>
Judith Schaechter, Widow, (2008), Collection of Colleen and John Kotelly, Photo by Dominic Episcopo/Renwick Gallery, SI
The Grand Poobah Savior of Stained Glass – Judith Schaechter – who single-handedly revolutionized the craft of stained glass through her unique aesthetic and inventive approach to materials is one of the featured artists at the Smithsonian Institute‘s exhibition, “History in the Making: Renwick Craft Invitational 2011.”
Judith held a Creativity Workshop as part of the James Renwick Alliance‘s “Distinguished Artist” series this past weekend at the Washington Glass School. photos by Miriam Rosenthal / Third Eye Photography
The workshop participants re-enact Da Vinci’s “Last Supper with Judith Schaechter“
Judith workshop was geared towards getting the participants to expand their creative practice, and had some fun creative exercises for everyone.
Judith has plans for the unsuspecting class.
L-R Jimmy Powers, Clemmer Montague, Sherry Selevan, Diane Cooper Cabe begin unleashing their creative wills.
Judith shares her thoughts with Elmerina and Paul Parkman.
Soon creativity is flying around the school – unstoppable. Ideas for artwork, fashion, events – everything at once. The innermost thoughts of the participants are explored.
Judith indicates her approval of the designs.
What one of the students was contemplating.
See more of Judith Schaechter’s work in the exhibition “History in the Making: Renwick Craft Invitational 2011,” on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery through July 31. The show was curated by Renwick curator Nicholas R. Bell. The artists were selected by Bell, Ulysses Dietz, senior curator at The Neward Museum and Andrew Wagner. The exhibition also features the work of silversmith Ubaldo Vitali, ceramic artist Cliff Lee and furnituremaker Matthias Pliessnig.
Posted in distinguished artist, james renwick alliance, judith schaechter, renwick gallery, smithsonian, thirdeyephotography, workshop
>
photos by Demetra Theofanous
An earlier WGS blog post mentions that our own master of glass imagery – Michael Janis – was heading out west to teach a series of workshops at California’s Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI).
Michael’s workshops were about integrating imagery into glass – one workshop was creating deep bas-relief and in the other workshop he taught how he does his unique frit powder drawing technique.
Below are some photos of the California workshops:
Making clear and color bas-relief samples.
The students try out working in the plaster molds.
Mark adds color to his work; a student’s work shows the cast glass bristles of a paintbrush.
BAGI Executive Director Mark Murai is amazed at the detail captured by the kilnformed glass.
Michael Janis describes what goes on inside the glass during the firing.
Michael reveals all his secrets in how to use frit powder for drawing and how the layers of glass create the depth of the work.
Michael said he had really enjoyed working at BAGI’s facilities: “It’d be my new home… it has that experimental vibe – where as an artist you can really respond and can take your work the next level.”
Click HERE to jump to BAGI’s website.
Posted in BAGI, bay area glass institute, fused glass imagery, glass, imagery in glass, kilncast, workshop
>
Michael Janis discussing his work.
WGS’ Michael Janis will be jetting off to sunny California to teach at the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI). Michael received the 2010 Saxe Fellowship for his work in glass, and he will be teaching bas relief casting and imagery in glass workshops. Click HERE to jump to BAGI’s workshop listing on its website.
The Bay Area Glass Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Art Education facility founded in 1996 to make glass art accessible to all and provide continued artistic and educational growth to artists, patrons and the community. BAGI is funded in part by the City of San Jose’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the Arts Council Silicon Valley.
Posted in BAGI, bay area glass institute, mike janis, silicon valley, workshop
BOOTCAMP FOR ARTISTS 
