The Washington Glass School

Florida’s Imagine Museum has WGS’ Michael Janis’ glass artwork in its permanent collection, their “American Masters”, – and recently posted a video snippet of an interview with him on their Instagram page.

Click on image to jump to Imagine Museum Instagram

Imagine Museum is a new fine art institution in St. Petersburg, Florida. Its primary collection displays the explosive growth and diversification of the studio glass movement in America since the 1960′s, and extends to new directions in contemporary glass.

On Memorial Day we remember and honor those who died while serving our country – wishing all a meaningful day. Artwork credits: Trish Kent – detail from her “Divided States of America” series; photo Pete Duvall.

May the magic and the wonder of the holiday season stay with you throughout the coming year!

The Magpie’s Hoard by Robert Wynne
Blown and float glass, bronze and steel; 110 H x 65 W x 23 D cm
Born in Yarram, Victoria, Robert Wynne studied Visual Arts at Monash University, Majoring in Ceramics, before going on to complete a Master’s Degree in glass at California State University. On returning to Australia, Robert established his career as an independent glass artist based in Sydney.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness, and spectacular success!

Studio 3807 films WGS Directors Tim Tate and Michael Janis: Prepare to be quadruple terminated!

The Gateway Arts District will be welcoming a new apartment development – Studio 3807. Besides offering artist studio space in the new mixed use development, they are displaying works by local artists as part of a permanent collection and as part of a series of rotating art and artists talks organized by John Paradiso. The developer has stated that they want to be an integral part of the Arts District.

As part of their marketing efforts, Studio 3807 has filmed videos featuring Gateway Arts District artists – including Washington Glass School. 

Get your popcorn ready for the release of the major motion picture!

A few Uroboros workers will have the options of transferring to California to work for Oceanside. About 40 people work at Uroboros. photo April Baer

Oregon glass makers have gotten skewered in the news this past year. 2016 was the year one modest Forest Service research project turned the Northwest’s storied art glass industry upside down. Samples taken near two Portland art glass factories were shown to carry dangerously high concentrations of heavy metals. These companies make supplies for glass artists all over the world. 

After a tumultuous year of regulatory and public scrutiny, Uroboros Glass founder and owner Eric Lovell is spending this winter preparing to send his 44-year-old art glass business, Uroboros Glass, into new hands. Lovell made the decision this fall to retire and sell his business to a California-based company, Oceanside GlassTile.

Click on link HERE to read KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio’s (PSPR) April Baer interview with Eric Lovell as he prepares to hand off Uroboros to California’s Oceanside GlassTile. While the company has some Oregon connections, it means the loss of some 40 Portland-area jobs to Oceanside, whose production facilities are in Mexico.