Category Archives: Washington School of Glass

Glass Is the Reason for the Season!

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Celebrate Creativity at the Washington Glass School Holiday Open Studios!

Jun Lee glass art print
Resident Artist Jun Lee preps her bas-relief glass panel.
fused glass bas relief glass panel based on print by Jun Lee.
Jun Lee, dimensional cast glass panel, 14″ x 14″, 2024

Join us for the Washington Glass School’s Holiday Open Studios on Saturday, December 14th, from 12-5 PM! Explore a dazzling collection of glass art and other creations by our talented Resident Artists and Instructors, just in time for holiday gift shopping or adding unique pieces to your collection.

Erwin Timmers, cast recycled glass & steel, 15″H x 20″W x 5″D, 2024

Our Open Studios is more than just an art show—it’s a chance to immerse yourself in Mount Rainier’s thriving creative community! Venture beyond our doors to discover inspiring works at nearby studios, including Otis Street Arts, Ampersand, Portico Gallery, Joe Hicks Ceramics, and Janis Goodman Studios.

📍 Location: Washington Glass School
3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712 (Just over the DC/MD border of Eastern Avenue)

Come for the art, stay for the inspiration. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of creativity and craftsmanship!

Posted in " glass studio", artists of the washington glass school, holiday open house, jun lee, open house, open studio, opening, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass

10th Annual Glass International Opens!

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April Shelford “Catch a Wave”

Virginia’s Lorton Workhouse Arts Center opened their 10th Annual Glass International, an exhibition highlighting the depth and breadth of contemporary functional and sculptural glass art. This year, in celebration of Workhouse Arts’ 10th year exhibiting glass they opened eligibility to include artists working internationally.

Kate Barfield “Dream of the Wind-Up Bird”
Patricia de Poel Wilberg

Washington Glass School was well represented by WGS Resident Artists Kate Barfield, Patrica de Poel Wilberg, and April Shelford- congratulations!

glass artists . next gen ladies of glass
Washington Glass School artists (L-R) April Shelford, Kate Barfield, Patrica de Poel Wilberg, Arden Colley.

Exhibiting Glass International Artists:
Karen Abbott, Kate Barfield, Denise Bohart Brown, Beryl Brenner, Lee Campbell, Guillermo Castaneda Jr., Marcy Chevali, Anthony D’Amico, Patricia de Poel Wilberg, Jeanne Marie Ferraro, Olga Gobernik Kon, Ruth Gowell, Jennifer Hand, Mollie Hansen, Jennifer Hecker, Marla Heiner, Sara Hitchcock, Mary Jones, Martin Kremer, Kelly Lacy, Becca Low, Sandi Martina, Kimberly McKinnis, Shawn Messenger, Paul Messink, Jack Schmidt, Michael Scupholm, April Shelford, Madeline Shir, Ori Shir, Aric Snee, Chuchen Song, Tim Spurchise, Heather Sutherland, Tabitha Thierjung, Katherine Thomas, Exer Thurston, Michael Tracy, Snuffy Wright

Workhouse Arts Center is located at: 9518 Workhouse Way Lorton, VA 22079

Vulcan Gallery, W-16 1st Floor
On View: November 2, 2024 – January 12, 2025

Posted in " glass studio", april shelford, arden colley, artists of the washington glass school, international, kiln fused glass, kiln-formed, kiln-formed glass, kilncast, patricia de poel wilberg, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass

Winter Open Studio Is Coming!

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Winter Open Studios Set for Dec 14th! Mark Your Calendars!

Join us in the DC region’s largest one-day visual arts event! On Saturday, Dec. 14th, from Noon til 5PM, Washington Glass School and its Resident Artists, Teachers and Students will participate in the Winter Open Studios! See what we’ve been up to!
Come visit hundreds of working artist studios in the Gateway Arts District, along Route 1 from the DC line/ Mount Rainier up to Hyattsville, MD.

December Holiday Open Studio Gateway Arts District DC Maryland
Washington Glass School 3700 Otis Street, MD Rainier, MD

Posted in " glass studio", art glass, artists of the washington glass school, contemporary art glass, cool glass, creative glass, fused glass, glass art, holiday open house, kiln fused glass, kiln-formed glass, kilncast float glass, open house, open studio, studio art glass, studio glass movement, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass

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

Washington Post on the DC Glass Scene Seen at Artomatic

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Washington Post article on 2024 Artomatic exhibit

Great review of Artomatic culture event in the Washington Post. Art critic Mark Jenkins enjoys the all-sorts arts experience and singles out the glass art for comment, including using WGS artist Michael Janis’ artwork titled “Waiting for the Moments that Never Come” as the illustrative work for the show. Writes Mark:

“…Among the various business and governmental sponsors of this year’s Artomatic is a small but internationally renowned arts group, the Washington Glass School. The Mount Rainier, Md., studio has taken a large chunk of the building’s fifth floor to showcase the elegant creations of co-founders Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers and several other glass virtuosos. Tate, who credits Artomatic with playing a significant role in his career, is showing a sculpture that riffs on Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man.” The provocatively androgynous update positions eight glass figures — male, female and combined — in a circle surrounded by mirrors and lights that simulate a sense of endless replication…”

In the galleries: Artomatic: Unpretentious, approachable, convivial – Review by Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, April 5, 2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2024/04/05/art-gallery-shows-dc-area/

By contrast – have a read about how the Washington Post art critic Blake Gopnik thought of the 2004 Artomatic exhibit:

…”The result is the second-worst display of art I’ve ever seen. The only one to beat it out, by the thinnest of split hairs, was the 2002 Artomatic, which was worse only by virtue of being even bigger and in an even more atrocious space, down by the waterfront in a vacant modern office building. I won’t dwell on the art. And I certainly won’t name names…There may just be a few decent things hidden in the mix — with so many thousands of objects on display, the law of averages says there must be. But three hours’ worth of looking didn’t spot too many. Some of the glasswork looked all right. (Glass is such a gorgeous medium it’s hard to screw it up, and you need some basic training even to begin to work in it.)

Artomatic 2004: Hanging Is Too Good for It by Blake Gopnik

November 10, 2004

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/11/11/artomatic-2004-hanging-is-too-good-for-it/353b4ecd-8d74-475b-9386-63d5acd048db/

Artomatic runs thru April 28th. 2100 M Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Posted in 21st century glass, american glass, art glass, artists of the washington glass school, bullseye glass, cool glass, fused glass, gay glass, glass art, mark jenkins, twenty first century glass, washington glass school, washington post, Washington School of Glass | Tagged , , ,

Washington’s Innovative Glass Scene Seen at Artomatic 2024

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trish kent, patricia de poel wilberg, nancy kronstadt, april shelford, graciela granek, kate barfield
Washington Glass School Co Founder Erwin Timmers outlines the Studio Glass Movement timeline to audience at Artomatic 2024.

In the 1960s, The American Studio Glass movement transformed glass from craft into fine art.

Artomatic helped create the movement, as after the 2000 Artomatic, the Smithsonian Museum acquired artist Tim Tate’s glass sculpture that was on display. Artist Erwin Timmers’ artwork was also on exhibit at that Artomatic, and after that show, the two began to collaborate, later teaming up to start the Washington Glass School & Studio with the funds from the sale of Tate’s glass artwork to the Renwick.

Washington Glass School Co-Founder Tim Tate’s work at Artomatic 2024.

In 2008, Artomatic organized an exhibit at the Washington Glass School, showcasing the unique approaches to glass sculpture in three “glass” cities: Washington, DC; Toledo, Ohio; and Sunderland, England, fostering international partnerships and collaborative ventures.

Glass works by VA-based artist Griffon Dillon on exhibit at Artomatic 2024.

As the 21st century unfolded, artists across various media have shown growing interest in glass as a creative medium, despite its technical challenges. The Washington Glass Scene has emerged as a hub of innovation, elevating glass to a significant position in contemporary art. The Washington Glass School encourages artists to push boundaries and redefine the possibilities of glass as a fine art medium.

There is a great example of works by DC glass creatives on display at Artomatic 2024, open now thru April 28th. Although the glass works are on many of the 8 floors of art, the 5th floor is the central spot to get ones glass fix. Some photos of Washington Glass School’s reception are featured in this post.

Glass artwork by artist Michael Janis seen at Artomatic 2024 on M Street.

The James Renwick Alliance will hold a craft tour of works on display at Artomatic 2024, March 24th, at 1-3PM More info here on the free tour: James Renwick Alliance Craft Tour – 5th Floor Washington Glass School Installation – Artomatic.

patricia de poel wilberg, kate barfield, april shelford
Curator Howard Cohen reviewing glass art on exhibit at Artomatic 2024.

Baltimore based art curator Howard Cohen came this past weekend to Artomatic to handpick glass artists from the DC area for a contemporary glass showcase exhibit at Montpelier Art Center this June. Howard was able to talk with many of the artists and get insight to their narratives and process. Looking forward to the upcoming show!

artomatic 2024

Artomatic, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

Posted in american studio glass, artists of the washington glass school, artomatic, contemporary art glass, contemporary craft, contemporary sculpture, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass, wgs contemporary | Tagged , , , ,

Octopus Encounter!

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tara reagan fused glass art
One last look at the work inside the kiln – before firing.

Is it true that all octopuses are born in Octo-ber? Well, here is the ultimate proof! Artist Tana just completed her spectacular 36′ round octopus/sea life themed glass panel at the Washington Glass School! The finished glass panel will octo-py our hearts!!

Tara Reagan with her fully fused octopus.

Posted in artists of the washington glass school, washington glass school, Washington School of Glass

Happy Campers at the Glass School!

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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation offers assorted summer camps for the children – and what could be more fun than glass camp?! (For those of a certain age, cue song “Hello Muddah, hello Faddah”).

Instructors Erwin Timmers and Cheryl Edwards lead the summer art camp kids at the Glass School.

The 15 bright inquisitive imaginations were excited by the possibilities of glass + art (= awesomeness).

Instructor / Artist / Director / Dad – Erwin Timmers explains how kilns work for fused glass.
mike janis teaches casting
Artist Michael Janis shows the new glass fanatic where and how to cast in dry plaster.
One of the area’s newest glass superstars make her mark in the kiln.

Posted in "dry plaster casting" "washington glass school", "dry plaster casting" washington, brentwood arts exchange, m-ncppc, summer camp, washington glass school, Washington School of Glass

2023 Glass Coast Weekend Big Hit!

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The west coast of sunny Florida is where the glass art scene is hot! This past week, Habatat Detroit Fine Art held a glass extravaganza at the Ringling College of Art in beautiful Sarasota, FL. This was be their 8th Annual Glass Coast Weekend (GCW). This year the event paid homage to the past, present, and future of studio glass. The show featured noted artists, lectures, demos and a reception at the Ringling Museum of Art and the 5th Anniversary event at the Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg, FL.

Above is a quick video fly-thru of the main show at Ringling College of Art

The Glass Coast excitement continued up the coast – at Duncan McClellan Gallery, where Washington Glass School artists are featured in the groundbreaking “Dreams & Visions” exhibit (thru March 5).

Michael Janis with glass fans at Duncan McClellan Gallery during reception held for Washington Glass School artists.

WGS Artists Tim Tate and Michael Janis were featured at a series of receptions, lectures and demonstrations held at DMG over the weekend.

Artist Tim Tate narrates to the audience on the hotshop what techniques the gaffer is employing to create Tim’s sacred heart glass sculpture.
Tim Tate’s blown sculpture gets some heat!
Tim Tate’s Sacred Heart sculpture after annealing and cooling. Tim plans on working imagery into the work and presenting a new series of hearts.

Artist Michael Janis had a large audience in attendance for his presentation on “Art in Architecture”, where he talked about his design background and how it influenced his artwork and the public art sculpture made by the Washington Glass Studio.

Michael Janis talks about his pop art work made in collaboration with Chicago artist Tony Porto.
Michael Janis (center) with new collectors Steve and Debbie Lang at DMG reception.

Posted in 21st century glass, 21st century sculpture, american studio glass, art, art 2025, art exhibit, art fair, art gallery, duncan mcclellan, glass coast weekend, sarasota, st petersburg, studio art glass, twenty first century glass, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, Washington School of Glass, wgs, فن الزجاج الجديد, 新的玻璃