The Mount Rainier Arts Commission (MRAC) has been networking the area creatives with a monthly “artist’s social” for artists (in all media and forms) that live or work in Mt Rainier- this month’s event is a Social at the Glass School – Wed, 28th Aug, from 6-7:30!
And a perfect chance to chat up the new commissioners about the representation of the arts in our area. These events are a lot of fun and connect!
And a great time to view the new Kelly Towles mural on the side of the Glass school!
Get ready to experience an artistic revolution and discover the future of sculpture. The Montpelier Arts Center of the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, proudly presents its 43rd annual invitational sculpture exhibition. Curated by Howard Cohen, this show, titled “Connections and Conversations” features the visionary talents of artists of the Washington Glass School, with a spotlight on the transformative medium of glass, where boundaries are pushed and traditions redefined.
Join us to see how these remarkable artists illuminate the diverse worlds we live in, using glass to spark conversations and create profound connections. This isn’t just an exhibit—it’s a vibrant conversation about our diverse world. Don’t miss this chance to see how glass can tell stories, bridge gaps, and ignite inspiration through community engagement and artistic innovation.
Don’t miss this chance for an unforgettable journey through art, innovation, and community and discover the endless possibilities of glass as a medium.
Connections and Conversations: Works by Artists from the Washington Glass School
Exhibition Dates: June 7 – July 28, 2024
Public Reception: June 7, 2024, 7 – 9 PM
Lunch and Lecture: June 14, 2024, 12 Noon (Reservations Required – Call 301-377-7800)
Montpelier Arts Center
9652 Muirkirk Road Laurel, MD 20708
This past week’s Hot Shop Heroes™ workshop was great fun! Our military veterans had the incredible opportunity to connect with the talented glass artist and fellow veteran, Geoffrey Bowton, in a fascinating video meeting.
Geoffrey shared his unique glass art techniques and took us on a remarkable journey of healing through the mesmerizing world of glass art.
And that was just the beginning! After the inspiring conversation, we dove into hands-on workshops in fused glass and welding. The energy and creativity in the room were truly remarkable.
The 8 week program continues, where the veterans will continue to explore their artistic talents and healing through art.
Mark your calendars for the grand finale! On December 9th, we’ll be showcasing the incredible artwork created by our talented students at the Open Studios exhibit. You won’t want to miss it!
Stay tuned for more updates and be part of this inspiring journey with us.
About DC’s Hot Shop Heroes:
DC’s Veteran’s Affairs has partnered with the Washington Glass School (WGS) and the Museum of Glass (MOG) in Tacoma, WA. to bring the restorative power of art to active duty patients and Veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Started in 2013 at Takoma’s MOG, the Hot Shop Heroes program has been dedicated to teaching glass safety procedures, fundamental glassmaking techniques and team building skills. In one of the first partnerships with the MOG, WGS will add metal working and special glass casting techniques to the intensive arts encounter.
WASHINGTON, D.C. and TACOMA, WASHINGTON — The Washington Glass School in Mount Rainier, MD is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, aimed at enhancing the lives of military personnel and veterans through the transformative power of Hot Shop Heroes™. As one of the first collaborations of its kind for the Museum of Glass, this partnership underscores their dedication to expanding the horizons of glass artistry. By combining the Washington Glass School’s expertise in glass art instruction with the Museum of Glass’s world-class facilities and resources, this alliance of the two Washingtons (State and District of Columbia) promises to create a nurturing and enriching environment where veterans can discover the healing potential of working with glass.
Hot Shop Heroes is a pioneering program that has been instrumental in aiding military personnel and veterans in their journey to heal from traumatic experiences and injuries sustained during combat. The program creates a supportive environment where participants work collaboratively, forging bonds with one another while exploring the captivating art of molten glass. The blend of social interaction, shared goals, and creative expression within the Hot Shop Heroes program offers a unique and therapeutic experience that has been proven to promote healing and personal growth.
According to the American Art Therapy Association, the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress can affect up to 18-percent of soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. For many, the use of medication, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be helpful in treating this condition, but the addition of art therapy has shown to be invaluable to an individual’s recovery.
This remarkable initiative started as a Museum of Glass created opportunity for military members and their families to engage in hands-on art activities, glassblowing demonstrations, and gallery exhibitions, has evolved into a program specially designed to assist active-duty and retired service men and women in their transition to civilian life. The program has demonstrated that the concentration and camaraderie required for glassblowing can be profoundly therapeutic, particularly for individuals with traumas and injuries stemming from their military service.
Since its inception in the fall of 2013, the Hot Shop Heroes program has been dedicated to teaching kiln formed glass safety procedures, fundamental glassmaking techniques, welding experience, and team building skills. The program’s objectives are to provide participants with improved dexterity, fine motor coordination, and core strength, all while fostering self-esteem, nurturing creativity, and stimulating imagination through artistic participation. Today, Hot Shop Heroes remains a cornerstone educational program at the Museum of Glass, transforming lives through art.
The Hot Shop Heroes program offers glassmaking and metal shop courses to participating soldiers and veterans, catering to introductory and intermediate skill levels. With classes tailored to different levels of glassmaking experience, Hot Shop Heroes empowers participants to refine their abilities, extending the reach of their skill sets beyond the walls of the Glass Studio and into new job opportunities.
To sustain and expand this life-changing program, Hot Shop Heroes relies on external funding to provide classes at no cost to participating students. As of 2023, over 750 soldiers and veterans have benefited from the Hot Shop Heroes program, and this collaboration between the Washington Glass School and the Museum of Glass aims to extend the reach of this transformative initiative to even more individuals in need.
For more information about the Hot Shop Heroes program and this exciting collaboration between the Washington Glass School and the Museum of Glass, please visit http://washingtonglassschool.com/school
Hot Shop Heroes — Museum of Glass
Media Contact:
Erwin Timmers
Co-Director, Washington Glass School and Studio
erwin@washglass.com
About Washington Glass School:
The Washington Glass School, located in Mt Rainier, MD is a renowned educational program in the Nation’s Capital area, operating as the sculptural glass education and resource center for the mid-Atlantic region, serving students, artists and the general public. Founded in 2001 by passionate glass artists, the school offers a wide range of classes, workshops, and educational programs aimed at fostering creativity and innovation in the world of glass sculpture.
About Museum of Glass:
The Museum of Glass, situated in Tacoma, Washington, is a premier institution dedicated to the appreciation and exploration of glass art. With a world-class collection and a mission to engage and inspire a broad and diverse audience, the Museum of Glass is a hub for creativity, education, and artistic expression.
Art Glass Afternoon is back! Florida’s Duncan McClellan Gallery (DMG) continues their exhibit of works by artists from the Washington Glass School (WGS). Co-Directors Tim Tate and Michael Janis will be in sunny FLA to participate in talks and demos!
Join Duncan McClellan Gallery Sunday, February 26th, for this ART GLASS filled day- Free and Open to the public!
Michael Janis will give a presentation on how his background as an architect and designer influences both his personal art and the Washington Glass Studio’s site-specific art installations.
Sunday, February 26th, 10am-Noon
Visiting artist Tim Tate will be creating in the Hot Glass Studio.
Don’t miss the rare opportunity to watch this legendary artist at work.
Sunday, February 26, 10am-3pm
Our popular visiting artists’ lecture series returns with talks from Danish Artists of Backhaus-Brown and Egeværk Studios, and Michael Janis and Tim Tate of the Washington Glass School.
Full Schedule
10am-Noon: Glass blowing Demonstration by visiting DC artist Tim Tate in the Hot Glass Studio with Jeremiah Jacobs and the St. Pete Hot Glass team.
Noon- 1pm: The Danish Artists from Glasskibe talk about their collaborative studios and the inspiring body of work they create together
1:-1:30pm: Michael Janis will give a presentation on how his background as an architect and designer influences both his personal art and the Washington Glass Studio’s site-specific art installations.
During this lecture, Janis will talk about how community involvement creates successful public art works. He will also give insight into the inspiration and technique behind his evocative glass powder imagery.
1:30-2:30pm: Tim Tate’s talk at 1:30pm will focus on “Glass in the 21st Century”.
Artists will be available after the talks to visit with you personally!
Glasskibe: The maritime history of Hundested (Denmark) and the imagery of Viking ships passing have inspired two of the harbour’s contemporary craft companies; cabinetmakers Egeværk and glass artist Backhaus & Brown. These two award-winning workshops have combined their masterful crafts in an innovative collaboration; namely a series of unique sculptures named ”Glasskibe” – Viking ships in glass and wood.
Michael Janis developed a focus on glass after working for twenty years as an architect in the United States and Australia. His work has been shown at major galleries and art fairs and is included in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, Massachusetts Fuller Craft Museum, Florida’s Imagine Museum, Fort Wayne Museum of Art and Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA. In 2012, awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, Michael taught at the UK’s University of Sunderland and the UK National Glass Centre. Michael was awarded the Washington, DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2016. His collaborative work with Tim Tate was featured at the 2022 Venice Biennale at Glasstress.
Tim Tate has been working with glass as a sculptural medium for the past 25 years. Co-Founder of the Washington Glass School, Tim’s work is in the permanent collections of several museums, including the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery and the Mint Museum. His work has been shown at the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Fuller Museum, the Asheville Art Museum and the Museum of Arts and Design in New York. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and was Artist-In-Residence at the Institute for International Glass Research (IIRG) in the UK. Tim was named “Distinguished Artist in Glass” by the James Renwick Alliance in 2018. He participated in the Venice Biennale Glasstress show with Ai Wei Wei in 2019, the Boca Raton Museum Glasstress in 2021 and again in Murano in 2022. Last year, Tim’s work was featured at the Hermitage, in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Washington Glass Show Exhibition in the gallery: Shown-works by Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Christina Helowicz, Erwin Timmers and Teri Swinhart. (Also shown-Richard Jolley.)
Duncan McClellan Gallery address is:
2342 Emerson Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
855-436-4527
DMGlass.com
Gallery Hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: Noon-4pm
Washington Glass School artists are prepping spectacular glass/mixed media artwork to be presented at Context Art Miami – at Alida Anderson Art Projects . New art works by WGS artists Michael Janis, Christina Helowicz, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, along with artworks by Lenny Campello, Tony Porto, J Jordan Bruns and Steve Wanna, Marinela de la Hoz and others will be on exhibit at CONTEXT Art Miami Art Fair, space A29.
CONTEXT Art Miami, presented by Art Miami, continues to create and push boundaries on the conversation about contemporary art, The 2022 edition will showcase works from 75 innovative galleries from more than 20 countries, including Japan, Turkey, Australia, France, South Korea and Chile, among others. CONTEXT Art Miami will kick-off during Miami Art Week with an invitation-only VIP preview on Tuesday, November 29 and run through Sunday, December 4, 2022.
Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville will welcome artist Erwin Timmers along with Artists of the Washington Glass School for the exhibit “A Show of Hands”. The November 4th First Friday evening opening will run from 5pm – 9pm.
Erwin Timmers is the Co-founder and Director of the Washington Glass School. His work references sociological and environmental issues of concern to him, primarily how we, as a society, consume and discard precious resources. For this topic, the choice of materials becomes a more important discussion, so Erwin endeavors to use recycled materials to express concepts and ideas of recycling and use of the environment. Recycled glass is difficult to use, so he has had to develop new and experimental techniques to exploit the characteristics of this material. A Show of Hands explores personal and cultural traits as they relate to present day social trends. Technological “advances” have changed the landscape in human interaction, and social media focuses on aspects of cultural loss, fake news, mass manipulation, and diversion and division. This series is about the expression of nonverbal and abstract themes like trust, communication, and connection. Erwin’s portfolio showcases the possibility and beauty of recycled material, while encouraging the viewer to consider his or her environmental impact.
Erwin Timmers “A Show of Hands”
Featuring Artists of the Washington Glass School
Opening Reception
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Friday, November 4th, 2022
Artists & Makers Studios
11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210
Rockville, MD 20852
Artist Discussion with Erwin Timmers – November 12th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Exhibits for Erwin Timmers, the Resident Artists, and Gallery 209 will run from November 1st through November 22nd. Viewing hours are 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday-Saturday, and Sundays by chance or appointment.
Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville, established in October 2014 by artist and arts community builder Judith HeartSong, is a 13,000 sq. ft. facility is home to 87 artists, and 80 student artists. A&M Studios is dedicated to providing a supportive and vibrant environment for artists to realize their creative goals – through studio practice, collaboration, education, opportunities, networking and connecting with the community beyond.
Glass Sculptor and Artist Tim Tate looks back on 20 years of creating a community. He recently put together some of his observations on well, how did we get here?
“I had been raised in a household filled with craft materials. I rarely saw my mother’s hands empty, always creating something. I inherited this love. I spent my early adult years being trained in the methods revolving around studio glass while attending the 2 weeks to 2-month workshops of Penland, Pilchuck, Corning, Pittsburg, etc. (I had no money to attend grad school …though I yearned for Cranbrook). These years of varied workshops and practitioners was the perfect way to obtain a broad outlook on the entire field. We founded the Washington Glass School in 2001 with very specific goals. Let me see if I can make this clear.
1). We wanted to be something other than a traditional studio glass shop. From the beginning we realized we wanted a much broader approach; something that reflected the mission of education centers like the Crucible in Oakland and Penland in NC. We embraced mixed media work from the beginning with varied classes in kiln formed glass, steel, electronics, encaustics, etc. Our idea was not to in any way denigrate the rich history of studio glass, but to live just outside of those confines to see what would happen. To step slightly away from the 20th century.
2). As a gay man in glass, it was apparent that diversity was sorely lacking in every way in the glass world. So we did outreach and advertised our classes in many publications that went to diverse populations, rather than wait for these populations to approach us. This worked very well. Even now we go to the Facebook pages of different neighborhoods to show our class schedules.
3). We have embraced social media in every way possible, from individual and school Facebook and Instagram pages (where we post regularly) to administering a Facebook discussion group. This group is called “21st Century Glass/Conversations and Images/Glass Secessionism” and maintain over 8000 members from 97 countries.
With William Warmus we came up with the original concept of “Glass Secessionism”…to step slightly away from the recognized canon of 20th century glass and to create as much dialog and critical analysis as possible. There have been over 1.5 million words written and over thousands of images shared on this page focusing almost entirely on that theme.
4). We participated in many local shows here in the DC area, such as the spectacular Art-O-Matic show that truly put us on the map. We also curated many shows over the years to include local emerging artists. I have served on a dozen boards and juried dozens of shows and grant applications to stay in the loop and form a community bond. There are 3 Co-Directors here, all sharing a similar mission….to create a large regional, national and international community to foster new growth within our field.
5). Our first class was on Sept. 13, 2001…. a difficult day in history to start anything being right after 9/11. We thought no one would even attend the first classes. But we discovered something else….no one cancelled. It appeared that while the purchase of art slowed to a trickle around the country, the creation of art thrived. Our first class was filled with artists who wanted to make narrative work about the devastation of that event. From that moment on we embraced narrative work with all our hearts. Works about political events, social injustices and inequalities were common within our sculptural classes, and certainly in my own works. We have now been in operation over 20 years, with over 6000 students. 60% of those were and are women, we have a large population of BIPoC students and we have worked with hundreds of LGTBQ students. We are so very proud of this fact.
My purpose for serving on boards right now is to focus on the building of communities as an artistic practice. I want to take a slight step away from academia as these institutions can become elitist, and I want to be non-elitist as we have been from the beginning. I also like regional boards that focus in the mid-Atlantic.
My personal practice had been deeply imbedded in the world of glass galleries and museums, though frequently as an outsider. I have stepped away from this in the last few months. I have moved towards the fine art world once again, as I had started there. It feels great to go back to my roots, surrounded by a community that reaches far beyond anything we ever anticipated.” – Tim Tate, October, 2022
Please welcome Washington Glass School’s new Studio Coordinator – Christina Helowicz!
A graduate of Salisbury University, Christina brings a new vitality and freshness to the Washington Glass School. She has an impressive background in coldworking and casting, as well as teaching. She will be working at tweaking the School’s glass program soon!
Public art can strengthen social bonds, especially for culturally diverse neighborhoods.
Corner installation of “Social Fabric” public art at Fenton Apartments in Silver Spring, MD.
Washington Glass Studio recently completed a public art project in Silver Spring, MD, for a new mixed use development at 900 Thayer Ave.
The original 2005 design concept – cast glass panels helped define the architectural entrance to the “Adele” development.
Washington Glass Studio began creating artwork options for developments on the site, starting in 2005, when the site first was being developed as a residential development called “The Adele”. After a review and approval by Montgomery County Arts Council, the project languished as the real estate market changed.
In 2013, WGS Studio began working with the developers that purchased that project site, Redbrick LMD. Working with the design team, WGS artists were inspired by the rich mixture of ethnic groups in Silver Spring. Imagery and patterns that were based on the cultural fabric and textiles, as well as indigenous weaving and embroidery patterns for tapestries, wraps, blankets and garments.
Fabrics & textiles of the cultures that make up the Silver Spring neighborhoods was the inspiration of the new artwork design for 900 Thayer.
Artwork on the corner column made up of backlit glass panels would be a colorful reference to the cultures, and add a bright pop of color on the site.
The corner location of the artwork would also frame out the proposed future planned arts development that would be up the road from 900 Thayer, and the Montgomery County Review committee was keen on having the artwork go further – asking if the artwork could be extended all along the ground level of the new development. Happily, Redbrick Developers agreed, and the scope of the artwork was extended along the entire street level and apartment outdoor spaces.
The corner column at 900 Thayer was to have an 11 foot high tower of backlit panels mounted to the surfaces.
The project stalled in 2015. In 2017, Chesapeake Realty Partners joined with Redbrick Developer and the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County in moving forward with the property proceeded with groundbreaking and construction of the development in June of 2018.
WGS Studio was contacted and engaged to fully develop the design. WGS revisited the idea of incorporating cultural textile and fabric patterns would encourage viewers to appreciate the colorful patterns enlivening the streetscape, as well as promoting a message of open-mindedness, promote tolerance and curiosity about other cultures.
The brightly colored hand-screened glass features patterns were artistically based on Ethiopian textiles, African mudcoths, Central American weavings, European folkloric fabric prints, intricate and colorful ancestral weaving designs from Asia, Native American blankets, and Colonial American quilt patterns. Using identity and culture as the main theme of the building’s public artwork, WGS sought to inspire self-reflection, human connection, and conversation.
Teri Bailey and Patricia De Poel Wilberg work on silkscreening the enamel patterns on glass, to be fired in the kilns after.
The Washington Glass Studio team worked on the production of the glass artwork starting in early 2019. Large silkscreen panels were made to allow the patterns to be enameled and fired in the WGS kilns. WGS Co-Director Erwin Timmers worked on the LED design and integration of the glass artwork.
The enameled glass was fired to keep the high contrast color selections vibrant.
Over 60 18″ x 18″ panels were made – and were to be mounted in a variety of multi-panel arrangements.
The installation on site began in October of 2019, and as the building occupancy needed the artwork to be completed to allow for certification, a focused WGS team made short work of the outdoor artwork installation.
Detail of one of the LED illuminated glass panels at 900 Thayer Ave.
WGS Co-Director Michael Janis is a vision in orange as he preps the LED mounts for the glass.
WGS Co-Director Erwin Timmers sets the final glass artwork panels in the corner column at the 900 Thayer site.
The Fenton Apartment corner column artwork has a strong presence in the daytime, with the LED illumination.
Project Details
Location: 900 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring MD, 20910
Washington Glass Studio Public Art Team: Michael Janis, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Teri Bailey and Patricia De Poel Wilberg.