Category Archives: washington glass school

Washington Glass School – The First 10 Years

Posted on by |

>

The Washington DC area has become internationally renowned as an emerging center of glass art. At the forefront of this charge is the Washington Glass School, where the instructors, artists and students have brought narrative and content into glass, dragging it away from decorative craft and into the rarefied atmosphere of the contemporary fine art scene. The Washington Glass School has produced artists whose art can be found in museums and collections world-wide and is advancing the Studio Glass Movement with its explorations of narrative, technology and skills. This represents the largest and most important movement in the Washington art scene since the Color School of the 70’s/80’s.

This May, the Washington Glass School celebrates a momentous milestone – its 10th year. DC’s Long View Gallery presents “Artists of the Washington Glass School – The First Ten Years” showcasing over 20 artists and 10 years of integrating glass into the contemporary art dialogue. While it recognizes the past and present, The First 10 Years is intended to instigate – and celebrate – the new directions contemporary glass is exploring through various artistic metaphors.

Featured artists include: Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers, Elizabeth Mears, Syl Mathis, Lea Topping, Robert Kincheloe, Alison Sigethy, Dave D’Orio, Anne Plant, Jeffery Zimmer, Teddie Hathaway, Jackie Greeves, Kirk Waldroff, Debra Ruzinsky, Tex Forrest, Diane Cabe, Robert Wiener, Nancy Donnelly, Sean Hennessey, Cheryl Derricotte, Jennifer Lindstrom, Michael Mangiafico, Allegra Marquart and m.l.duffy.

In bringing The First 10 Years to Washington, DC, Long View asks artists and audience alike to cast aside traditional notions of glass art and participate in a new form of dialogue; one that looks to the future and not the past.

The Washington Glass School Movement has focused almost entirely on the narrative content aspects of glass, breaking away from the technique-driven vessel movement of the last millennium. By focusing on cross-over sculptural work, mixed media and new media (such as interactive electronics and video), the impact this movement has had on the work of contemporary art has been felt internationally. This is the perfect chance to see a cross section of artists who have led this evolution.

Washington Glass School: The First 10 Years

LongView Gallery

1234 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC
May 19 – June 19, Opening Reception, May 19th, 6:30-8:30 PM

For more information

http://www.longviewgallerydc.com/

email: info@longviewgallery.com
(202)232-4788

Posted in 10th anniversary, longview gallery, washington glass school

A Bit of A Tease

Posted on by |

>

Next month, the LongView Gallery will present : “Artists of the Washington Glass School – The First Ten Years“. In bringing The First Ten Years to Washington, DC, LongView Gallery asks artists and audience alike to cast aside traditional notions of glass art and participate in a new form of dialogue; one that looks to the future and not the past. This exhibition is still in the process of being curated by the gallery, but one of the works submitted is so amazing, below is a sneak peak of the show.

Elizabeth Ryland Mears and William “Tex” Forrest have created a collaborative sculpture piece. The illuminated work is over 6′ tall, made of flameworked glass, steel wire & fabric.


Liz Mears & Tex Forrest’ design sketch

Full-size sample

Liz & Tex at the glass school for a photo shoot of the finished sculpture

Elizabeth Mears shows the tactile detail of the glass….”embellishments”

The finished work – photography by Anything Photographic.
Detail of the lampworked glass

The First Ten Years is intended to celebrate – and instigate– the new directions contemporary glass is exploring through various artistic metaphors. Featured artists include: Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers, Elizabeth Mears, Syl Mathis, Lea Topping, Robert Kincheloe and others.

Washington Glass School: The First 10 Years

LongView Gallery

1234 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC
May 19 – June 19,2011

Artist Reception, May 19th, 6:30-8:30 PM

Collaborative Art Project to Commemorate WGS’ 10th Anniversary

Posted on by |

>
from drab…

to FAB!

Artists from the Washington Glass School are working together on a collaborative outdoor artwork to commemorate our 10th year anniversary. Artists, instructors, teaching assistants, and friends of the glass school are helping create a wall installation that, while being a singular work of art, expresses the individuals that make up the glass school. This weekend, the glass school held a “play date” to get many of the school’s artists together to make the artwork and have a great time socializing. Here are some pix from the day:

Laurie Brown working with recycled glass.

Leslie Beil working on her design.

Kay Janis gets extra special attention from the instructor. She also gets points for wearing earrings made from “panda-glass” (the remnants from the dichroic glass that was used in the making of the Washington, DC Commission on the Arts 2004 public art project “Pandamania” – where the Glass School had made a glass mosaic covered panda that sat in front of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.)


Anne Plant carefully aligns her glass elements prior to fusing.

Erwin Timmers works with recycled elements to reference …recycling.

Some of the tiles after fusing.

The installation of the exterior grids will happen at the school’s anniversary date. More images of the panels will be added as we continue with the making of the artwork – the fun will be the guessing on which artist made which panel.

Posted in 10th anniversary, Art Project, washington glass school

New Spring & Summer Class Schedule

Posted on by |

>It has been said that Spring is Nature’s way of saying: Let’s Party! – so why fight it? In the spirit of the season – here is the NEW Washington Glass School class schedule! The Lampworking Schedule will be online shortly.

Class 1046 – Turning Your Wood – Cuts and Lino – Cuts Into Cast Glass Panels

This incredible process will allow your wood cuts or lino cuts to be duplicated in a cast glass panel with out harming your original cut piece! What a miraculous way for that printing technique to be used architecturally! You can also print from the glass plate. Imagine a wall of your wood cuts all translated into glass, then gridded out within in a metal frame….and made into a 10 ft high x 20 ft long wall. Or as simple a single back-lit glass panel! ….The possibilities are myriad! This is the perfect way for a lino cut printer to enter the world of large scale public art or to incorporate a quality of translucency into their work. The process is very simple to learn ……. and it will expand your artistic dialog exponentially …. All while using your own imagery!

Instructor Kirk Waldroff
Dates Saturdays April 2,9 & 16
Time 1pm – 5pm
Tuition $300

kirk.waldroff.print_paper

Class 1101 – Lighting Solutions For Your Home

This class will bring some serious color to your life, and brighten up your living space. This is the perfect way to use glass in a most practical application: ceiling lamps. You will design your own colored glass, determine your own shape, and have your choice of several different hanging or mounting options. For considerably less than the price of a designer fixture, you can put your own name on one. Tuition includes glass, mold materials, and mounting hardware. No glass experience is needed, and electrical experience will be provided.

Instructor Erwin Timmers
Dates Wed Evenings in May 4,11 & 18
Time 7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition $300

pendant light

Class 1102 – Beginner’s Glass Lovers Weekend

Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of a professional glass artist you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping and dimensional kiln casting. Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects… this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass… and you will leave with several very cool items! Offered 2 times in the spring/summer schedule.

Instructor Robert Kincheloe, Tim Tate
Dates
  • Session 1102A Sat/Sun May 21 & 21
  • Session 1102B Sat/Sun July 16 & 17
Time 1 pm to 5 pm each day
Tuition $300 per student (all materials included)

kilnformed glass

Class 1103 – Going Green – Recycled Glass Art Workshop

Green up your life by doing something creative to help the environment! This is an exploration into using recycled glass to make sculptural pieces, architectural elements, and tableware. We will delve into multiple techniques, including casting, fusing and slumping. Glass chemistry, coloration, and firing temperatures will be explained for each particular application. It is a fantastic way to learn aspects of any warm glass work while focusing on recycling! Once you start down the path of recycled glass, you will see more and more opportunities for experimentation around you. No prior experience is necessary – you are encouraged to bring in materials you’d like to try…and you will leave with several very cool items!

Instructor Erwin Timmers
Dates Wed Evenings in June (1,8,15)
Time 7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition $350

recycled glass

Class 1104 – Hot Class Casting with Glass Inclusions and Cast Metal Bases

Here is this summer’s fun and unusual crossover class! Start here at the Washington Glass School making molds from clay or lost wax. After those parts are cast and cleaned up….we next head to our sister school, DC Glassworks and ladle cast glass over those inclusions and then pour molten aluminum for the bases. This is one intense class! While it will be a lot of work…..the results will be purely sculptural.

Instructor Dave D’Orio, Tim Tate & Erwin Timmers
Dates Sat June 25 & Sat July 9
Time 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition $400

Class 1105 – Beginner’s MIG Welding

Ever wondered about learning to weld? Want to impress your friends, your older brother and that cute bartender? It’s easier than you think! In three evenings you will learn how to lay a bead, and handle all sorts of sharp and dangerous tools. You will be able to complete a small project and leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending and finishing. And you will get dirty!

Instructor Erwin Timmers
Dates Wednesday evenings in June(29) and July (6, 13)
Time 7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition $325

erwin.timmers.eco.art

Class 1106 – Bas- Relief In Glass / Overview of Deep Relief Dry Plaster Casting

Tired of working flat? Want an easy way to get some real depth into your glass? Here’s a fun class where you will learn one of the easiest methods of kilncasting sheet glass to achieve bas-relief sculpture. This incredibly versatile method has endless fine art and architectural applications. In this two day class, we will discuss different types of glass and their firing schedules. Working with color and how it can affect dimensional casting will also be explored. Bring items you may want to cast with this method or choose from our image library. All materials and firings included.

Instructor Michael Janis
Dates Sat/Sun Aug 20 & 21
Time 2pm – 5pm
Tuition $350

Class Class 1107 – Studio Access/Open Studio

Already know the basics of casting or fusing? Open Studio gives each student the opportunity to work independently in a world class studio. Tuition includes a kiln firing per session, clear base glass and colored scrap glass, use of studio tools.

Instructor Studio Staff
Dates Wed./Thurs./Sat (call to confirm appointment)
Time 1pm – 5pm
Tuition 4 sessions – $300

jon cofield working in the glass school

PayPal Online Registration for Spring / Summer Classes. Scroll thru list for class numbers:

Posted in class schedule, classes, cool class, dc art class, fun class, spring class list, summer class list, washington glass school

Glass Sparks: Jackie Greeves

Posted on by |

>

Entre Nous

Glass, kumbu, copper wire, copper electroformed perimeter
15″ x 19 1/2″ x 1/2″

Jackie Greeves

In the past thirty years, Jackie Greeves has evolved from being a nationally recognized studio potter, an enamelist whose work was exhibited both nationally and internationally, and an award winning glass artist. What has remained consistent has been the artist reaching for the emotional presentation of themes from her early training in Japan.


Quand Je Pense
Glass, .999 silver foil, .999 silver wire, copper wire, copper electroformed
perimeter
14 1/2″ x 14″ x 1/2″

In the 1960’s, she received a degree in Biology and Chemistry and worked as a bacteriologist for the Food and Drug Administration. In the early ‘70’s she spent three years studying ceramics in Tokyo, Japan with master Yamagami Norikazu. During her time as a ceramicist, she was a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant for her work in clay and was a frequent exhibitor in both the Philadelphia Craft Show and the Smithsonian Craft Show.

During the 1980’s, Jackie also served as advisor for the Mayor’s Committee on Art and Culture in Baltimore, Maryland; as exhibit director of the Tomlinson Craft Collection in Baltimore; and as assistant to the Dean, Maryland College of Art and Design in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In the 1990’s, Jackie began metalsmithing and enameling at Montgomery College, where she is presently an adjunct professor in the art department.

From the 2000’s until present, Jackie has pursued the use of glass in combination with enamel and its techniques, is presently working in metal and glass creating small sculptures evoking a sense of depth and emotion. Jackie has taught courses on copper electroforming at the Washington Glass School over the years

Jackie will be one of the artists exhibiting at DC’s Longview Gallery juried invitational exhibition showcasing the people and work of the artists of the Washington Glass School.

Washington Glass School: The First 10 Years

LongView Gallery

1234 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC
May 19 – June 19, Opening Reception, May 19th, 6:30-8:30 PM

Posted in glass spark, jackie greeves, longview gallery, washington glass school

Glass Sparks: Elizabeth Ryland Mears

Posted on by |

>

Elizabeth Ryland Mears is an amazing, award winning, studio glass artist that is a master with flameworked glass. Flameworking is a technique of working with hot glass. Rods or tubes of glass are held in the flame of a bench torch where the glass is softened and then shaped by sculpting and/or blowing. The forms created are limited only by the artist’s creativity and skill, in addition to gravity and the sizes of the bench torch and annealing kiln.

Elizabeth has studied and taught lampworking techniques at Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School, The Studio of Corning Museum of Glass, and has been involved with the Washington Glass School for many years. Her instructional book of borosilicate glass techniques “Flameworking“, was published in 2003 by LARK Books.

The creative work of Elizabeth Mears incorporates several different series; each one relates to and informs the others. In her Artist Statement, Elizabeth informs the viewers of her work that she ”uses the lexicon of Nature images to portray her relationship to her inner and outer worlds”. Her “Bundle of Twigs” series clearly expresses this theme, as does her “Basket” series.

Elizabeth Mears Basket of Past Dreams and Future Fears
Each bundle represents some aspect of her inner world or the outer world, as she relates to it. Joseph Campbell in The Power of Myth with Bill Moyers also speaks of this relationship, “The seat of the soul is there where the inner and outer worlds meet”.

In her “Shelter” series the glass structure of the shelters serve as the protective shell for the work of her inner journey. Each shelter has a different theme.


Elizabeth Mears Shelter For Endings That Beget Beginnings

One such shelter created at a time of transition in Elizabeth’s creative life is entitled, “Shelter for Endings That Beget Beginnings”. The inner objects of this shelter are composed of hollow blown egg shapes which contain the charred remains of cedar wood shavings collected at Pilchuck Glass School from the 30th Anniversary Totem carved while she was at the summer session. The egg shapes can represent new life, and the charred remains, the death of the old life. Liz has commented that her time away at Pilchuck was instrumental in her personal transformation.

In 2002 Liz began a series, which started as a collaboration with her daughter L. Lindsey Mears, a maker of artist books and prints. Elizabeth created the glass sculpture, which later became “books” with her daugher providing the content through her photographs and poetry. Elizabeth is now the sole creator of the glass books, which contain the poetry that she writes. The photographic images chosen are symbols, which represent the experience of her poetry.


Elizabeth Mears Breath

A later series began after the death of Elizabeth’s mother in 2006. One day after that death Mears learned that her mother had been adopted as a newborn. She had never shared with any of her four children this secret she carried and no information exists about her birth family. Soon after this revelation, Liz learned many other family secrets, which prompted a continuing series of glass and mixed media pieces dealing with various aspects of the secrets we each consign to the dark recesses of our lives. In the process of making these pieces and contemplating secrets as a universal theme, Elizabeth looks at how the secrets of life often bind us together more than the parts of our lives which are shared openly. According to Campbell, “…the experience of eternity right here and now, in all things, whether thought of as good or as evil, is the function of life”.


Elizabeth Mears Secrets They Sprout Up and Burst

Liz felt a strong connection to the comment by Joseph Campbell, “If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you”. She was struck by the similarity to a statement she has included in her own writings for many years.

In 2008, Mears was asked by LARK Books to be one of ten master artists to write a chapter for the book, The Penland Book of Glass. In her chapter, Elizabeth writes the following about her personal philosophy of living a creative life, “I am a proponent of the philosophy that when we are born, we come to Earth with a personality and a set of gifts, propensities, and abilities. If we pay attention to them, they lead us along a path to fulfillment. When those things we feel passionate about energize us, energy flows out and then returns to us, altered in some form by its journey. This energy creates a positive dynamic in all directions, reaching and influencing an ever enlarging circle”.

Through making her glass objects and meeting other makers and lovers of glass and sculpture, poetry and photography, the circle of energy continues to grow, and, as Campbell says, “doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be”.


Elizabeth Mears and Robert Kinchloe review glass projects at Washington Glass School.

Elizabeth will be one of the featured artists at Longview Gallery ‘s exhibition in honor of Washington Glass School’s 10 year anniversary. Click HERE to jump to Elizabeth Mears website.

Posted in 10th anniversary, elizabeth ryland mears, glass spark, liz mears, sculptural flamework, washington glass school

December Sculpture Market

Posted on by |

>

The Washington Glass School proudly presents: Artworks, Sculpture, Fine Art Furniture and other handmade goods by some of the area’s finest artists in the December Sculpture Market!

See some of the new directions the artists of the Washington Glass School are moving the traditional craft with integration of modern process, mixed media, and narrative.Some of the artists showing include: Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate, Elizabeth Mears, Chris Shea, Allegra Marquart, Michael Janis, Nancy Donnelly, Robert Kincheloe, Sean Hennessey and Rania Hassan.
Music, Demos, Class Specials and more are on the agenda for the day!

The recent Glass & Steel Sculptural Development class will present their final projects in one of the galleries at the school – this semester’s class has created some of the most impressive works yet! See what happens when you have set loose a class at DC Glass Works and Washington Glass School and toss in some aluminum pour castings & metal welding – you will be impressed and wanting to know when the next class occurs!

Erin Antognoli’s kilncast glass and steel sculpture


The adjacent Flux Studios will also be open – see the works of some of the area’s best ceramic artwork!

WASHINGTON GLASS SCHOOL
December Sculpture Market & Holiday Open House
Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010

Time: 2:00 til 6:00 pm

Location: Washington Glass School

3700 Otis Street

Mount Rainier, MD 20712

Admission: Free

202.744.8222

Posted in december sculpture market, holiday open house, washington glass school

Arts On Foot

Posted on by |

>

artsonfoot.org

Centered around 7th St & F St NWWashington, DC 20001

Marking its 18th anniversary, Arts on Foot is a multimedia Festival that kicks off the fall arts season in Downtown DC’s Penn Quarter. Incorporating visual art, music, theatre, dance, film, and creative cuisine, it’s an interactive celebration the whole family will enjoy. With a lively outdoor street festival as its centerpiece, Arts on Foot also sets you in the midst of the city – handy to also explore the neighborhood’s museums, theaters, galleries, cultural organizations, and shops. The Washington Glass School will have a booth in this art fair – come on down and visit some of the artists from the school!

Wednesday, September 8 – Friday, September 10, 11:00am to 7:00pm daily.

The festival is Saturday, September 11 from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

For more information, including the official program, visit http://www.artsonfoot.org/.

Posted in arts on foot, penn quarter, washington examiner, washington glass school

NEW Fall 2010 Class Schedule Part 1

Posted on by |

>

The Washington Glass School’s New Fall Schedule is now out! Some fun new classes, some favorites are back, and a new Lampworking Concentration Schedule! This season’s new lampworking classes includes some superstar instructors teaching in the special concentration classes. (More on these exciting new classes in following posting.)

New to the DC area? Our glass fusing and casting classes are a great way to get out, meet some new friends, make something beautiful, and get into the Washington arts and craft scene! The evening and weekend classes are scheduled to accommodate the hardworking DMV crowd (District, Maryland, Virginia).

Have a look at the new main glass fusing and casting schedule, then take a look at the super deluxe Lampworking Concentration classes.

Washington Glass School Fall 2010 Class Schedule

Class 1025 – Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend

Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of several professional glass artists you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping & dimensional kiln casting. A great class to bring a friend (or make one!). Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects….this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass….and you will leave with several very cool items! The class is offered 3 times during the fall schedule

Instructor Tim Tate, Robert Kincheloe and Michael Janis
Dates
  • Session 1025A September 25 & 26
  • Session 1025B October 30 & 31
  • Session 1025C December 4 & 5
Time 1 pm to 5 pm each day
Tuition $300 per student (all materials included)

kilnformed glass studio glass

Class 1026 – Going Green – Recycled Glass Art

Green up your life by doing something creative to help the environment! This is an exploration into using recycled glass to make sculptural pieces, architectural elements, jewelry and tableware. We will delve into various techniques, including casting, fusing and slumping. Once you start down the path of recycled glass, you will see more and more opportunities for experimentation around you. Glass chemistry, coloration, and firing temperatures will be explained for each particular application. No prior experience is necessary – you are encouraged to bring in materials you’d like to try.

Instructor Erwin Timmers
Dates Wednesday evenings September 29, October 6 & 13
Time 7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition $300

recycled glass

Class 1027 Bas Relief in Glass – Overview of Deep Relief Dry Plaster Casting

Tired of working flat? Want an easy way to get some real depth into your glass? Here’s a fun class where you will learn one of the easiest methods of kilncasting sheet glass to achieve bas-relief sculpture. This incredibly versatile method has endless fine art and architectural applications. In this two day class, we will discuss different types of glass and their firing schedules. Working with color and how it can affect dimensional casting will also be explored. Bring items you may want to cast with this method or choose from our image library. All materials and firings included.

Instructor Michael Janis
Dates Saturday / Sunday October 2 & 3
Time 2pm – 5pm
Tuition $350

bas relief in glass, float glass

Class 1028 – Beginning MIG Welding

Want to try your hand at welding? Ever thought about making a metal stand to display your glass? How about a metal frame? You can do it yourself, and it’s easier than you think. In 3 evenings you will learn how to make a display stand or frame to show off your work at its best. You will also leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending, and finishing.

Instructor Erwin Timmers
Dates Wednesday evenings in November (3, 10,17)
Time 7pm – 9:30pm
Tuition $325

erwin.timmers.eco.art

Class 1029 – Bullseye Glass Roll-up

If you’ve ever been interested in making your fused glass panels into blown vessels- then this is the class for you! Come experience one of the most exciting trends in glass – where you get the best of both worlds. One class will be spent fusing Bullseye Glass into a panel at the Washington Glass School. The next class will be held at DC GlassWorks where you will help blow the glass into a vase, or bowl, or even go more sculptural! This class is for all experience levels, both fusers and blowers who want to see their imagery in blown glass.

Instructor Dave D’Orio, Michael Janis
Dates Saturday October 9 & 16
Time 1:30pm to 5pm each day
Tuition $350

bullseye glass technique Michael Janis roll-up bullseye glass

Click HERE to see video of roll-up process.

Class 1030 – Steel & Glass Sculptural Development

For this incredible class, we are teaming up with our sister school at DC Glassworks to form this amazing collaborative experience. For anyone who has dreamed of creating true sculptural work, this is the class for you! This unusual class will feature 6 Sunday workshops, some discussing sculptural theory, while most are simply hands on with material in both studios. Students will be introduced to the basics of metal working, glass casting and fusing, and aluminum casting. This class is designed for anyone from beginner to the most advanced, no prior knowledge of glass, steel or aluminum are necessary. (An 18″ height restriction will be imposed on all pieces).

Instructor Patrick Burke, Dave D’Orio, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers
Dates Sunday afternoons in October (17, 24, 30) and November 7, 14,21)
Time 2pm – 5pm
Tuition $450

erwin.timmers

For more information, and to pay for the classes online, via PayPal, click HERE to jump to the school’s website.

Posted in dc newcomer, DMV, evening class, fun class, glass fusing course, washington glass school, weekend class

Team Building Event at the Glass School: DC Shorts

Posted on by |

>

The staff of the DC Shorts Film Festival crew held a team building event at the Washington Glass School. DC Shorts focuses on independent short films, created by new and established filmmakers. The film festival produced by DC Shorts was also chosen by the readers of the Washington City Paper as the area’s best festival (and this region has more than 50 film festivas a year!).

Glass has the ability to bring out the best of anyone! If you are interested in having an event at the Washington Glass School, please call 202 -744.8222.

Posted in corporate event, summer associates, team building, washington glass school