“What’s bad for your heart is good for your art.”
Perhaps no one understands this truth better than Veterans, many of whom endure pain of all types. It’s also true for many that creating something out of that pain promotes healing – so much so that 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.
A new arts community will be created, one that brings Veterans and artists together. For the next 8 weeks the healing power of glass as a sculptural medium will culminate in a special exhibition of artwork coinciding with the WGS Holiday Open Studio scheduled for December 9, 2023.
_____________________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL CAPITAL ART GLASS GUILD EXHIBITION
September 5– October 28
The National Capital Art Glass Guild (NCAGG) was founded in 1978 as a community of artisans interested in glass. The Guild’s Juried Show is now open at The Mansion at Strathmore. Glass artworks by WGS artists Erwin Timmers, April Shelford, Kate Barfield, Graciela Granek, and Patricia de Poel Wilberg are featured in what is sure to be a spectacular show!
September 5, 2023 – October 28, 2023
The Mansion is located at 10701 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, close to the Grosvenor Metro Station.
_____________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL EVENTS / MUSEUM & GALLERY SHOWS
_________________________________
Baltimore’s James E Lewis Museum of Art will exhibit WGS Resident Artist John Henderson’s glass artwork in an exhibit of works by the Black Artists of DC (BADC) members. Curated by Dr. Schroeder Cherry, the show runs June 22 thru Dec 8, 2023. Reception on Saturday, July 1, 2023
______________________________________
Media
______________________________________
Washington DC City Paper has awarded Second Place in the Best of DC Art Blog category to the Washington Glass School Blog! Merci DC!
Watch the Washington Glass School’s 2007 appearance on local PBS channel –WETA.
Fox News’ Holly Morris visited the Glass School to learn more about eco-art with Erwin Timmers. Watch this video segment.
Watch Washington Glass School on YouTube
BOOKS & Magazines
Glass Secessionism
The intent of this group is to underscore and define the 21st Century Sculptural Glass Movement and to illustrate the differences and strengths compared to late 20th century technique-driven glass. While the 20th century glass artists contributions have been spectacular and ground breaking, this group focuses on the aesthetic of the 21st century. The object of the Glass-Secession is to advance glass as applied to sculptural expression; to draw together those glass artists practicing or otherwise interested in the arts, and to discuss from time to time examples of the Glass-Secession or other narrative work. Jump to the Facebook group page.
The American Craft Council interviewed Tim Tate about the post-studio glass movement in its April/May 2014 magazine – click HERE to jump to the article.
American Craft Magazine Features Washington Glass Studio
The June/July 2013 issue of American Craft Magazine featured an “In Progress” review of the collaborative process employed in the creation of the new glass doors for the US Library of Congress Adams Building. An interview with Michael Janis and Tim Tate outlines how the spectacular doors came into being – over a 9 year period. Some great photos in the article!
Glass Art Magazine Features Michael Janis
The Jan/Feb 2017 issue of Glass Art Magazine features a great profile on Michael Janis. Michael was interviewed for Glass Art’s podcast series “Talking Out Your Glass” earlier in 2016, and the magazine has followed up their 2012 cover story about Michael with another great article!
American Style Magazine’s June 06 issue featured the works of Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Michael Janis, and Liz Mears, and reviewed the impact the Washington Glass School has on the ‘content-driven’ art movement.