Glass Woodcut Prints

Mortimer and the Octopus | 2009
left: water color and woodcut print on Rives BFK | 11" x 24"
right: glass and oak | 16" x 28" x 6.5" (closed) | 32" x 28" x 6.5" (open)

Kirk Waldroff, a DC-based printmaker and sculptor, uses traditional woodcut techniques to create non-traditional prints in glass, concrete and on paper. His mixed media works depict invented saints and never-told fables.
Kirk's work was featured in the international exhibition of glass artwork, "Glass 3" in Georgetown in 2008, where he exhibited his beautiful technique that combines printmaking and sculptural glass. Kirk has a solo show of his glass woodcuts at NOVA's Waddell Gallery opening Jan 11 titled: Saints and Fables: Prints and Print-based Sculpture

Saint Funiculus | 2009
left: woodcut on unryu | 3.5" x 24" | edition of three
middle: glass, oak, flourescent lighting | 9" x 30" x 6"
right: concrete, grout, gold leaf | 3.5" x 24"

Theodulus and the Egret | 2009
left: water color and woodcut print on Rives BFK | 11" x 24"
right: glass and oak | 16" x 28" x 6.5" (closed) | 32" x 28" x 6.5" (open)

From Kirk Waldroff's artist statement:

I draw great inspiration from art that I consider beautifully melancholy and aim to make pieces that are at once dark, humorous, and thought-provoking. I often draw upon religious imagery and enjoy employing social and historical themes as well.

Since the beginning of my education in art, I have been most attracted to printmaking. I enjoy the methodology as well as the very tactile link to the past this medium provides. In addition, printmaking is uniquely poised to integrate and borrow from new technologies and methods. My most recent glass and concrete cast-prints blend the traditional art of woodblock printing with innovative techniques in sculptural casting and are certainly the only of their kind.

Saint Cuspis | 2009
left: woodcut on unryu | 3.5" x 24" | edition of three
middle: glass, oak, flourescent lighting | 9" x 30" x 6"
right: concrete, grout, gold leaf | 3.5" x 24"
detail of Kirk's glass woodcut technique


Candy for Sachiko | 2009
left: woodcut print on Rives BFK | edition of one | 7" x 32"
right: glass and oak | 11" x 36" x 6.5" (closed) | 22" x 36" x 6.5" (open)

Saints and Fables
Prints and Print-based Sculpture
January 11 - February 12, 2010

Gallery Talk: Wednesday, January 20, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Reception: Friday, January 22, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Waddell Art Gallery
Northern Virginia Community College

1000 Harry Flood Byrd Highway
Sterling, VA 20164 (google map)

Sculpture NOW 2010

The Washington Sculptors Group held a competition amongst its members for the Sculpture NOW 2010 exhibition opening Jan 5 at DC's Edison Place Gallery. The juror for the show was Ryan Hill. Ryan is the Curatorial Research Associate for the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden. He also teaches art courses as an Adjunct Professor at George Washington University and is a working artist.

For the WSG show, Ryan has chosen artworks that use non-traditional materials, explore layering and decentered compositions and reflect our information-driven society. Our Washington Glass School director, Erwin Timmers has work selected to be featured in the show.

Please join us on opening night and to see the latest works of DC sculptors: Karen Bondarchuk, Leah Frankel, Kerry Furlani, Tom Greaves, Jason Haber, Ray Hau, Leila Holtsman, James Mallos, Bill Moore, Elena Patino, Mike Shaffer, John Simpkins-Camp, Erwin Timmers, Patricia Tinajero, Elizabeth Whiteley, and Alice Yutzy.

When: Friday, January 5, 2010, 6-8pm
Where: Pepco's Edison Place Gallery

702 8th St. N.W.
Washington, DC 20001

Washington Sculptors Group, founded in 1984, promotes an awareness and an understanding of sculpture and fosters the exchange of ideas among sculptors, collectors and the general public. For more information on WSG, click HERE.

Laurel Art Guild's Call For Artists

41st Annual LAG Open Juried Exhibition
The Laurel Art Guild (located in the grounds of the historic Montpelier Mansion) is a non-profit organization of people interested in the advancement of the fine arts. Each year, the organization has a call for artists to submit entries for their annual juried exhibition of artwork. This year is the 41st Open Juried Exhibition, and I am honored to be the judge for this year's event.
The membership of the Guild consists of professional and amateur artists expressing themselves through a wide variety of media. The Guild strives to promote public appreciation for the support of its endeavors through community involvement.
For more information on the Laurel Art Guild, including membership and exhibition opportunities - click HERE.

Laurel Art Guild 41st Annual Open Juried Exhibition Eligibility
Any artist who resides in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia (DMV) over 18 years old may submit two entries, however, only one entry per artist will be exhibited.
Any original two dimensional work in any medium, completed in the last three years and not previously shown at Montpelier Arts Center, is eligible. Framed dimensions must not exceed 48" high X 36" wide. Wall mounted three dimensional work that meets the specific hanging requirements will be considered.
Screening will be done by 35mm slides or jpg files on disk.

• Show Schedule for the exhibitors
  January 29 Postmark Deadline for slides/CD
  February 15 Notifications will be available on website
  March 2 Deliver Art Work; 12-2pm & 6-8pm
  March 5 Exhibit opens to the public
  March 7 Reception 2-4pm
  March 28 Exhibit closes
  March 29 Pick up artwork; 12-2pm & 6-8pm

Questions can be referred to Sherill Anne Gross at: lagopen@laurelartguild.org

Click HERE for complete Call-for-Entry prospectus pdf.

Tim Tate @ the Fuller Museum

Artist Tim Tate will have artwork featured in Brockton's Fuller Craft Museum in a groundbreaking show titled "The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Craft", which will run from May 29, 2010 thru February 6, 2011.

Curated by Fo Wilson, The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Craft steps beyond the boundaries that currently exist among technology, art, and craft. The artists in this exhibition use new technologies in tandem with traditional craft materials – clay, glass, wood, metal and fiber – to forge new artistic directions.

Tim Tate
Longing For A Hundred Years
14x6x6 Blown and cast glass, electronics, video
Video is of a sound test from Thomas Edison. First video image of 2 men dancing ever captured.

Digital video and audio, computerized design, and other technologies are viewed as new materials to be exploited, manipulated and co-opted to enrich artistic expression. The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Craft examines this phenomenon and its impact on the world of contemporary craft.

Click HERE to jump to the Fuller Craft Museum website.

Holiday Wishes

The Artists and Staff of the Washington Glass School & Studio wish everyone
Happy Holidays!

unknown artist ca 2002
fused float glass with copper inclusion

Miami International Art Fair

Miami International Art Fair (January 6-10) kicks off the 2010 international art fair season at the Miami Beach Convention Center (1700 Convention Dr., Miami Beach). Galleries from every continent will be presenting the best in contemporary art, photography, video, and installation art. The fair includes a lecture series featuring prominent experts in Latin American and International Contemporary Art.
From the MIA press release:

The Projects Gallery of Philadelphia will present work by the internationally acclaimed Cuban photographer, Marta Maria Perez Bravo, who represented Cuba in the III Havana Biennial and the XXI Sao Paulo Biennial. Projects will also be exhibiting artwork by: Florencio Lennox Campello, whose recent work has featured Cuba as the star of a series of mixed media paintings and etchings; Michael Janis, Co-Director of the Washington Glass School in Washington, D.C. and the Florida Glass Art Alliance’s ‘Outstanding Emerging Artist 2008-2009’; Cirenaica Moreira, who plays the lead role in her tableau-like photographs focusing on the performing arts; Sandra Ramos, one of today’s most important and controversial contemporary Cuban artists; and Tim Tate, Co-Founder of the Washington Glass School, and 2003 Mayor’s Art Award winner for ‘Outstanding Emerging Artist for Washington, DC.’
Read the full MIA press release HERE

Washington Glass School artists Erwin Timmers and Anne Plant round out the show's featured artists.

Click HERE to jump to the MIA website

Blue Spiral 1 Gallery to feature Washington Glass School artists

Blue Spiral 1 Gallery in Asheville, NC - one of the East Coast's premier discipline based fine art gallery will feature the work of WGS' Michael Janis and Tim Tate in a show that will span throughout the 15,000 square-foot space. New X Three is Blue Spiral's annual exhibition that introduces diverse artists who have never before exhibited at the gallery; offering a fresh perspective for the New Year.

New X Three
January 7 - March 21, 2010
Opening Reception Thursday, January 7, 5-8 pm
38 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
828.251.0202

Flowers in the Snow

A tremendous snowstorm socked in the East Coast right before Christmas, dumping almost 2 feet (60cm) of snow on Washington in one day.

Neon artist Jim Manning took some shots of the snow as it piled up on his outdoor neon sculptures - his "belle garden neonies".

Going...

going...

going...

gone.

Click here to see more of Jim's artwork.

Prince Georges County Courthouse continues ...

Further to earlier posts, work on the Prince George's County Courthouse sculpture continues - in cold weather.

Erwin Timmers lays out the support for neon artwork

Erwin Timmers and Alonzo Davis as seen inside the cupola.

Rising Star: Anne Plant

Anne Plant "No Tillage"

Anne Plant's artwork has had a tremendous response and has garnered the attention of a number of galleries, curators and collectors. Anne is a scientist and is a resident artist at the Glass School.
Anne's evocative landscapes were first on exhibit at this year's Washington, DC "Artomatic"art fair and artDC Gallery's The Common Element show. She is now planning a show at the NIH (National Institutes of Health) Gallery, and the Miami International Art Fair, with Projects Gallery of Philadelphia.
Congratulations Anne!

2008 photo of Anne Plant working at Penland School of Craft

"As a professional scientist, I explore glass as a medium because of the myriad of forms and combinations that provide opportunities for experimentation. Combining the clarity and luminosity of the glass with imbedded imagery creates both beauty and story.

These works are created with ordinary window (float) glass. These images are constructed by painting parts of the scene onto different layers of glass, which are then fused together.

In this series, the physical depth of the glass layers is used to enhance the feeling of separation, distance and atmosphere. Anne Plant

Pass Through

Winter Broads

Commissioned Public Art for Prince George's County

In earlier posts we described the Washington Glass Studio's design for an outdoor public artwork @ the Prince George's County Circuit Courthouse. The original courthouse was destroyed in a terrible fire in 2004. After the fire was put out, the bell tower cupola structure was salvaged, and the Washington Glass Studio designed a new forecourt sculpture that uses the original cupola structure and copper dome as the basis for the entry artwork at the recently refurbished courthouse.

Installation of the cast glass has started - here are some in-progress photos:

Casting glass components for sculpture in the kiln.

Nicole Puzan sets cast glass into the custom steel frame.

Michael Janis prepares the center inset cast glass panels.

The refurbished cupola onsite at Prince George's County Courthouse.

Alonzo Davis reviews installation of steel framework.

Installing the glass into the steel.

Erwin Timmers coordinates the metal artwork.

Images of the legal system and community are cast into the glass - the new courthouse can be glimpsed as a reflection in the glass.

Looking thru the glass from the interior of the cupola.

Still to be installed - the neon elements and the outdoor seating.

Holiday Event Heats Up!

The Falls Church News has given a great commentary on this weekend's Glass School open house - & they don't lie!
Join us in our 8th annual Holiday Sale - artwork and craft from over a dozen studio artists and instructors. Artists exhibiting include: Michael Janis, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Syl Mathis, Nancy Donnelly, Sean Hennessey, Rania Hassan, Jennifer Lindstrom, David Pearcy, Anne Plant, Cheryl Derricotte, David Cook, Allegra Marquart, Chris Shea, Lillian Fitzgerald, Jim Manning, Nancy Krondstat, Debra Ruzinsky, Marty King, Leslie Beil and more!

Northern Virginia Art Beat

By Kevin Mellema

Wednesday, December 09 2009

D.C. on Display

The Gateway Arts District, in the Mount Rainier to Hyattsville, Md. area, is holding its semi-annual open house event this Saturday, Dec. 12.

With all the art venues open at one time, it’s the perfect opportunity to check out what is fast becoming one of Washington’s key art enclaves.

The area is most noted for its collection of glass- and clay-based artists who have taken those traditionally craft-related materials and brought them into the fine art world.

Virtually all of the artists in the Otis St. warehouse complex are well-known on a regional level. Tim Tate and Michael Janis of the Washington Glass School are both coming off significant successes at Chicago’s SOFA show and Miami Basel.

Tate is starting to get a decent footing on the international level, and is arguably the best known D.C. artist of this generation. Which is not to slight the rest of the pack here.

If you added up all the significant regional shows these folks have been in, it would likely be well over a thousand. When/if the D.C. arts region gets back on the national map again, it’s likely to happen here first. At this rate, you may not have to wait long to see that happen.

For the full article link - click HERE
Washington Glass School & Studio
Holiday Show /Open Studio / Sale
3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712
202.744.8222
2 pm til 6 pm , Saturday, December 12, 2009
Free and open to the public

Washington Glass School

From YouTube - a short documentary about the Washington Glass School, made in early 2008

NEW WINTER CLASS SCHEDULE

The Washington Glass School's Winter Schedule is now available - check it out! For more info on registration - go to the Washington Glass School website - click HERE

Class 1001 - Beginner's Glass Lover's Weekend

Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of professional glass artists you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping & dimensional kiln casting. Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects....this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass....and you will leave with several very cool items! The class is offered 3 times during the Winter Class Semester.

Instructors : Tim Tate / Nicole Puzan
Dates : Offered 3 times this semester
Session 1001A - Sat/Sun January 16 & 17
Session 1001B – Sat/Sun February 20 & 21
Session 1001C – Sat/Sun March 27 & 28
Time : 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition : $300 for each weekend session)

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Class 1002 - Glass Bowls, Bowls, Bowls!!!

OK…we hear you! So many people love beautiful bowls! Glitzy dichroic on glass? Wow! Bullseye glass, float glass – even dichroic glass will be used – learn the secrets and tricks of these types of materials. This class will help you focus on your fusing techniques and slumping skills & is a great class to immerse yourself in to really get hooked on glass! All levels.

Instructor: Nicole Puzan
Dates: Tuesday evenings, January 12, 19, 26
Time: 6:30pm to 9pm each day
Tuition: $325
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Class 1003 – Kiln Casting With Lea Topping

Lea Topping has long been one of our favorite casters and certainly has been a favorite at the Torpedo Factory for the last 20 years! Students will learn focus on silica/plaster casting. The basics of glass casting will be discussed and class time will be devoted to technique demonstrations and individual student work. This class is perfect for the sculptor who wants to translate their forms into glass.

Instructor : Lea Topping
Dates Sundays January 31, February 7, 14
Time : 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition : $325
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Class 1004 - Beginning MIG Welding

Want to try your hand at welding? Ever thought about making a metal stand to display your glass? How about a metal frame? You can do it yourself, and it’s easier than you think. In 3 evenings you will learn how to make a display stand or frame to show off your work at its best. You will also leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending, and finishing.

Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates : Wednesday evenings in January 13, 20, 27
Time : 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Tuition : $300 per student

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Class 1005 - Get Your Imagery In The Glass

Want a focused class that shows how to get your artistic images fused into glass? In this one day workshop, glass artist Michael Janis will show you what processes he uses to gets his incredibly detailed artwork - and some alternate methods. This hands-on class will deal with high-fire enamels, powders, and more.
Class Limit: 6 students

Instructor: Michael Janis
Date: Saturday, February 13
Time: 1:00 to 5 pm
Tuition: $200

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Class 1006 - Recycle your Glass

Green up your life by doing something creative to help the environment! This is an exploration into using recycled glass to make sculptural pieces, architectural elements, jewelry and tableware. We will delve into various techniques, including casting, fusing and slumping. Once you start down the path of recycled glass, you will see more and more opportunities for experimentation around you. Glass chemistry, coloration, and firing temperatures will be explained for each particular application. No prior experience is necessary - you are encouraged to bring in materials you’d like to try.

Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates : Wednesday evenings in February 10, 17, 24
Time : 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Tuition : $300

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Class 1007 - The Great Bullseye Roll-Up

If you've ever been interested in making your fused glass panels into blown vessels - this is the class for you! Come experience one of the most exciting trends in glass - where you will get the best of both worlds. One class will be spent fusing a Bullseye glass panel at the Washington Glass School. The next class will be held at DC GlassWorks where you will help to blow the fused glass into a vase, or a bowl, or go even go more sculptural! This class is for all experience levels, and is perfect for both fusers and blowers who want to see their imagery in blown glass. Everyone will further their own knowledge and broaden both their vocabulary and abilities.

Instructors: Dave D'Orio, Michael Janis
Dates: Saturday February 27 and March 6
Time: 1:30 to 5 pm each day
Tuition $350

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Class 1008 - Photographic Image Transfers On Glass

The photo-emulsion transfer process did not die with Polaroid. Learn how to take your images, manipulate them, and put them on almost any surface using Fuji’s instant print film. Instructors Alison & Pete Duvall will show you several tips and techniques so you can get the most out of your images. This will be a hands-on workshop, so come prepared to get your hands dirty. All materials will be supplied by the instructors but students are encouraged to bring their own slides and any materials they would like to transfer images to. There is a $20 lab fee for supplies to be paid to the instructors on the day of the workshop.

Instructor: Pete and Alison Duvall
Date: Sunday, Feb 28
Time: 1 to 4 pm
Cost: $150 (+20 lab fee)

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Class 1009 - Introduction to Rubber Mold Making

In this weekend class you will tackle the mysteries of making rubber molds. Use molds for the production of parts that can be duplicated in wax – the first step for casting glass, bronze or aluminum in the Lost Wax Process. (Hint: Debra’s amazing Lost Wax Glass Casting class will be offered next semester – plan ahead!) Bring in your own pieces to review and explore mold production, undercuts, multipart mold-making, and casting of wax. You will learn about a variety of materials and which to use in different situations. You will be asked to bring a minimum of 3 small objects (not more than 1.5” in any direction).

Instructor: Debra Ruzinsky
Dates: Sat/Sun March 6 & 7
Time: 9:30am - 1:30pm each day
Tuition: $300

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Class 1010 – Sculptural Metalwork

Are you ready to take your metal creations to the next level? This class will be a hands-on exploration of various metal techniques, including welding and forging with well-known metalsmith Chris Shea. This is a rare opportunity to work with one of the best in the region! This is a great interactive and energetic class for those frustrated sculptors out there who really want to grow. Hammers away! Previous welding experience is preferred – but not necessary.

Instructors: Chris Shea, Erwin Timmers
Dates: Saturday March 6, 13, 20, 27
Times: 2 to 5pm each day
Tuition: $400

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Class 1011 - X-treme Lava Lover's Weekend!

This X-treme class is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm and hot glass and hot metal!! in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of several professional glass artists you will learn the basics of how to fuse and kiln-cast glass, blow glass, and cast molten aluminum in one quick weekend! Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects....this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass and metal....and you will leave with several very cool items! For this class we will team up with our sister school, DC GlassWorks. The first day will be at our facilities, the second day there. What’s cooler than melting glass and metal?!

Instructors: Tim Tate/ Dave D’Dorio
Dates: Sat/Sun - March 13 & 14
Time: 1 to 5pm each day
Tuition: $400
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Class 1012 - Painting with Wax: Basic/Intermediate Encaustic Workshop

Encaustic painting involves the use of beeswax as the medium. It is often mixed with pigment but color can also be added both before and after application of the wax. The wax is applied in molten form and each layer is fused with heat to the support, generally a board. The inherent translucency of the medium is beguiling and encourages layers of information. Encaustic is incredibly versatile - it can be carved into; collaged; Xerox transfers can be applied - the fun is in the experimenting!

Instructor: Ellyn Weiss
Dates: Sat/Sun March 20 & 21
Time: 10am to 3pm each day
Tuition: $300 + $25 materials fee

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Class 1013 - Open Studio at your Own Pace

Already know the basics of casting or fusing? Open Studio gives each student the opportunity to work independently in a world class studio. Tuition includes a kiln firing per session, clear base glass and colored scrap glass, use of studio tools.

Instructor : Studio Staff
Dates : Wed/Thurs/Sat afternoons (call to confirm appointment)
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300 for 4 sessions