2017 WGS Year in Review

wgs.2017.year.in.review

A look back at some of our biggest moments of the year and what we’re looking forward to in 2018. This year brought us the first year of Trump’s presidency, a historic solar eclipse and some huge exhibits. Now, as the year draws to a close, WGS blog reflects on some of the happenings that rocked – and to some degree reshaped our place in the glass art world.

January 

The Women’s march held in Washington D.C. on Jan. 21, 2017 was organized after the election of Donald Trump as president of the U.S. to demonstrate solidarity among women, minorities, LGBT and other disenfranchised communities. Glass Art Magazine editor Shawn Waggoner visited the Washington Glass School while in town for the event.

Glass Art Magazine editor Shawn Waggoner was one of the participants in the Womens March in January.

Glass Art Magazine editor Shawn Waggoner (second from left) was one of the participants in the Women’s March in January.

WGS Instructor Debra Ruzinsky was named the new director of the Appalachian Center for Craft. The Appalachian Center for Craft is located in scenic Middle Tennessee near the town of Smithville. The facility was built in 1979 and has spacious studios, gallery, exhibitions, administrative offices, library, student housing and meeting/audio visual rooms.

The Appalachian Center for Craft in Tennessee.

The Appalachian Center for Craft in Tennessee.

Glass Art Magazine featured our Michael Janis in a profiled in their magazine and as part of their podcast series “Talking Out Your Glass“.

Glass Art Magazine featured Michael Janis in the Jan/Feb issue.

Glass Art Magazine featured Michael Janis in the Jan/Feb issue.

February

Washington Glass Studio completed installation of a two-part public art project in Florida. Palm Beach County‘s Art in Public Places awarded WGS the commission to design and fabricate integrated public art sculptures as part of the renovation of an existing facility for the new headquarters for Palm Beach County’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO). The works were installed starting in January and completed in February 2017.

Public art at Florida's West Palm Beach International Airport

Public art at Florida’s West Palm Beach International Airport

March
March featured the opening of “Embracing Narrative” – the joint exhibition of glass works by artists from the Washington Glass School and the Virginia Glass Guild opened this weekend at Virginia’s Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (PACC). Juried by Diane Wright, Curator of Glass, Chrysler Museum of Art and Sheila Giolitti, Mayer Fine Art Gallery, the exhibit kicked off the Glass Art Society’s (GAS) 46th annual conference that was held at the Chrysler Museum and the Perry Glass Studio in June, 2017. embracing_narrative.GAS_conference_norfolk.washington_new_post.studio.glass_.secession.art_.exploring.invite

April

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) invited WGS’ Michael Janis in April to the museum to talk about his artwork that was featured in the exhibit “Mindful: Exploring Mental Health Through Art”. He talked about his glass process and the themes that run thru his work. MOCA_meet_the_artist_Janis_michael.museum.glass_.mental_health.mindful

In April, Habatat Galleries featured works by Washington Glass School artists Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate, Michael Janis and Sean Hennessey at the gallery’s 45th Glass International Award Exhibition.

Erwin Timmers' new cast glass and LED panels were featured at the 45th International.

Erwin Timmers’ new cast glass and LED panels were featured at the 45th International.

May

Washington Glass School co-founder Tim Tate was invited by Glenn Adamson, senior scholar at Yale, to speak at a symposium at Yale University. Tim talked about his work, as well as artists Roberto Lugo and Stephanie Syjuco. Tim Tate talked about how objects differ from other types of evidence, when it comes to histories of ideology and belief.

Tim Tate at Yale conference.

Tim Tate at Yale conference.

June 

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WheatonArts hot shop during Glass Weekend 2017

New Jersey’s WheatonArts opened GlassWeekend 2017– an International Symposium and Exhibition of Contemporary Glass. For 32 years, GlassWeekend brought together the world’s leading glass artists, collectors, galleries, and museum curators at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center for a three-day weekend in June. This year’s demonstrating artists were Matthew Szosz, Rik Allen, and Shelley Muzylowski Allen. The keynote speaker featured Susie Silbert, the new Curator of Modern and Contemporary Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass.

Tim Tate was one of the featured LBGTQ artists in the Liberty Museum show.

Tim Tate was one of the featured LBGTQ artists in the Liberty Museum show.

The National Liberty Museum hosted the nation’s first museum exhibit of studio glass works produced exclusively by artists of the LGBTQ+ community. Each artist explored diverse subjects, methods, and styles using the artistic medium of glass making.

July

Teary-eyed farewell to Our Miss Wilson - artist Trish Kent baked a farewell cake in the shape of Audrey's favorite artistic element - a feather.

Teary-eyed farewell to our Ms Wilson – artist Trish Kent baked a farewell cake in the shape of Audrey’s favorite artistic element – a feather.

The Table-making class was great fun!

The glass table-making class was great fun!

Washington Glass School’s table making class ended with some happy artist/students! Erwin Timmers class made the glass for the tabletops and welded the steel for the table bases.

Audrey Wilson was recognized unstoppable force of nature! The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG) awarded her with their Visionary Scholarship – with it, she was off to Penland for intensive workshops. Glass Art Magazine also featured Audrey with a great profile in the July/August issue! Ms Wilson had to say goodbye to WGS, as she began MFA classes at Ohio’s Kent State.

Glass Art Magazine featured Audrey Wilson in their July/August issue.

Glass Art Magazine featured Audrey Wilson in their July/August issue.

August

Tim Tate outlines the history of the American Studio Glass Movement to the class.

Tim Tate outlines the history of the American Studio Glass Movement to the class.

Baltimore’s Contemporary Glass Art class held at the CCBC visited the Washington Glass School as part of their studies. The group got to meet with many of the artists working from the studio, and were able to see how a school & studio functions.

laura.beth.konopinski.audrey.wilson.studio

LBK gets to work making changes in the Glass School.

Laura Beth Konopinski joined the WGS crew as the new Studio Coordinator coming from the Pittsburgh Glass Center. LBK quickly updated our procedures and has taken over the workings of the busy studio. Ms Konopinski’s artwork has also been noticed, with her work being sought out for exhibition at the Miami Art Week.

“The Great American Eclipse” was the name given to the solar eclipse visible within a band across the entire contiguous United States, passing from the Pacific to the Atlantic coasts. WGS celebrated by having the community over to watch the event using the studio’s protective welding eyewear.

Said WGS Co-Director Michael Janis of the eclipse: "whoa".

Said WGS Co-Director Michael Janis of the eclipse: “whoa”.

September

sean.Hennessey.art.sculptureArtist Sean Hennessey became a proud papa, introducing his best work yet: Atlas Leif. Mazel tov!

The James Renwick Alliance’s (JRA) annual Distinguished Artist Series (DAS) brings notable craft artists from around the country – and in September, the season started off great with Alex Bernstein as the distinguished artist in Glass. Alex took the JRA workshop attendees along a journey from billet to awesome in about 3 hours! The  JRA Distinguished Artist walked the audience thru his signature process of “Bernstein-ing” his work, and everyone loved it!

DAS Alex Bernstein begins his workshop demo at the Washington Glass School. photo by Diane Charnov

DAS Alex Bernstein begins his workshop demo at the Washington Glass School. photo by Diane Charnov

October

Washington Glass School said farewell to Studio Artist Veta Carney as she retired from her law practice and headed out west with her husband to join her son Daniel Carney’s glass studio in Arizona.

Changes at the Glass Studio are best addressed with food.

Changes at the Glass Studio are best addressed with food.

November

The Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design (SOFA) Fair in Chicago this past November was focused on three-dimensional art and design. Artists Tim Tate and Michael Janis were shown at Habatat Galleries space at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

Seen in Chicago SOFA 2017 at Navy Pier

Also in November, the Washington Glass Studio installed the site specific commission for the William Beanes Community Center in Suitland, MD. The internally illuminated artwork was commissioned by Prince Georges County for the new community center named for William Beanes, MD, who played a pivotal role in the history of The Star-Spangled Banner.

The William Beanes Community Center in Suitland, MD.

The William Beanes Community Center in Suitland, MD.

The images were designed and selected by the community after a series of interactive meetings and finalized with the help of local council members. The LED illuminated discs were mounted to a powder coated structure that was mounted to the building structure.

December 

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Tim Tate’s definitive profile by William Warmus in American Craft Magazine.

The December/January 2018 American Craft magazine issue features a story by author/critic William Warmus explores WGS co-founder Tim Tate’s history in the glass world. Titled “The Spaces Between“,  William writes about what drives Tim’s work, and about the development (and controversy) of the Facebook “Glass Secessionism” page.

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Miami Art Week 2017 featured works by WGS crew Michael Janis, Laura Beth Konopinsk, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers & Alum Audrey Wilson.

December 2017 finished up with an amazing feat – ALL the principal staff of the Washington Glass School were featured as part of the worlds largest and most prestigious art fair – Art Basel/ Miami Art Week. The enormous art fair envelopes Miami and one cannot help but be inspired and encouraged.

Looking Ahead

2018 promises many new opportunities – looking ahead on the calendar:

New classes at the glass school! Michigan’s Habatat Galleries will again feature WGS artists in this year’s 46th International Glass Invitational in April. Michael Janis will be teaching an intensive session at Pittsburgh Glass Center in May. Tim Tate’s artwork  will be part of the LA activist art show “Into Action!curated by John Legend, Shepard Fairy, Rosario Dawson, Harry Belafonte and other notable activists, artists and museum curators. Never a dull moment!

Washington Glass School and Studio Wishes All the Best for the Holidays! May the New Year give wings to all of our dreams and let them come true in 2018!

Glass National 2017 Opens at Lorton Workhouse Center

Veta Carney, "Max", mixed media, cast glass. Photo by Pete Duvall.

Veta Carney, “Max”, mixed media, cast glass. Photo by Pete Duvall.

The Workhouse Arts Center is proud to announce its 3rd Annual Glass National exhibition. Glass National is a juried exhibition which promotes and displays the breadth of contemporary glass artwork being created throughout the USA and Canada by highlighting both functional and sculptural works. This year’s juror was installation, video and glass artist, Charlotte Potter.

Juror, Charlotte Potter
Charlotte Potter has focused the field of performance glass in her work as the Glass Studio Manager and Programming Director at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA. An avid educator, Potter is the mentor of the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio Assistantship program and has taught glass and new media courses at Penland School of Crafts and Oxbow. 

Glass National 2017
On View October 28 – January 14, 2018
Reception November 11, 6pm-8pm

W-16, Vulcan Gallery
9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA, 22079
Phone: 703-584-2900
Website: workhousearts.org

“Reflections on Glass” @ Byrne Gallery

Middleburg, VA’s Byrne Gallery will present “Reflections on Glass”, a 9-week exhibit of contemporary art glass by twenty artists. Curated by glass artist and Vice President of the National Capital Art Glass GuildEmily Pezzulich, the exhibition features works in blown glass, flameworked glass, coldworked glass, kilnformed glass, stained glass and glass sculpture. This exhibit is the first time the Middleburg art gallery will focus an entire show on one medium – glass.The exhibit opens on Thursday, May 5th and continues through Sunday, June 26th, 2016. 

Reflections on Glass is also one of the five stops in the Art Passport Challenge, during Middleburg’s “Art in the Burg,” event, a town-wide arts celebration that will take place on Saturday, May 21st from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Artists participating in Reflections on Glass include:

Rhoda Baer, Judith Finn Conway, Kevin O’Toole, Nancy Weisser, Paul Swartwood , Michelle Rubin, Sherry Selevan, Ruth Gowell, Ursula Marcum, Emily Pezzulich, Carol Sontheimer, Nancy Kronstadt, Sherry Hawkins and Veta Carney, Allan Jaworski, Carol Hurwitch, Jane Hartman, Alla Sharkova, Jerre Davidson, and Daniel Carney. All of the artists participating have local, national and international followings.

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Veta Carney; “Sticks & Stones” cast uranium glass, mixed media

Reflections On Glass

 May 5th – June 26th 2016

Artist Reception Saturday, May 7th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.   

There will be a second event in June with demonstrations of glass techniques and gallery talks by the artists on Saturday, June 4th from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.

 

The Byrne Gallery byrne-logo

7 West Washington Street, Middleburg, VA 20118

Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment only, Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Contact the Byrne Gallery for more information at (540) 687-6986.

 

NCAGG “See The Light” @ VisArts Gibbs St Gallery

ncaggThe National Capitol Art Glass Guild (NCAGG) has a juried member show opening in Rockville, MD.

The show, titled “See The Light” will be at the Gibbs Street Gallery at VisArts in Rockville, MD from April 1 to May 1, 2016.

Congratulations to WGS artists whose work was selected: Veta Carney & Patricia Kent

Trish Kent, Dress Series, kilnformed glass

Trish Kent, Dress Series, kilnformed glass

Veta Carney, "Ursa Major". cast, blown, sandblasted and lampworked glass, ultraviolet light. photo: Pete Duvall

Veta Carney, “Ursa Major”. cast, blown, sandblasted and lampworked glass, ultraviolet light. photo: Pete Duvall

The NCAGG Exhibit Jurors:

Pati Young (Board member of the American Craft Council, art collector), 

Jack Devine (Principal Partner of Artists Circle Fine Art, Member of the VisArts Artist Advisory Council, VisArts Board of Directors, and Chair of the Gallery Committee),and

Kari Minnick (Internationally recognized glass artist and teacher)

See the Light

Gibbs Street Gallery

155 Gibbs Street, Rockville, MD  20850

Opening Reception: Friday, April 8, 7 – 9 PM

Artists Talk and Demonstration: Sunday, April 24, 2 PM

Workhouse Glass National 2015

lorton.glass.national.maurine_littleton.2015.usa.art.virginiaLorton, Virginia’s Workhouse Arts Center opened its 1st Annual Workhouse Glass National Exhibition reception this past weekend. The exhibit was created from an “Open Call” for functional and/or sculptural glass artworks, juried by the legendary gallerist, Maurine Littleton.

Featuring a range of contemporary glass artwork currently being created throughout the United States of America, Washington Glass School is proud that works by two WGS Resident Artists, Veta Carney and Diane Cooper Cabe were among the artwork selected for the exhibit. Congratulation to all the artists!

Artists exhibiting:
Paul Heller, Elizabeth James, Sandi Martina, Nancy Nicholson, Biba Schutz, Barbara Atkinson, Suellen Black, Diane Cooper Cabe, Veta Carney, Eli Cecil, Lauren Cummings,, Dick Ditore, Jean Fernandes, Rhonda Gilbert, Charlie Holden, Jaye Houle, Benjamin Johnson, Winn Jones, Rollin Karg, Laura Beth Konopinski, Andrew Madvin, Ursula Marcum, Jennifer Nauck, Steven Ramsey, Mary Richardson, Scott Slagerman, Paul Swartwood, Natalie Tyler and Janet Wittenberg

Workhouse Glass National 2015

Now thru  – January 17, 2016

9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079

Artwork By Attorneys? Who Got Framed?!

Congratulations to Washington Glass School Studio Artist Veta Carney – her work was selected for the “Hang the Lawyers” Exhibit – a juried gallery exhibition to be held at both Washington ArtWorks’ galleries showcasing artwork created by attorneys. Photography, painting, sculpture, mixed media and more will be featured in this exhibition.

Veta Carney, "Trickster",  2015, fused glass, 22" x 22"

Veta Carney, “Trickster” (detail), 2015, fused glass, 22″ x 22″

The show was juried by John Mason, Board President of Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, and Missy Loewe, CEO and President of Washington ArtWorks. This show is a fundraiser for Washington ArtWorks and Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, and the night will feature a silent auction.

veta.carney.glassIn case you have not been by the Glass School recently – an introduction to one of our newest Studio Artists is in order!

Veta Carney is a former Assistant United States Attorney and is a criminal defense attorney in practice with her husband with whom she handles serious felony and other criminal cases in the Superior Court and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

Veta started making stained glass windows while in college. Over the years she added jewelry and fused glass artwork to her repertoire of skills. She has been expanding the scale of her artworks – going larger here at the Washington Glass School and also in her studio in Tucson, AZ. Her most recent works combine painting and fused glass. Veta is also explores mixing flame-worked glass with other media that she creates with her son, Daniel Carney, a noted glass artist in Arizona. She is a member of the Northern Virginia Handcrafters’ Guild, the National Capitol Area Glass Guild (NCAGG), and the Arizona Glass Alliance.  

Hang the Lawyers 

Friday, April 3rd – Monday, April 20th 2015
Washington ArtWorks, 12276 Wilkins Ave, Rockville, MD 20852

Opening Reception on Friday, April 10th from 6-9pm