Category Archives: washington DC

Hill Center Regional Juried Show 2026 Features WGS Artists

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We’re proud to share that Washington Glass School resident artists John Henderson and Patricia de Poel Wilberg have been selected for the Hill Center Galleries 2026 Regional Juried Exhibition, on view from January 21 through May 2, 2026.

This highly competitive juried exhibition highlights outstanding artists from across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and we’re thrilled to see two WGS artists recognized among this regional group. The exhibition was juried by Claude L. Elliott, independent curator, oral historian, and long-time advocate for artists in the DMV—making the selection especially meaningful.

Patricia de Poel Wilberg; ” For Yayoi Kusama”, fused glass

Patricia de Poel Wilberg will be showing a bold fused-glass portrait inspired by Yayoi Kusama, rendered in vivid color with layered dot elements that echo Kusama’s iconic visual language while firmly grounded in Patricia’s own glass practice.

John Henderson working in the studio.

John Henderson’s selected work continues his exploration of material, process, and form, representing the depth of approaches developed within our resident artist community.

The Opening Reception will take place at Hill Center on Wednesday, January 21, from 6:30–8:30pm, offering the public a chance to meet the artists and juror and experience the exhibition firsthand.All works in the exhibition will be available for purchase and can be viewed both in the Hill Center Galleries and online at HillCenterDC.org. Congratulations to John and Patricia—we’re delighted to see your work reaching a wider audience.

Hill Center Galleries 2026 Regional Juried Show – January 21 through May 2, 2026

Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital
921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20003

Posted in artists of the washington glass school, glass art, john henderson, patricia de poel wilberg, Uncategorized, washington DC, washington glass school

🎥 Inside Washington Glass School | We Art DC

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We recently welcomed Wild Side Media and curators from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (CAH) to Washington Glass School for a filmed studio visit and conversation as part of CAH’s We Art DC program.

The video features interviews with Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, and Michael Janis, offering a brief look inside our Mount Rainier, Maryland facility as we approach our 25th anniversary. The discussion touches on the school’s history, the diverse community of artists who work here, and our ongoing mission to support artists through education, collaboration, and access to professional opportunities.

This visit is part of a larger initiative by CAH to celebrate Washington, DC’s creative community and highlight the resources available to artists across the city. The video serves as a preview for a longer interview that will be shared in the coming months.

We are proud to be part of a regional arts ecosystem that values mentorship, experimentation, and community engagement — and grateful to CAH and Wild Side Media for helping share the incredible story of Washington Glass School.

Posted in 25th anniversary Washington Glass School and Studio, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass

Washington Glass School Turns 25

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In September 2026, the Washington Glass School marks 25 years of teaching, making, breaking, rebuilding, and believing in glass.

WGS was founded in 2001, by artists Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers, and held its very first class on September 13, 2001 — just two days after the attack on the United States. At a moment when much felt uncertain, a group of artists and students chose to gather, work with fire, and make something with their hands.

Washington Glass School 1336 Half Street, SE, Washington, DC in 2003

That instinct to keep going forward has defined the studio ever since.

First class listing brochure

What began as the glass program at the Millennium Arts Center at 65 I Street SW (now the Rubell Museum) moved in 2003 to the Washington Sculpture Center. In that same summer, an intrepid, lapsed architect named Michael Janis walked in and took his first class. By 2005, he was named co-director alongside Tim & Erwin — just as the studio was given its marching orders to vacate Capitol Hill due to eminent domain and the arrival of the Washington Nationals.

In 2006, WGS relocated to Mount Rainier, Maryland, where it has now spent 20 years building a community that extends far beyond the hot shop walls.

Along the way:

  • Nearly 6,000 students have passed through the studio
  • WGS has organized landmark exhibitions such as Glass 3 (2006) and International Glass & Clay (2013)
  • Both Janis and Tate have become Fulbright Fellows
  • The studio has weathered Artomatic dramas, funding cycles, kiln rebuilds, and more than a few cracked molds
  • And WGS has created major public works, including the monumental glass doors for the Library of Congress Adams Building, along with numerous civic and community-based projects throughout the region

In September 2026, the anniversary year will culminate in a major exhibition and celebration at the Brentwood Arts Center — a space that, in a twist of history, was once slated to become WGS’s new home back in 2006 before Hurricane Katrina-related construction delays reshaped those plans.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing stories from the archives, voices from the studio, images of works-in-progress, and reflections from the many artists who have made WGS what it is.

This isn’t just a look back.
It’s a living history — and an invitation to be part of what comes next.

Posted in anniversary, mount rainier, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass | Tagged

Name Change in the Works?

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Kennedy center for the arts name change continues onward to washington glass school
Exterior signage, revised.

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Washington Glass School Bored of Directors today unanimously approved a surprise name enhancement, resulting in the newly designated TRUMP Washington Glass School.

According to sources close to the kiln, the name change was unexpected by all parties, including the individual whose name now appears in gleaming gold.

“This was brought up by one of the very distinguished board members,” the School noted. “There are a lot of board members. They voted on it. Unanimously. Many people are saying it’s very reflective.”

The honoree was reportedly surprised and honored by the decision.

Classes, public art projects, and molten activities will continue as usual—now with extra brilliance, tremendous shine, and absolutely no subtlety whatsoever.

Posted in washington, washington DC | Tagged , , , , ,

DC Art Now!

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Work by WGS Directors Michael Janis and Tim Tate are up for consideration in 2026 DC Art Bank

Directors Michael Janis and Tim Tate Selected for FY26 DC Art Bank Exhibition “DC Art Now”

The Washington Glass School is proud to announce that Directors Michael Janis and Tim Tate have been selected by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) for the prestigious FY26 DC Art Bank Program! Their works will be featured in this year’s annual exhibition, “DC Art Now,” highlighting the creativity and diversity of artists living and working across the metropolitan region.

About the DC Art Bank Program

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities supports local visual artists and nonprofit art organizations by acquiring fine art for its Art Bank Collection, which began in 1986 and now boasts over 3,000 artworks. These pieces are loaned to District Government agencies for display throughout public areas and government offices, making art accessible to all and enriching civic life.

“DC Art Now” Exhibition Details

This year’s “DC Art Now” exhibit showcases the FY26 Art Bank finalists, featuring an array of exciting emerging and established artists in the DC metropolitan area. The exhibition includes photography, sculpture, painting, printmaking, textiles, and more—reflecting the vibrant spirit of our creative community.

  • Location: 200 I (Eye) Street, SE Gallery
  • Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
  • Admission: FREE and open to the public

Opening Reception & Celebration

Join us for a reception to honor all Art Bank finalists:

Meet local artists, see stunning works in person, and celebrate the best of DC art!

Support Local Art

Congratulations again to Michael Janis and Tim Tate for this remarkable achievement and for contributing to the District’s vibrant cultural landscape! Stop by the gallery to experience their work and support the visual arts in our city.

For more information about the Art Bank Program and the exhibition, visit the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Program page.

Posted in DC, DC Arts, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, washington DC

WOMEN ARTISTS OF THE DMV – A Historic 16-Venue, 300+ Artist Exhibition

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Washington Glass School is proud to share that several of our artists are featured in the groundbreaking exhibition “Women Artists of the DMV”!

This fall, curator and artist F. Lennox “Lenny” Campello launches a historic 16-venue, 300+ artist survey across DC, Maryland, and Virginia—celebrating the creativity and impact of women artists in our region.

WGS artists, including April Shelford, Trish Kent, Diane Cabe, Erin Antognoli, Patricia de Poel Wilberg, and Kate Barfield are amongst the talented voices included in this unprecedented show—equal parts cultural intervention and historical record.

📖 Read more via East City Art: https://www.eastcityart.com/features/dmvwomen2025/

Posted in DC, DC Arts, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, dc creates!, DCCAH, socially conscious art, washington DC, women with whips | Tagged

Eclipse exhibit Artist Talk at the Athenaeum in Alexandria, VA this Sunday, February 23 at 2 PM

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The Athenaeum’s “Sculpture Invitational” Curated by Alison Sigethy, the 11-artist show is heavy on ceramic or glass works, including pieces by Washington Glass School principals Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, and Michael Janis.

Athenaeum “Eclipse” artists Lori Katz and Michael Janis chat at opening of show.

Art critic Mark Jenkins writes in his review for the online DisCerning Eye about the show: “Tate’s “Vitruvian Lenticular” is literally mutable, since its Leonardo-inspired figures alternately reach to each other or actually touch, depending on the viewer’s vantage point. One of Janis’s glass-panel portraits offers multiple views of a face, suggesting jagged facets of a single personality…” and “…The sense of motion is palpable, as it is with Timmers’s upright circles of recycled glass, jagged and swirling. “Eclipse” showcases solid objects that aspire, or at least allude, to fluidity.”

great art in washington, dc area
Artist Erwin Timmers describes his artwork process and themes.

Artist Talk: Sunday, February 23, 2 pm

Eclipse

An Athenaeum Sculpture Invitational

January 16, 2025 – February 23, 2025

Artist Talk: Sunday, February 23, 2 pm

Participating artists: Michael Janis, Lori Katz, Mike Price, Carol Prusa, Sarah Hood Salomon, Salih Zeki Sayar, Murat Sener, Michael Enn Sirvet, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Maduka Uduh

Curated by Alison Sigethy

Reviews of Eclipse exhibit :

Metro Weekly

The Zebra

DisCerning Eye

Posted in athenaeum, warm glass, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass, wgs contemporary | Tagged ,

Commemoration of the Slaves who Built the US Capitol

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Glass art by Michael Janis

The recent order from President Trump to rescind DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs has led to a noticeable downplaying of Black History Month across government agencies. The U.S. State Department, for instance, has prohibited public events or messages celebrating the month, which has been a staple of American culture since the 1970s.

Michael Janis’ design for DC Ward 5 Memorial

In contrast, local organizations in Washington, DC, are stepping up to honor Black history and contributions. The Lamond Riggs Library Friends, in collaboration with the DC Office of Planning, is hosting Foundations of Freedom: Recognizing the Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol. This special event will introduce WGS Director Michael Janis’ design for a new DC Memorial to Honor the Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol for Ward 5. Along with DC’s Office of Planning staff, Michael will offer an overview of a public art proposal. The program will include storytelling, a discussion of the design process, and a Q&A session to engage the community.

Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 1 pm – 3 pm @ Lamond-Riggs DC Public Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave NE, WDC.

For more information – click on link to jump to DCPL site: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/12875262

Posted in african american glass, american craft, american glass, architect of the capitol, architecture, black artists of DC, bullseye, creative economy, creative glass, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, future of glass, glass architecture., history project, kiln-formed, martin luther king jr, michael janis, mike janis, Public Art, studio art glass, studio artist, US Department of State, warm glass, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, 玻璃艺术 | Tagged ,

Washington Glass School: A Legacy of Art, Resilience, and Community

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Washington Glass School ca 2004, located in the Washington Sculpture Center in SE DC.

In the aftermath of the 2000 Artomatic show, renowned glass artist Tim Tate and metal/eco-artist Erwin Timmers felt the need to create a space for the growing glass art community in Washington, DC. Their solution was the founding of what was first called “Meltdown”—the future Washington Glass School. The school’s very first class, held on September 13, 2001, came in the shadow of one of the most tragic days in American history. While the founders initially considered canceling the session, the overwhelming desire of the students to move forward created an indelible bond. The class became a healing space, where sadness and fear were channeled into creativity and connection.

Meltdown Studio class schedule 2001
Early light fixture class (ca 2002) shows off their finished works.

From those early days, the Washington Glass School (WGS) has embraced community and resilience as core values. In 2003, the school relocated from its original home—now the Rubell Museum in DC’s Southwest neighborhood—to the Washington Sculpture Center. Michael Janis, an innovative artist who joined the school that year, became a director by 2005. His leadership, alongside Tate and Timmers, continued to steer the school as it grew in reputation.

Future WGS Director Michael Janis (center) in his first class at Washington Glass School, 2003.
Michael Janis works with students from DC’s Stuart Hobson Middle School (ca 2004).

In 2006, a turning point came when the school’s building was taken by eminent domain to make way for the Washington Nationals’ baseball stadium. Unfazed, the WGS team moved just outside the District to Mount Rainier, Maryland. It’s been their home ever since, where they continue to teach, collaborate, and create public art.

WGS Directors (L-R Michael Janis, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers)

WGS has evolved into a dynamic hub for artistic exploration, encouraging artists to challenge the conventional limits of glass as an art medium. Their collaborative spirit thrives, with glass artists working alongside creatives from other disciplines, producing public art that speaks to the heart of the community.

kelly towles, washington glass school
In 2024, DC artist Kelly Towles painted a mural “I ❤ Glass” on the facade of the glass school.

Posted in " glass studio", american glass, artists of the washington glass school, erwin timmers, fine art, float glass, fused float glass, gateway arts district, glass education, glass school. glass class, Tim Tate, twenty first century glass, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass