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The Gateway Arts District is just over the DC/MD border of Eastern Avenue, along Route One.
Click HERE to jump to the Gateway Open Studio website.
Amazing Penland/Asheville Art Tour
Hey There…
I wanted to take this time to tell you a bit about an upcoming art experience I have organized on behalf of the James Renwick Alliance. Over the years, my favorite and the most enjoyable trips I ever take is to Penland School of Crafts outside of Asheville North Carolina. This area of the country is dense with amazing artists. You may know my work, but you may not know what Penland and the artists in the Asheville area have meant to my career.
I first attended a class at Penland in 1989. It was a survey casting class…the only non-blowing class I could find anywhere in the country. Without hot glass facilities in the Washington region, I wanted to focus my skills towards a different aesthetic…one that I could work with while back at home. Thus began my lifelong relationship with this spectacular school and the generous artists who surrounded it. Here is a link to an article that goes into depth on why I have such a strong commitment to this area.
http://washingtonglass.blogspot.com/2012/01/compelled-by-tim-tate.html ;
A central focus of this trip will be attending Penland’s Annual Benefit Auction, the centerpiece of a gala weekend in the North Carolina Mountains featuring the sale of over 200 craft items. The Penland auction is one of the premier collecting events in the Southeast, and it is a wonderful opportunity to interact with fellow craft enthusiasts. Additionally, we will be visiting the studios of some of the most talented artists surrounding Asheville and the region. This will honestly be the best 5 day excursion you have ever taken…at least I’m gonna try to make it that way!. Here is the schedule of events:
Wednesday, August 8
We arrive in at the Inn at Little Switzerland on the Blue Ridge Parkway with spectacular views of the valley…a favorite spot for travelers in this area….either by plane or driving down, your choice. If you come by plane, you would come to Asheville, where we will arrange pick up. Our plan is to share the cars that come down, and caravan to each location. Close to both Asheville and Penland, this will be our base. Our first event will be a Wednesday evening welcome dinner and cocktails at the Inn.
Inn at Little Switzerland
Thursday, August 9th
After a quick bite at the Inn, we leave at 8:30 and head out to see the sites of Asheville and to some amazing artists studios for private tours. Most of these studios are in the surrounding area, but we will end up in the heart of the city. Here is a list of those studios:
Michael Sherrill
Ceramist Michael Sherrill received a visual arts fellowship from the North Carolina Arts Council in 1992. His work is in several major collections, including the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, North Carolina and the Renwick Museum. He has been making pots for more than twenty years. Originally, his work was completely functional, but it has evolved into work that is now wholly sculptural. He is one of the most thoughtful and articulate sculptors of our time.
Michael Sherrill
Stoney Lamar
Lamar received his BS degree in industrial arts (wood technology) from Appalachian State University. A friend’s borrowed lathe led him away from his original goal to design and build furniture, however, to sculptural woodturning. He apprenticed with Mark and Melvin Lindquist and the year’s experience there freed him from many self-imposed restrictions and limitations of traditional lathe approaches. It opened new avenues and processes for the expression of his aesthetic.
His work is in such collections as High Museum of Art (Atlanta), American Craft Museum (NY), Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Yale University Gallery of Art, Mint Museum of Craft & Design (NC), Minneapolis Institute of Art, Wustum Museum of Fine Arts and the Detroit Institute of Art.
Lunch that day will be at Stoneys restaurant just outside Asheville.
Stoney Lamar
Hoss Haley
Hoss Haley has worked in metal for over twenty years, creating sculpture, paintings, and public art. Hoss’s work is in several collections including Lowes Corporation, McColl Center for Visual Art, and the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, and he is represented by the New Gallery of Modern Art in Charlotte, NC. Hoss has been a resident artist at Penland School of Crafts and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Hoss Hailey
Dan Essig
Frequently thought of as the pre-eminent book art maker in this country, you will not find any of Daniel Essig’s books on the shelves of a library. These wordless works of art are sewn, woven and carved into magnificent artists’ books and sculptures. Formerly a photographer, Essig is inspired by found objects that he comes across every day. A self-described hoarder, he will incorporate these items—fossils, shells, coins and old nails—into his artwork. His studio is located next to the Grove Point Inn, where we will peak in for a quick look at their amazing Stickley Collection.
Dan Essig
Blue Spiral Gallery
No trip to Asheville would be complete without a visit to the famous Blue Spiral Gallery. This amazing gallery presents work by exceptional Southern artists and object makers in a beautifully renovated building in the heart of downtown Asheville. The light-filled, 15,000 square-foot gallery spans three floors connected by an open stairway. This spacious setting allows Blue Spiral 1 to offer considerable diversity, affording accessibility to various tastes and aesthetics.
Blue Spiral Gallery
Now, on to dinner! We are planning our meal at the spectacular Posana Restaurant in the center of Asheville. Then back to the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Posana Restaurant
Friday, August 10th
Today we will stay closer to Penland, exploring several studios and then joining in the festivities surrounding the Penland auction, which begin at 3pm with auction previews.
Christina Cordova/Pablo DeSato
This husband and wife team have their amazing studios on the grounds of Penland itself, and are 2 of the most widely known artists on this tour.
De Soto Glass Design was formed around the idea of creating and designing objects that enhance living spaces and environments. As a company we make a wide variety of work. A large portion of what we do revolves around glass blown vessels and functionally oriented works. Lighting design is quickly becoming an influential part of the sum. We also use our facilities and skills for creating glass blown objects for other designers and artists.
Cristina Cordova is a studio artist living in Penland,NC. Originally from Puerto Rico, she received her BA from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and went to earn her MFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. In 2005 she concluded a three year residency at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She was the recipient of an American Craft Council Emerging Artist Grant as well as a North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship Award.
Christina Cordova
Pablo Sato
Lunch this day will be on grounds at the Penland Dining Hall.
Penland Gallery
No trip to Penland would ever be complete without a visit to the Penland Gallery. The Penland Gallery–featuring work by artists affiliated with Penland School of Crafts–is a stop worth adding to your trip through Western North Carolina. It is the perfect place to choose a gift, add to your craft collection, or learn about contemporary craft. You will see such artists as Marc Petrovic, Marc Peisser and yours truly, Tim Tate.
Marc PetrovicNow its on to the auction. It begins at 3pm with the silent auction in the new state of the art facilities in the Print/Letterpress Studio. Dozens of Penland’s artists will be showing there. Then on to a lovely dinner and wine under the beautiful tent overlooking the valley on Penland’s grounds while the main Friday night auction goes on. After this, its back for a quick cocktail at the Inn at Little Switzerland.
Auction Tent under the Penland Sky
Saturday, August 11th
The morning begins with coffee and breakfast at The Barns at Penland, where we will be treated to a show by the resident artists here at Penland. Always a highlight and much fun. from the we attend a show given by the Core Students where we will see the work of tomorrows most promising artists. On to the Saturday silent auction and artist chats….then on to the main festivities of the luncheon and live auction. This will definitely be the highlight of the weekend!
Resident Artist Barns at Penland
2 major works will be the big spotlight! One by Beth Lipman, one by Dan Clayman….both stunning!
Beth Lipman
Dan Clayman
After the auction we will head back to the Inn at Little Switzerland, where we will have time to freshen up before a lovely farewell cocktail and dinner party where you will be able to swap stories with the new friends you made on this spectacular trip!
Sunday, August 11th
travel day…..those that need a ride to the airport, we will arrange it.
Please give me this opportunity to show you why I hold this area of the country in such high esteem. I guarantee it will be a stupendous trip.
To reserve a space for this trip, its first come and space is limited. Contact Cecie at the James Renwick Alliance at admin@jra.org or call to 301- 907-3888
Tim Tate
Co-Director
Washington Glass School
3700 Otis St.
Mt. Rainier, Md. 20712
WashGlass.com
Class Photo: Intermediate Glass Course
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The “Next Step” fused glass class is well underway, with the students going large. This week, the artists were engrossed in making pattern sheet elements for a large panel fused work. Balance of color, reactions within colors, working with frit powders, stringers and sharpened cutting skills are the mainstay of the class.
Sifting frit glass powder onto glass allows creation of very detailed glass elements.
More of everything is the class motto!.
The day’s work is loaded into the kiln.
Next week’s installment includes creating even larger panels, as well as cutting perfect circles in glass. Can’t hardly wait!.
Looking for Glass Studio Space? Here ‘Tis!
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If you have always wanted a studio space to work on your kiln-formed glass, but didn’t have room where you live, or didn’t have a huge amount to invest in a giant glass studio…..then you might like the thought of becoming one of the studio artists here.
Your table/studio space runs $275 per month, and not only do you finally have a dedicated space for you to work in, but you also join a vibrant and successful community of glass artists and opportunities.
The Washington Glass School (near the Rhode Island/ Route 1 Eastern Ave border of the District of Columbia) is now accepting applications for incubator studio spaces (available immediately).
Interested? Give Tim Tate a call 202-744-8222!
Or email: washglassschool@aol.com
Washington Glass School
3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD
(202) 744-8222
2011 WGS Year-In-Review
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Looking thru the Washington Glass School postings (both official school blog and the more casual Facebook page) and events from a few months ago seem like ages ago. The strange phenomena of time flying by is observed again. Many of the years past events were months – or years- in planning and preparation, and seemed like they would never happen, now seem faraway, and the impact, both good and bad will be here for a while. Some high points, some sad loss. Month by month – here is a quick review of Washington Glass School’s 2011:
January 2011
The year started out with some new artistic directions.
Jeff Zimmer works on his layered glass imagery.
WGS Alum Jeff Zimmer worked on some new pieces for the school’s 10th Anniversary show. Its been a great year for Jeff – his work was part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show in Oct.
artist: Christina Bothwell media:clay & glass.
The foundation for “Glass Secessionism” was outlined as a challenge for the aesthetics of the 21st century.
Matt (m l duffy) checks for tin side. The school’s new-fangled digital tin-o-meter also arrived in 2011.
Matthew Duffy began working on fabrication of the Washington Glass Studio’s public art project for Safeway Bethesda.
Susan documents Rob Kincheloe’s lampwork process. 
Susan’s strong photographic skills will be part of her book series.
Susan Lomuto (aka Daily Art Muse) arrived into the area to do a residency in the glass school and the surrounding ceramics studios.
February
artist: Kirk Waldroff media cast glass, led lighting, wood
Kirk Waldroff opens his mixed media/glass print exhibit at Glenview Mansion. Dr Claudia Rousseau reviewed his artwork.
March
photo by : Pete Duvall
American Craft Magazine has a large feature of the collaborative works by Tim Tate and Marc Petrovic.
April
This glass work is good enough to shout about.
Kirk Waldroff’s printmaking with glass class is one of the stronger design class of the year, with a number of students taking off in creative directions.
Ready for framing and the Smithsonian.
Glass artist Judith Schaechter held a creativity workshop for the JRA at the Washington Glass School.
artist: Elizabeth Ryland Mears, Tex Forrest 
Crowds packed the gallery
The Washington Glass School 10th Anniversary exhibition opens at Long View Gallery in Washington, DC.
Post critic Michael O’Sullivan’s in-depth review of the show.
The Washington Post reviews the Long View show, asking “Is Glass Only Pretty?”.
June
Gallery 555 exhibit of WGS student work.
Gallery 555 also hosted an exhibition in honor of the 10th Anniversary of WGS, with a successful show of student works.
Rob Kincheloe coldworks the glass, evaluating the quality of the recycled float glass casting.
National Geographic commissioned the Washington Glass Studio to create a special “environment” award for singer Jack Johnson. The development of the award design and creation was documented in the blog’s new feature column “The Process”.
Tim Tate’s work at Wheaton Arts. 
View of Maurine Littleton Gallery space during GlassWeekend.
Rising Star – Michael Janis
The Bi-annual “GlassWeekend” was this year with a huge show at WheatonArts The Creative Glass Center of America (CCGA and theArt Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG) named our Michael Janis a “Rising Star” at the event.
July
Tim Tate is filmed by PBS documentary crew as he speaks to the tour group.
Wendy Rosen brought a contingent of international guests – leaders of national craft federations and craft advocacy groups, as well as diplomats and government officials – as part of the World Craft Council held in Washington, DC.
yeah, hand-forged steel is nice and all… but what about the glass?
Chris Shea’s forged metal and glass sculpture/furniture was added to the Smithsonian’s permanent collection of the Renwick Gallery.
Conner Contemporary hosted a book release party in honor of F Lennox Campello’s book “100 Artists of Washington, DC” – one of the more successful in the Schiffer Books line of artist reference series.
August
An unusual month in terms of “natural events”. An earthquake hit DC, causing some minor damage to the glass display area in the student gallery of the school. Later in the month – a massive heatwave sent temps over 100 degrees F, and also Hurricane Irene hit DC.
Michael talks with art patrons about the imagery in glass. Michael Janis’ solo show at Fuller Craft Museum opened. Perry Price – the Associate Curator of the Museum later commented that they had some of the highest media coverage of the show, and that the Docents worked the educational aspects of the show with the visiting school students.
Installation began on the Safeway public art project. Evan Morgan returned to help install.
WaPo columnist Kris Coronado interviews Erwin and share a laugh. Erwin Timmers was featured in the Washington Post Magazine on the “Art of Recycling“.
Jason Burnett showcases Tim’s video reliquary at the auction.
Tim Tate’s artwork was part of the Penland School Auction – and sets a new record!
September
Architectural artwork by artists, instructors and students commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Washington Glass School was installed on the facade of the school.
Zenith Gallery hosted a book release exhibition for the “100 Artists of the Mid Atlantic” that featured each of the WGS directors.
The national organization Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG) held its annual meeting in Washington, DC this year. Part of the events included tours of glass spots – museum tours, collector’s homes, gallery talks and a fun night at the Washington Glass School. A huge bar-be-que was on the menu that night, with an ice cream truck dispensing Good Humor to all.
October
Safeway’s new public art lights up the Bethesda streetscene.
The public art and architectural installation created for Safeway supermarket in Bethesda opened in spectacular fashion. 
DC’s Seed Charter School had a class at WGS that mixed art, history, chemistry, mathematics and physics.
November
Maurine Littleton Gallery space at SOFA Chicago 2011. 
Marc Petrovic’s work at Heller Gallery. 
Tim Tate’s work at Jane Sauer Gallery.
The BIG show – SOFA Chicago. Allegra Marquart, Michael Janis, Tim Tate each did well at the huge international art fair this year, and the hope that the trend continues to the next year is held by all!
The United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) celebrated its centennial with glass. The organization commissioned special artwork for families of Edward Kennedy and Dwight Eisenhower in memory of the work each had done. The red carpet gala event feature celebrities and performances by Wyclef Jean.
December
As Rob Kincheloe sets up a dedicated Torch work studio in Virginia, Mick Coughlan joined the school as the new studio coordinator.
The Fulbright Program named Tim Tate & Michael Janis each as recipients of Fulbrights. In 2012, both will be off to University of Sunderland starting in March.
After a battle with cancer, our Nicole Puzan passed away in December.
There are so many stories from the last year, this posting started as a short list and there were so many events and shows that these are the ones that made it to this (almost) final posting for the year.
Here’s to the hope that 2012 will be a good year for all!
Winter Exhibit
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Works by M.L. Duffy and Debra Ruzinsky
The Washington Glass School is set up for the Open Studio and Winter Show that is held this Saturday, Dec 10. The show runs from 1 to 5 pm.
The artists and instructors have been setting up areas with some great works – The Washington Post newspaper selected the show as part of the Weekend Picks. Great image by Pete Duvall of Erwin Timmers cast recycled glass!
The Friday Weekend Section of the Washington Post.
Nancy Donnelly’s cast glass woodblock
A Wall of Tim Tates!
Sean Hennessey’s cast elements in front of Syl Mathis’ cast glass boats
Chris Shea’s fantastic sculpture.
Come on up to to the Mount Rainier studios, just across the Eastern Ave border. Next door studios like Flux Studio and Ellyn Weiss’ are open!
Washington Glass School
3700 Otis Street
Mount Rainier, MD 20712
Update on WGS Collaborative Artwork
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Above grid includes work from top, L to R: Allegra Marquart, Jennifer Lindstrom, Jackie Greeves, Robert Kincheloe, Evan Morgan, Dave Cook.
As mentioned in a posting earlier this year, the Washington Glass School’s will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary with the creation of a collaborative artwork that will be mounted on the front facade of the glass school.
WGS Director Tim Tate organizes and sets out the artwork tiles into the steel grid framework.
Copper & glass panel is collaboration between metalsmith Chris Shea and glass artist Don Daniels.
Glass panels made by filmmakers Jon Gann and Kerri Sheehan.
Proposed artwork location at the front of the glass school. The author of this article is depicted as leaving the studio.
ReadysetDC on Washington Glass School
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The hip and trendy culture blog – ReadysetDC just covered the Washington Glass School 10th anniversary exhibition at Long View Gallery with an in-depth review of the show with insights about the Washington Glass School directors and DC GlassWorks’ Dave D’Orio.
Writer Natalie Stemp has some thoughtful takes on the changing status of glass as a sculptural medium:
“Let’s play a game. If I say “canvas”, what do you picture? You probably imagine art – Vermeer, Seurat, Picasso, Mondrian, maybe even DC’s Chris Martin. What if I say “glass”? Do the words “sink, wine, stained” instantly light up like neon signs? If so, you are not alone, but the Washington Glass School (WGS) wishes you were.
The Studio Glass Movement was founded just 50 years ago, so it is not surprising that most of us still perceive glass art strictly as decorative. In fact, the WGS – the face of the Movement in DC along with DC GlassWorks – celebrated its 10 year anniversary last weekend with a reception at Longview Gallery that concluded a month-long retrospective exhibition. After touring the exhibition with Michael Janis, co-director of WGS, I find it difficult to understand why the art establishment struggles to include consistent representation of expressive glass art at preeminent shows and museums. Think about the museums you visited in the past year: did any of them include contemporary glass art in its curation?…”
Natalie’s article contains many photos taken from the exhibition and comments about the featured artist’s work.
ReadysetDC is an online zine dedicated to the creative revolution and movement that is happening in Washington, DC.
Click HERE to jump to ReadysetDC’s article.
The Party Was A Blast!
>This weekend, the Washington Glass School celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a big birthday bash held at Long View Gallery, where the exhibit Artists of the Washington Glass School: The First Ten Years was held. The critically acclaimed show had sold very well – much to the delight of both the gallery and the artists! Altho the Long View Gallery show is over – there still is time to catch work by the students of the Washington Glass School – over at Gallery 555dc – on exhibit until the end of June.
A big thanks to our artists, students, instructors, family, friends, supporters, aficionados – we all appreciate the love and support that allowed us to reach this milestone! Washington Glass School
Anne Plant describes her work.
Absorbed in the works.
Awesome Washington Glass School cake by theatrical designer Marie Schneggenburger.
Tim Tate lights the 10 birthday candles.
Directors Erwin Timmers, Tim Tate and Michael Janis lead the cheering and singing.
Blowing out the candles.
Altho this show is over :(
There will be more events and fun coming up, as the Washington Glass School moves on to the Next Ten Years.
Happy Birthday to US!
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oh boy oh boy oh boy!
Join the artists of the Washington Glass School as they celebrate their 10th Anniversary with a birthday bash at Long View Gallery. The exhibit “Artists of the Washington Glass School: The First 10 Years” will close that night, and a party to celebrate is in order!
10th Anniversary Party
Long View Gallery
1234 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Sunday, June 19th, 2011
2-5 pm
Click here to jump to the Post’s art critic Michael O’Sullivan’s review of the exhibit.