-28, 2019!


All are cordially invited to the James Renwick Alliance (JRA) Spring Craft Weekend, April 26-28, 2019 in Washington DC. Celebrate the accomplishments of artists Nancy Crow (fiber), Michael Hurwitz (wood), Myra Mimlitch-Gray (metal), Michael Sherrill (ceramic), and Therman Statom (glass) as they receive the 2019 James Renwick Alliance Master of the Medium awards during the Craft Weekend celebrations.

Tentative Spring Craft Weekend Schedule:

Tour private collections Friday afternoon, April 26 for JRA Caucus and Patrons Program. Join this exclusive event at the private home collections of two area residents including Marc and Diane Grainer and another, yet to be announced.

Learn at the Saturday morning Symposium, April 27, at the Ring Auditorium at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture GardenThe symposium will feature the five 2019 JRA Masters of the Medium, who will share their work and discuss their experience in the field. 

Bid Saturday, April 27, at the Evening Soirée where exquisite work by the Masters of the Medium will be available for auction, along with the 2018/19 Distinguished Artist Series Artists and the 2019 Chrysalis Awardee. The Cocktail party will include hors d’oeuvres and the opportunity to mingle with the guests of honor. This event will be at the Council on Foreign Relations historic venue at 1777 F Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Brunch on Sunday, April 28 at the Cosmos Club and celebrate the Masters of the Medium as they receive their awards. 

Click HERE for more info!

 

James Renwick Alliance Spring Craft Weekend 2017!

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The James Renwick Alliance’s (JRA) annual celebration of American craft, Spring Craft Weekend includes a symposium featuring five masters of craft art, the JRA annual gala, and a tour of the homes of prominent collectors. The events take place the weekend of April 1st – and so much is going on!

The 2017 Masters of the Media Lecture

9:15AM-NOON, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
FREE EVENT | Sponsored by the JRA
Visarts, Rockville, Maryland

The JRA’s featured five 2017 Masters of the Media represent the best of craft artists today. All have won awards and acclaim. All have exhibited in international galleries and museums, and in public and private collections. Many have taught; some are still teaching. And each and every one of them is truly inspirational.2017 masters of media JRA

The Masters will present their stories, their philosophies and their work in an engaging format which will include a Q&A session.

The doors will open at 9:15am for refreshments, coffee and the opportunity to visit a few of VisArts artists’ studios before the Masters’ program begins at 10:00am. Click HERE to register for the JRA Masters lecture.

Open to the Public | FREE | Advance Registration Required for All Attendees

Seating is limited; early registration advised.
VisArts | 155 Gibbs Street | Rockville, Maryland
Parking available in nearby public garages.
Nearest Metro: Rockville (Red Line)


35th Anniversary Gala & Masters Auction

The Washington National Cathedral is the venue for the JRA Spring Craft Weekend Gala. Besides the dinner, the JRA will be having an auction featuring works by this year's Master of the Medium Awards.

The Washington National Cathedral is the venue for the JRA Spring Craft Weekend Gala. Besides the dinner, the JRA will be having an auction featuring works by this year’s Master of the Medium Awards.

6:00PM, SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017
National Cathedral, Washington DC

A special anniversary demands a special anniversary Gala. And what could possibly top spending Saturday evening at the Washington National Cathedral? Celebrate in grand style, surrounded by the amazing beauty and history of this important landmark. Chat, dine and even explore a bit with the help of the Cathedral’s attentive docents.

Register for exciting Craft Adventures both near and far during the cocktail reception. Bid high to make it count in the JRA Live Auction featuring selected works from each of the featured five Masters of the Media who will receive their awards during the program.

This year’s Gala promises to be memorable from the very moment those impressive doors open. Click HERE to register for the GALA.

$395 per person No charge for Patrons
Dress for a Party Black Tie Optional

Washington National Cathedral | 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW | Washington DC
Parking in Washington National Cathedral’s Garage $10


The James Renwick Alliance is an independent national non-profit organization that celebrates the achievements of America’s craft artists and fosters scholarship, education, connoisseurship and public appreciation of craft art. Founded in 1982, the Alliance fulfills its mission through public programs, educational trips, publications, recognition of craft artists, and financial support of museums and other non-profit organizations, including the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

JRA SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND 2016!

James Renwick Alliance JRA SCW 2016 Join the James Renwick Alliance (JRA) for Spring Craft Weekend 2016 on April 1-3 for a joyful celebration of American Craft.

Spring Craft Weekend is a fabulous three day celebration of works made in ceramics, fiber, glass, metal and wood…where Craft as Art is explored in many forms. The JRA honors individuals or organizations in the craft world who have made significant and pioneering contributions in craft education.

This year’s Spring Craft Weekend includes a free symposium on Saturday, April 2 at the recently renovated Smithsonian Renwick Gallery – 10:30 am – 12:00pm.

Saturday Symposium panel: Stuart Kestenbaum, Chair, Board of Trustees of the American Craft Council and former Director of Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, will chair a panel discussion with four renowned artists: Theresa Secord, founder of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance; Sonya Clark, fiber artist and Chair of the Craft and Material Studies Program at VCU; David Keefe, creator of Combat Paper NJ in New Jersey; and Alleghany Meadows, studio potter and founder of Artstream Nomadic Gallery.

Saturday Symposium panel: Stuart Kestenbaum, Chair, Board of Trustees of the American Craft Council and former Director of Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, will chair a panel discussion with four renowned artists: Theresa Secord, founder of the Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance; Sonya Clark, fiber artist and Chair of the Craft and Material Studies Program at VCU; David Keefe, creator of Combat Paper NJ in New Jersey; and Alleghany Meadows, studio potter and founder of Artstream Nomadic Gallery.

 

For more info on Spring Craft Weekend & to register for the events – click HERE.

 

 

The James Renwick Alliance is an independent national
nonprofit organization, created to recognize the achievements of
America’s craft artists and to foster scholarship, education and public
appreciation of craft art. Founded in 1982, the Alliance contributes to
the nation’s showcase of contemporary American craft, the Smithsonian
American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in Washington, D.C.
with acquisitions for the permanent collection, exhibitions support
and education and scholarship programs.

JRA Panel: The Decorative in Contemporary Craft

The JRA Spring Craft Weekend panel discussion dealt with decorative. In the high modern era, decoration was forbidden; everything was “form follows function.” Craft, however, was often covertly decorative. Now craft embraces a whole range of the decorative, from the conceptual to the riotously ornamental. 

Called the “Best Panel Discussion ever during Spring Craft Weekend” – the talk at the Smithsonian American Art Museum was recorded and is now available online!

Click on image below to connect to the webcast and watch as artist, scholar, and author Bruce Metcalf moderate the diverse panel as they explore the contemporary decorative impulse: its intentions, meanings, and devices. Panel included Ulysses Dietz, chief curator and curator of decorative arts, Newark Museum of Art; Garth Clark, specialist in modern and contemporary ceramic art; Judith Schaechter, stained glass artist; and Molly Hatch, ceramist.. The run time is approximately 1hr 42 mins. diverse panel explored the contemporary decorative impulse: its intentions, meanings, and devices. 

Sean Hennessey Lecture in Grand Salon of Smithsonian Renwick Gallery, Sat. April 6

Smithsonian Renwick Gallery’s Grand Salon, 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. (at 17th Street) Washington, DC. 20006

The James Renwick Alliance Spring Craft Weekend is Here! The theme of the show is The Stars of Today and Tomorrow – and to that end,  join our Rising Star, Sean Hennessey, this coming Saturday, April 6, at 10:30 am. Sean will be part of the museum’s panel discussion about the direction of contemporary craft. 

Click HERE to jump to Smithsonian website for more info.

When:                  Saturday, April 6, 2013, 10:30am

Categories:         Lectures & Discussions

Co-sponsor:        Support for this program from the James Renwick Alliance

Location:             Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery

Event Location:  Grand Salon

Cost:                    Free

From the Smithsonian website: 

Two masters of their media, artists Bruce Metcalf and Adrian Saxe, and two up-and-coming young “stars of tomorrow,” Hunt Clark and Sean Hennessey, join moderator Cindi Strauss, curator of Modern and Contemporary Decorative Arts and Design and assistant director of programming at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for a lively panel discussion about the direction of contemporary craft.

2013 – An Art Odyssey! JRA Spring Craft Weekend

James Renwick Alliance “Stars Of Tomorrow” Event at Washington Glass School & Flux Studio.

The studio…its full of STARS!

On Fri. April 5th from 10 to 2pm, the first event in a series of annual fund raisers by the James Renwick Alliance (JRA) will take place at the Washington Glass School and its next door neighbor Flux Studio. The event will feature a huge BBQ, entertainers, local food artisans and beer.

The event is titled ” 2013 – An Art Odyssey”. Besides artwork by area media-based artists, there will be a theramin player and space videos projected onto walls, also, fortune tellers and space jugglers will go throughout the crowd. Attending this event will be some of the major collectors from this region and from around the country.

The James Renwick Alliance is dedicated to promoting this region’s quality artwork, and have an amazing list of collectors and curators invited. This event is also open to the public, so invite everyone you know!

Event Details:

Date & Time : Friday April 5, from 10AM to 2 PM.
Location: Washington Glass School & Flux Studios
3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD, 20712
Cost: $35

Please RSVP in advance to Cicie Sattarnilasskorn at the JRA : admin@jra.org

The JRA, a national nonprofit arts organization, is an alliance of prominent artists, collectors, galleries and supporters of the arts which promotes  public knowledge and appreciation of American craft.

Proceeds from the activities of the weekend provide operating funds for the James Renwick Alliance and the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in support of its educational programs, research fellowships, exhibitions, and acquisitions for the permanent collection.

 

Proceeds from the activities of the weekend provide operating funds for the James Renwick Alliance and the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery in support of its educational programs, research fellowships, exhibitions, and acquisitions for the permanent collection.

Save The Date: APRIL 5-7 JRA Spring Craft Weekend

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APRIL 5-7, 2013

SPRING CRAFT WEEKEND The Stars of Today and Tomorrow:

Please join the James Renwick Alliance and celebrate the 2013 Masters of the Medium: Adrian Saxe, Ceramics; Mary Giles, Fiber; Paul Stankard, Glass; Bruce Metcalf, Metal; Willian Hunter, Wood 

Also JRA Founding members Elmerina & Paul Parkman will be honored with “The One-of-a-Kind of Award”. Elmerina and Paul Parkman have been collectors of American studio glass since 1971, with a particular interest in documentation of this movement as it has evolved. They traveled extensively to attend glass events and to visit craft schools, artists’ studios, museum exhibitions, and gallery shows.

JRA Announces "Masters Of Medium"

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 The James Renwick Alliance has announced the winners of their “Master of the Medium” award for 2013. The Masters of the Medium award recognizes artists of consummate craftsmanship who have contributed to and influenced their chosen fields. The Masters of the Medium awards were initiated in 1997 on the occasion of the fifteenth anniversary of the James Renwick Alliance and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Renwick Gallery. The Masters of the Medium Awards are given biennially in odd numbered years. 
The 2013 winners are:

GlassPaul Stankard

Paul J. Stankard “integrates mysticism with botanical realism giving the glass organic credibility”.  His work celebrates the beauty of nature on an intimate level.  His work is in 38 museum collections, five books and documentaries are published about his work, has been shown in too many exhibitions to count.  He has helped advance flame working by teaching at seven master classes, including in Japan and Scotland.  He supports the Creative Glass Center of America as a board member since its founding in 1983 and as president for three years.

Jewelry/MetalBruce Metcalf

“Jewelry is interesting because it is one of the last portable art forms.  Carried on the body, jewelry intrudes into public space at the same time it represents the persona of the wearer.  The more unusual the ornament, the more disturbing the intrusion, and the more radical the representation.  Wearing my jewelry requires either a great sense of adventure, or a total disregard for potential ostracism.” – Excerpt from Artist Statement, 1991



WoodWilliam Hunter

William Hunter masterfully turns and disc cuts wood to create precise and polished spirals and helixes which open up the vessel with contrast between inside and outside, shadow and light, matter and empty space. He  rewards us with unique and innovative vessels and sculptural forms.  His work is in 23 museum collections, featured in 28 books of sculpture and woodturning, and has been shown in over 60 exhibitions. 

FiberMary Giles

Mary Giles resides in St. Croix, Minnesota.  In the early 1980’s she participated in shows with other influential basket artists. She creates mixed – media coiled baskets that are very sculptural in nature. Her choice of fine waxed linen and metal attached shapes go far beyond the traditional basket. The forms take on a surprise element. She says this about her work, “Today, I am very concerned about the environment and try to capture the forms, textures and light found in nature.”

ClayAdrian Saxe

Adrian Saxe, a Guggenheim Fellowship recipient, has been named, “the most significant ceramic artist of his generation” by L.A.critic, Chris Knight.  A California artist and influential teacher for more than 30 years – another critic sums up his work thus,” Saxe is a virtuoso…spectacularly skilled”.  His ornate, and humorous vessels make reference to traditional vessels and become objects of rare originality and beauty at the same time.  

The winners will receive their awards during Spring Craft Weekend, April 5 to 7, 2013.

Matt Szosz Demos Inflating Fused Glass

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Matt Szosz Technique: Fused, Inflated Window Glass

Join us for a fascinating and unusual free demo to be held during CraftWeek DC and in cooperation with the James Renwick Alliance’s Spring Craft Weekend. Glass Weekend “Rising Star” Matt Szosz will be inflating fused sheets of glass into sculptural “envelopes”. Inflating hot glass is explosive – the stillness of the final form is belied by the frenetic urgency of the process. Join us while Matt Szosz shows an amazing kiln process experience. This is a great show!

Using glass and clouds as a material sources, much of Matthew’s work stems from experimentation with modes of manipulation. He is interested in developing new ways of transforming sheet glass when it is at fusing/casting temperatures to capture the tactile quality and the complex curves the material achieves when heated.

Artist Matt Szosz
Dates Sat April 24
Time 11 am – 1pm

Born in Rhode Island, Matthew Szosz has received a BFA, a BID (Industrial Design), and a MFA (Glass) from Rhode Island School of Design. He has worked professionally in art and art related fields in Rhode Island, New Mexico and California for the last ten years. Recently he has received the Pilchuck Scholarship, a Stein Fund Grant, the Award of Excellence in Graduate Studies from RISD and the Jutta Cuny-Franz Award in 2009.