Want to make your own decoration like you’re living your best Hallmark Christmas movie?! In this special class you will create your own festive colored glass wreath, or you can make a larger one with a partner or friend. Easy to hang in the window or in the tree! Create memories that would work great as you go home for Christmas while creating art, for yourself or as a gift (for that special someone -perhaps a secret prince of some sort- or someone who may or may not be Santa?). No glass experience is needed.
Your glass wreath ornament can become the treasure that will save the family inn/bookshop/bakery/choir/farm… if you only would listen to your heart!
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!
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
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.
Washington Glass School 3700 Otis Street, MD Rainier, MD
This Election Day 2024 is SO important! Make your voice heard! Washington Glass School’s Resident Artist Patricia Kent’s glass art shines light on democracy!
Trish Kent, VOTE!, 2024, kilnformed glass. 24″W x 60″H. Trish Kent, The Divided States of America, 2023, kilnformed glass, mixed mediaArtist Trish Kent talks about their statement glass artwork at Montpelier Arts Center in 2024.
Did you ever wonder about the mosaic art pieces you may have seen in archeological sites? Mosaics are one of the most beautiful and ancient ways to create art and express ideas. There are several materials that can be used to create mosaics. In this class, you will be able to learn different techniques to create your own mosaic art that will endure the passing of time. You will learn how to prepare a mosaic substrate, learn to cut glass, design and finish 2 plaques of 8 by 8 inches on your own. Most of the work will be done on the first workshop day. The mosaic has to truly dry before applying grout, therefore, we will meet the next day to apply the grout and do final touches.
A brand new class that will shed some light on the world of glass! No prior experience is necessary! (just a little patience!) You’ll have a chance to work with glass powders, stringers, and frit, and to experiment with cutting shapes and selecting color schemes. We’ll have plenty of samples to inspire your own design. You make the glass, we’ll take care of firing them and fixing them to their base. Two night lights are included in the workshop price. If you want to make more, additional night lights are $25 a piece.
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 2001Early 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.
In 2024, DC artist Kelly Towles painted a mural “I ❤ Glass” on the facade of the glass school.
On this 9/11 day of remembrance, we reflect on the resilience embodied by the “Survivor Glass”—the only window to remain intact out of over 40,000 at the World Trade Center. Found near Ground Zero, this piece of glass from the 82nd floor of the South Tower stands as a symbol of strength amid unimaginable loss. As artists who work with glass, we understand the qualities of the material and the powerful stories it can hold. Today, we honor the lives lost, the strength of the survivors, and the enduring spirit of our nation. On this day of remembrance, we reflect on the resilience and strength found in the smallest things.
Unbroken glass from the 82nd floor of the South Tower on display at the 9/11 Memorial Museum.Circle shows location of window in the Twin Tower rubble.
Mount Rainier Arts Commission held its August social at the Glass School, and despite the heat, conversation flowed!
MRAC Torie Partridge outlines what the arts commission hopes to accomplish with the artists of Mt Rainier, MD.L-R Jarrett Hendrix, Dave D’Orio, Torie Partridge, John Daemond, Anne Marchand.Torie Partridge, Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers chatErwin Timmers caught with his hand in the cheez balls!
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!
MRAC L-R Deanna Noel, Becca Solow, Tessla Thompson at the July event held at Pennyroyal Station.WGS Co Director Michael Janis shares a laugh with MRAC’s John Daemond
And a great time to view the new Kelly Towles mural on the side of the Glass school!
Kelly Towles’ mural “I ❤ Glass” on the Washington Glass School, August 2024
