Memorial Day

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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.

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Stephen Beardsell describing his process of reverse imagery glass casting to workshop audience at the Washington Glass School, June 2009.

Sunderland, UK Artist’s Residency @ Washington Glass School

criss.chaneyTwo 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.

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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!

robyn.townsend

US/UK Sister Cities: Keeping Calm & Carrying On

The UK delegation again stopped into the Washington Glass School to plot plan what could be done next to further interaction between Sister Cities Washington, DC and Sunderland, England. 

Washington Glass School Co-Director Michael Janis outlines bold plans to the Sunderland representatives. Clockwise from left: Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Oliver “Skip” Dulle, Tom Hurst, Catherine Auld.

Some of the topics included artwork exhibitions – including Artomatic- of US/UK glass and ceramics in London, residencies in Washington, DC and in Sunderland, and some new ways to get the work of the media-based artists seen. 
The delegation also visited Flux Studios, where UK ceramic artist Philippa Whiteside is currently working on her artist residency – and was featured in the British Council USA blog today.

UK artist Philippa Whiteside working at Flux Studio.

Click HERE to jump to the British Council post. We will advise on US/UK art interactions when they develop!

International Glass & Clay Exhibit Travels To UK Museum

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.

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

International Glass & Clay 2013 Catalog online

The International Glass & Clay 2013 Catalog – what the well dressed glass library is sporting!

Kicking yourself for missing the International Glass & Clay show that just closed in Washington, DC? Don’t let us stop you!  
You can look at the catalog (or catalogue) online – click  HERE to jump to Google docs.

High Tea at the International Glass & Clay Exhibit

The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) held a “Tea with the Brits” wrap-up social at the International Glass and Clay 2013 exhibit held at Pepco Gallery. Artomatic and the DCCAH have held a collaborative exhibition of glass and ceramics featuring artists from the Sister Cities of Sunderland, England and Washington, DC., ending in high style with a final event held at the gallery. Photos by Miriam Rosenthal.

Tea, cucumber sandwiches, fresh made scones with home-made jams and clotted cream, and a spot of dry sherry were on the menu. 
Artomatic’s George Koch addresses the JRA audience.
Novie Trump talks about Laurel Lukaszewski’s ceramic sculpture.
Novie Trump and Michael Janis discuss UK glass artist Colin Rennie’s work.
High Tea presenters and organizers (L-R) Novie Trump, Bonnie Schwartz, Mallory Lawson, George Koch,  Michael Janis.

The closing night event of the International Glass & Clay event finished the exhibit with great fun and last minute sales. All agreed that we will miss the fantastic artwork that has been on display, and that with such good results, the connections with our UK artists and colleagues have been made stronger! When is the next collaborative show is the question we all ask!

International Glass & Clay – In the Quieter Moments

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

James Maskrey, “Winter Journey”, “Last Entry”, “The Barrier”.

The series based on the story “Worst Journey in the Worldand 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. 

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.

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

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.

Philippa Whiteside’s ceramics feature incredible detail. The waterjet cut ceramics tell a story that runs around the cube form in different fonts.
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.

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.

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. 

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.

Pepco Edison Place Gallery

Michael Janis named "US Cultural Ambassador", Knighthood Next?

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.

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. 

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.  

Panel Discussion held at International Glass + Clay 2013

Artists and Creative Businesses from the UK City of Sunderland and the District of Columbia discuss their views about international efforts and the impact these relationships can have on their practices.  The discussion will particularly draw on their experience within the Washington DC – Sunderland Friendship Agreement.


Presenters: 

Anne Tye, Sector Specialist, Creative Industries, Sunderland England

UK Artists: Phil Vickery and Criss Chaney 

Washington, DC Artists: Novie Trump, Director, FLUX Studio and Michael Janis, Co-Director, Washington Glass School. 

 

5:30 – 7:00 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The panel discussion is part of the events planned during the International Glass and Clay exhibit, open thru March 23, 2013. The talk is free and open to the public. Location: Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20068.

International Glass & Clay 2013 Opens!

Opening reception for International Glass and Clay 2013 Exhibit in Washington, DC

This weekend, the opening reception for the International Glass & Clay 2013 was a great sucess!
The collaborative show, organized by Artomatic, the Office of the Secretary of the District of Columbia and DC’s Sister City of Sunderland, England and the University of Sunderland had a great turnout for the first night of the month long event. A number of the UK artists exhibiting in the show were on hand at the opening, and they were able to make connections with collectors and the DC creative community
Below are some photos of the opening night and of the exhibition:

Colin Rennie (foreground) Michael Janis (L) Roger Tye
Colin Rennie talks about his process and influences.
Washington DC collectors contemplate Megan Randall’s ceramic works.
Stephen Beardsell’s glass sculptures are always a favorite.
UK glass artist Robyn Townsend answers questions about her glass artworks on exhibit.
Beautiful ceramic sculptures by Novie Trump.
Glass artwork by UK glass artist Jeffrey Sarmiento and beyond, works by US artists Nancy Donnelly and Audrey Wilson.
UK glass artist Phil Vickery chats with DC collectors.
Artwork by UK glass artist Criss Chaney and ceramic work by US artist Tamara Laird.
Ceramic sculpture by the UK’s Philippa Whiteside.
UK glass artist Roger Tye expresses surprise at what artist Criss Cheney has to say.
Sunderland City International Manager Catherine Auld is happy as Sunderland’s Anne Tye negotiates a sale with a Washington, DC art collector.

The international exhibit will be open to the public thru March 23, 2013. Location is Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20068.
Gallery hours Saturday & Tuesday 12pm-4pm. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 12pm-8pm.

 Click HERE to jump to the exhibit website for more info on special events and artist info.