Environmental Art in NYC

Excess and Environment:
sustainability in a world of consumption

"What We Leave Behind" by Erwin Timmers
Materials: cast recycled window glass, steel. Dimensions: 70" x 50" x 16"
The beautiful dark green glass with gold highlights was recovered from the construction site of a Virginia office building where the building was undergoing a cosmetic updating of the facade. The spandrel glass discarded from the old building was used as the basis of the cast glass panels.

About the exhibition: "Excess and Environment"
The presence of excess exists in our day-to-day lives, but often hides behind masks of disposal systems, social acceptance, and misinformation. This exhibition explores the idea of the impact of our excess on our natural environment both visually and theoretically. The art involved will relate to mass consumption and waste's effects on the environment. Art using these excess materials as a medium will also represent this concept of sustainability in the midst of excess.

Excess and Environment
Opening Reception:
Friday, April 16th 2010
7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
AE Studios LIC, 39-06 Crescent Street, Long Island City, Queens, NY 11101
(One stop on the subway away from Midtown Manhattan)

Artists showing work include Chris Jordan, Eve Mosher, Walter "Tinho" Nomura, Justin Gignac, Akirash, Mikal Hameed, Erwin Timmers, Miles Wickham, Beau Stanton, Destroy and Rebuild, Christina Chobot, Trash Track and more.

"What We Leave Behind" Erwin Timmers
Detail: images of panels depicting the 1980's and 2000's

According to the artist, the series, What We Leave Behind was conceived from the viewpoint of an archaeologist, who might, centuries from now, uncover artifacts from our era. Just like the archaeologist, you are looking down to uncover the items. Elements are recognizable from the various decades … objects once in popular use but now resting in landfills.

The title of the work is based on the book about our culture of excess and the impact our trash will continue to make long after we are gone: "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman.

The profits from the art sold at this exhibit will be split between the artists and Art for Global Justice, so that we may sustain the local artist community and keep Art for Global Justice's youth workshops and art exchange program going.

CASE STUDY: Glass Sculpture as Public Art

Prince George's County Circuit Courthouse

If you have been following the ongoing story of the Washington Glass Studio's design and progress of the installation of Prince George County's Upper Marlboro courthouse glass public art sculpture - the installation is almost complete. As described in the June 2009 blog posting -

The historic 1939 Circuit Court building was devastated by fire in 2004, completely destroying the ornate Duvall Wing. The old bell tower that was atop the portico entry had been reduced to the structural frame and the historic bell within had crashed down to the ground during the fire.

The cupola's 124-year-old bell fell through the second floor during the fire and was buried in the rubble. (photo: Mark E. Brady -- Prince George's County Fire/emergency Medical)
For a number of years, during the renovation of the courthouse, the bell tower structure continued to deteriorate on what had become a construction site for both the courthouse expansion and the renovation of the damaged courthouse.

The structural remains of the original 1939 bell tower cupola.

In 2008 Prince George's County asked two of the artists that had made artwork for the interior of the Marbury Wing court expansion to collaborate and come up with some concepts for the front entry courtyard of the refurbished court building as it neared completion; Washington Glass Studio and Alonzo Davis. Early on, the decision was made to restore the original bell tower cupola as the centerpoint of the public artwork sculpture, and that informed the many design concepts explored. Infill panels made of cast glass with courthouse/legal imagery, sandcarved glass infill panels, backlighting with computer controlled LED panel lighting effects, neon lighting - were some of the many different ideas that were explored and the design options were narrowed down, documented and presented to the courthouse committee, headed by Circuit Court Judge Sheila Tillerson-Adams.

Different concepts of integration of lighting and cast recycled glass were explored.

Titled "Rebirth and Renewal ", the concept was modified with input from the judges and the committee, and in late 2009, the original steel structure and copper dome top was restored and set into a new paved area outside the courthouse, near the main courthouse entry. Glass began being cast into bas-relief panels with imagery based on the courts, the legal system, Prince George's County, and the original court building.

Cast bas-relief panels made from recycled glass were made with court and community based imagery. Michael Janis begins coldworking the panels. Nicole Puzan installs the cast textured panels into the steel framework.

Steel frames were made for the glass panel infill support. Neon artist Marty King made a neon representation of the original bell of the bell tower, which, by tradition, was struck at 9.30 am each day court was in session. An engineer certified the original bell tower cupola's structural integrity for the modifications and reuse. Custom benches for seating around the artwork were started. The chamfered corner panel infills were designed to incorporate detailed county seals representing the counties served by the Circuit Court. These panels were clear, with deep, intricate sandcarved panels. In December of 2009, all the elements were coming together, and installation of the cast glass began.

Erwin Timmers tests the neon. Erwin Timmers and Alonzo Davis bolt the infill panels to the steel structure.

During the installation, the Washington, DC area was hit by two snowstorms that dumped the largest amount of snow ever recorded in the area's history, and installation had to work around the snow removal efforts.

The names of the Circuit Court refurbishment committee are acknowledged in sandcarved panels mounted in the glass and steel sculpture. The cast recycled glass alternates with clear glass to allow alternating views looking into the neon bell sculpture and allowing diffused lighting from the neon to illuminate the cast glass symbols.

The final elements were recently installed, and the neon switched on. In the next couple of weeks, the professional photos of the cast glass public art sculpture will be taken by Anything Photographic - and we will post. The photos of the artwork are now online - Click HERE to jump to photos of the finished work.

McLean Project for the Arts Call for Entries

McLean Project for Arts have announced their Call for Entries:

Fantastic Journeys
Works inspired by the spirit of adventure, exploration or utopian visions are sought.
Fantastic Journeys will be jurored by Beatrice Gralton, the Evelyn S. Nef Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. The exhibition will run from June 17 through July 31. Deadline for submission is April 12, 2010 at 5pm.

All Mid-Atlantic artists (DC,VA, MD, PA, NJ, DE,WV) are invited to submit up to four digital images (jpegs) of 2 or3-dimensional, installation or video works completed within the last two years and not previously exhibited at MPA. Works that move beyond traditional forms and media are encouraged. Works must fit through a 81" x 65" doorway.

AWARDS Cash prizes totaling $1,500 will be awarded by the juror. Decisions are final.

Click HERE to get the MPA submission pdf.

Robert Kincheloe wins Emerging Artist Award

Robert Kincheloe (our new studio coordinator/resident artist/flamework artist extraordinaire) was just awarded Glasscraft's Emerging Artist Award for his "outstanding skill" and for his "technical and artistic innovation".
The glass journal The Flow , features a profile article about Robert and his amazing flamework art. Previous winners of the emerging artist award includes Steve Sizelove, Christian Luginger and one of our favorite flameworking artists; Carmen Lozar.

Congratulations Robert!

Click HERE to jump to Roberts website.

Registration For Classes - ONLINE!

The Washington Glass School has finally moved forward with the secure online class registration option pf PayPal! (Yay! Huzzah! About Time!)

Now when you look online at the list of classes, register yourself right then and there - immediate gratification (finally!)

Have a look at the class list below - registration is now easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

Washington Glass School's

Spring & Summer Schedule 2010
Class 1014 - Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend
Class 1015 - Lighting Solutions For Your Home
Class 1016 - Beginning Sculptural Flameworking
Class 1017 - The Next Step in Sculptural Flameworking
Class 1018 - Bowls Bowls Bowls
Class 1019 - Bullseye Glass Rollup Class
Class 1020 - Get Your Imagery In the Glass Workshop
Class 1021 - Basics of Lost Wax Casting
Class 1022 - Beginning MIG Weldng
Class 1023 - Photographic Image Transfer on Glass Workshop
Class 1024 - Open Studio
Seminar 222 - "Social Networking & Marketing Your Art"
Seminar 333 - Demo "Inflating Fused Glass by guest artist Matt Szosz"

Seminar 444 - Special Day of Photographing Your Art

Class registration 1014 Beg. Glass Lover's $300.00 1015 Lighting Solutions $350.00 1016 Beg. Flameworking $200.00 1017 Next Step $200.00 1018 Glass Bowls $325.00 1019 Roll-up $350.00 1020 Imagery $200.00 1021 Lost Wax $350.00 1022 MIG $325.00 222 Seminar: Social Networking $20.00

Pop-Up Project Art Exhibition

Amy Morton of Morton Fine Art will have the grand opening for a pop-up project, a series of innovative, curated art exhibitions and events that “pop-up” at various locations throughout Washington, DC this Friday, March 26, 2010.

The first exhibition, I Dream Awake runs from March 26 to May 28, 2010 at625-627 E St, NW, Washington, DC (the former Numark Gallery space in Penn Quarter).

I Dream Awake is a curated selection of works that presents original artist expressions which explore the link between awakened realities and unconscious dreams. The exhibition includes artwork in various media by New York artists, Mikel Glass, Kenichi Hoshine and Margaret Bowland; Los Angeles artists Vonn Sumner and Susan Burnstine; and local artists Rosemary Feit Covey, Laurel Hausler, Lizzie Newton and our glass guru, Tim Tate.

Amy Morton says of her first pop-up show: "The premise for the opening exhibition, came to me in the form of a dream a few months ago. I have long valued how my mind works while I am asleep, particularly in the realm of creativity and problem-solving. Coded answers to core questions regarding the individual or collective human condition can be accessed, digested and discovered in the gray area between the conscious and the unconscious...I Dream Awake is a selection of talented artists from DC, NYC and LA that highlights the power of this area of the human mind and how it affects and moves us".

The formal opening reception with the artists in attendance will be held on Friday, March 26th from 6 - 9pm.

Erwin Timmers Environmental Artwork Sculpture

Erwin Timmer's original concept sketch for the cast recycled glass panel sculpture.

The actual installation of the glass sculpture. The vision and reality are a close match!

This weekend, Erwin Timmers installed a major commissioned art work for the new environmentally conscious building at 1129 20^th St. NW, Washington, DC, also known as "The Liberty Building".

1129 20th St, NW, Washington, DC

Working together with Anna Major of Fox Architects and building owner John Gattuso, the wall sculpture is a site–specific piece that has a dialog with Margaret Boozer’s ceramic artwork installation also in the building lobby.

The owner wanted artwork with a vertical orientation to echo the architectural aspects of the space, mounted atop the subtle-textured white limestone wall. Although the building and its lobby are very minimalist in design, a strong artwork was desired to work in contrast. In the owners words, the wall is beautiful, but sooner or later people are going to ask him, “…when are you going put up the art?”

The wall sculpture created by casting with recycled window glass is central to the concept of this piece. Erwin was selected for the commission in part because of his use of sustainable design in his artwork, and his use of recycled glass has the artwork keep in the nature of the building's LEED gold certified design. Window glass or float glass is one of the least recycled building materials and many recycling advocacy organizations and programs consider it the pariah of their work. Less than 3% percent of discarded float glass is recycled, and this project provided the opportunity to divert at least some from the waste stream.

Erwin Timmers installing the recycled glass artwork on the limestone wall.

There is also a great play between the lobby artworks, where Margaret Boozer’s work is stone on glass, and Erwin's incorporates glass on stone. Erwin commented that his glass sculpture also references modern technology and communication - the final design is actually based on the word “ART” in barcode language.

Erwin Timmers sculpture left, Margaret Boozer's sculpture beyond.

Click HERE to see more of Erwin Timmers' environmental based artwork.

Call for Craft Artists

CALL FOR CRAFT ARTISTS TO SUBMIT FOR WASHINGTON CRAFT SHOW, NOVEMBER 19 – 21, 2010
Crafts America Shows announces a call to artists for the 23rd Annual Washington Craft Show, a juried show open to all American craft artists to be held November 19, 20, and 21, 2010, at the Washington Convention Center, in Washington, D.C.

Artists must apply online by April 1, 2010 at www.craftsamericashows.com.

The cost is $40 to enter up to five images representative of the artists’ work. The artists selected by jury will be notified by June 1, 2010. Cash awards are given for Best in Show, Collectors’ Award, and categories. This prestigious show of contemporary craft in America will feature 190 artists jury selected by professionals in the field of fine craft. Jurors' selections are based on the level of technical skill, quality of workmanship, and originality of design. Accepted work represents a broad spectrum of media, technique, and creative design. The following categories of contemporary fine craft art are eligible: furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, paper, wood, basketry, ceramics, wearable fiber, and decorative fiber. All craft work must be well conceived and expertly executed. Each piece must be made by hand or with the use of appropriate tools. Whether one-of-a-kind or limited production, work should reflect the creativity and individuality of the artist.

In addition to the works by artists for sale, the Washington Craft Show will present demonstrations by artists, a fashion show and discussions with prominent speakers regarding the state of the craft industry today.

Director, Washington Craft Show: Betsy Kubie, 203-254-0484
General Information and Applications: www.craftsamericashows.com.

Boot Camp for Artists - Free Artist Development Seminar

Noted art critic, art dealer and tireless promoter of the arts - F Lennox (Lenny) Campello hosts a free seminar on how an artist can move to the next level that is sponsored by the Gateway Arts Center this coming April 10, from 1 - 5 pm. Called Boot Camp for Artists – it addresses topics on maximizing the attention your work gets from the press, galleries, and museum curators. The program is free, but space is limited.

For more info on the seminar, contact John Paradiso at the Gateway CDC (John@Gateway-cdc.org – 301-864-3860 x3).

The talk is followed by a closing reception for the exhibition of "Artists of the Gateway Arts District" - the inaugural art show for the beautiful new gallery that is part of the Gateway Arts Center.

The reception will be from 5:00 – 8:00pm, Saturday, April 10, 2010.

Gateway Arts Center

3901 Rhode Island Ave.

Brentwood, MD 20722

Bullseye Roll-Up Class

How can you go from this

to this?

The Washington Glass School has the answer: The Bullseye Roll-up class!

The students work at fusing a glass panel, working with color and depth. Click on the arrow to start the video

The second part of the class is held at DC GlassWorks hot shop, just down the road, where the glass gets really hot (over 2000 degrees F) and is rolled up and blown - helped by glass artists Michael Showalter and David D'Orio.

BE glass panels made by the students.

This class is a great way to take your glass panels to the next level - with dimension. There is another roll up class in the new class schedule - Class #1019

Music on the video is by the Washington Glass School's Kirk Waldroff's Omega Band.

Generations in Glass Show @ Glenview Mansion

Generations In Glass at Glenview Mansion, Rockville Maryland

The City of Rockville will host the National Capital Art Glass Guild (NCAGG) show, Generations in Glass, Sunday, March 28, through Tuesday, April 27, at Glenview Mansion Art Gallery at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive.

"We're very excited about this show. It will showcase the tremendous diversity, creativity and growth in glass art in the greater DC area and honor artists key in the development of this exciting glass community," said Sherry Selevan and Pat Arnold, co-chairs of the show.

Generations in Glass includes almost 70 artists and over 130 individual works of art. The largest part of the exhibition is a juried show by the membership, featuring diverse forms of glass art, including kiln-worked, stained, flame-worked and blown glass. A selection of these will have information available on the creation and design of these pieces in a segment entitled: From Idea to Art.

A highlight of the show is the Inspirational Invitational which showcases the work of pioneers of the vibrant glass art community in the greater DC area. For this part of the show, members of the guild have nominated artists who have inspired their work.

The Glenview Mansion Art Gallery is open to the public Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m-4:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The gallery is closed on official City holidays.

For more information on Generations in Glass, or the Glenview Mansion Art Gallery contact Julie Farrell, arts program specialist, at 240-314-8682 or jfarrell@rockvillemd.gov or visit www.rockvillemd.gov/arts.

The NCAGG homepage will also provide information and updates: www.NCAGG.org/show.htm

Generations In Glass

Opening reception:

Sunday, March 28, at 1:30 p.m.

FREE and open to the public.

* Here are some links to images of work in the show
Click HERE to jump to opening reception photos & photos of art in show.
Click HERE to jump to artwork selected in the Juried Show.
Click HERE to jump to work in the Inspirational Invitational part of the show.

Online Art Auction for Nicole Puzan

The Glass School's Nicole Puzan is very sick, and her family has created "Art On A Wire", a virtual art auction to raise money for Nicole’s medical and living expenses.
26 year old Nicole is a life-long Northern Virginia resident, a graduate of Richmond's VCU School of the Arts, and is an uninsured glass artist who was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 ovarian cancer.
The auction will be held through eBay, and is scheduled to begin on March 13th, Nicole's 27th birthday, and will run approximately 10 days. The auction will include art of all kinds: sculpture, painting, drawing, glass, photography, ceramics/pottery, music, video/film, textiles, mixed media, and anything in between. Please donate to this effort to help Nicole fight and win the battle with ovarian cancer! A number of glass artists and friends of the Glass School are participating in the auction - here is your chance to get one of their works and help someone out!

Click HERE to jump to the eBay link. It is starting today, & items are being added in an ongoing basis - so check back often!
You can also follow along on a blog that has been setup with other ways to donate or updates on Nicole -
Click HERE to jump to fiercegrrl fund blog.

Nicole needs help in other ways besides monetary - on Tuesday, March 2nd she started chemotherapy. Chemo eliminates cancer cells. However, chemo can also attack healthy red blood cells (RBCs) and negatively impact the body's ability to make red blood cells. One way to counteract the negative effects of anemia is through blood transfusions and donors are being called into action right now to donate locally in Nicole's name.
Nicole is blood type A+.
Click HERE to jump to information on how to donate blood.

Preview of New Class Schedule for Spring & Summer

The long anticipated Spring & Summer Class Schedule is just about finished - here is a sneak peak at the class list. There are some exciting seminars planned - have a look!
Some classes are not listed below - the photo sessions, welding, Bullseye Glass rollup and more, but they will all be online soon!
Click HERE to jump to the website listing.
Spring & Summer Glass School Classes
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 several professional glass artists you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping and 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! Offered twice this semester.

Instructors Tim Tate / Michael Janis
Dates Offered 4 times this semester:
Section 1001C : Sat/Sun Mar. 27 and 28
Section 1014A : Sat/Sun May 22 and 23
Section 1014B: Sat/Sun June 26 and 27
Section 1014C: Sat/Sun Aug 7 and 8
Time 1pm to 5pm each day
Tuition $300 per student (all materials included)

Special Seminar Offering :
Social Networking and Marketing Your Art

This special seminar will be held during CraftWeek DC and in cooperation with the James Renwick Alliance's spring Craft Weekend. Come explore with us the possibilities for advancing your artwork using today's popular social networks. Get shows, sell your work, approach galleries, blogs, newspapers......so many forms for the new face of art to investigate.

Instructors: Rania Hassan / Tim Tate / Lenny Campello
Date: Sat. April, 24
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Tuition : $20... Email RSVP to: washglassschool@aol.com

Special Free Demonstration :
Matt Szosz - Inflating Fused Glass

This fascinating and unusual FREE demo will be held during CraftWeek DC and in cooperation with the James Renwick Alliance's spring Craft Weekend. Come join us while Matt Szosz shows us an amazing kiln formed experience. Great for Bullseye or Float Glass. A wondrous technique to add to your personal arsenal.....or just really fun to watch as well!

Instructor: Matt Szosz
Date : Sat. April 24th
Time: 11am till 1 pm
Tuition : FREE

Lighting Solutions For Your Home

This class will bring some serious color to your life, and brighten up your living space. This is yet another installment in the popular lighting series, and will focus on ceiling lamps. You will design your own glass, create your own shape, and have your choice of several different hanging or mounting options. For considerably less than the price of a designer fixture, you can put your own name on one. Tuition will include mold materials, glass, and mounting hardware. Some glass experience is useful, but not necessary and electrical experience will be provided.

Instructor: Erwin Timmers
Dates: Wednesday evenings in May/June (19, 26, 2)
Time: 7 to 9:30 pm
Tuition: $350

Beginning Sculptural Flameworking

Learn the basics of making objects in the flame from borosilicate (Pyrex) glass. This 2-day class will focus on skills that are the basis of working with glass on the torch. You will come away with knowledge and some fine objects too! Rob is an energetic, knowledgeable instructor and artist who is ready and willing to help anyone learn this fascinating art form. The materials fee provides student with initial pack of glass, fuel for the torches and the loan of a full set of hand tools. Additional glass and supplies are available for purchase as the class progresses. Take this class more than once to reinforce your skills!

Instructor : Robert Kincheloe
Dates: Offered 3 times this semester :
Session A : Saturdays in May (29) and June ((5)
Session B : Saturdays in June 12/19
Session C : Saturdays in July 10/17
Time: 10am to 5pm (pack a lunch)
Tuition : $200 (plus a material fee of $50 due the first day of class)

The Next Step in Sculptural Flameworking - Working Hollow

This is a student driven class that will promote techniques not displayed in the beginning class.

In this 2-day class, students will learn to work with tubing to create glass sculptures. (materials cost of $50 payable at first class meeting)
Instructor : Robert Kincheloe
Date: Saturdays in August (14/21
Time: 10am to 5pm (pack a lunch)
Tuition : $200 (plus materials cost of $50 payable at first class meeting)

Bowls, Bowls, Bowls

One of our more popular classes - everybody appreciates a well made bowl! Work with different types of glass (Bullseye, float, dichroic) and learn some cool techniques for fusing and slumping. This is a great class for beginners to learn and for those with more advanced skills to expand on their glass vocabulary. This is the class where art and function live happily ever after!

Instructor : Michael Janis
Dates: Tuesday eves in May (18, 25) and June (1)
Time: 6:30pm to 9pm
Tuition: $325

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, fusing image transfer and more!
Class Limit: 6 students

Instructor : Michael Janis
Date : Saturday, June 5th
Time: 1:30 to 5pm
Tuition: $200

Basics Of Lost Wax Casting

In this class we will make a sculptural vessel form in the "lost wax" method. Students will begin with a pre-made wax form that they learn to carve and alter. Students are asked to research surface design ideas prior to starting, bringing sketches, magazine clippings, xerox's, etc. No experience is necessary (wear clothing that can get messy and closed toed shoes).
Instructor: Debra Ruzinsky
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays in June. (19,20,27)
Time: 9:30am to 1:30 pm (bring a lunch!)
Tuition: $350

Class - 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