Hot Times At Glass School

The thermometer might be reading in the triple digits (upper 30's for the C° crowd ), and there may be powerful storms that have knocked out power for many in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland & Virginia) but there are those that come to the glass school to chill. 
Here are some shots taken on a hot weekend:

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Associate Professor Susan O'Brien has come to the glass school to work in glass, as a change from ceramics. Susan here talks about her composition with artist Michael Janis.

Susan explores integrating decorative patterns into her fused glass

Artist John Henderson removes his castings from the kiln.

John is preparing artwork for a new mixed media series he is developing.

John's new "Shield" series incorporates cast glass African imagery with metal and fused glass elements. And working with a water-cooled chop saw helps cool him down. 

Nancy Donnelly works with glass frits to create a lovely floral backdrop.

Stay Cool Peeps! 

Glass BLAST! in London

Cate Watkinson

BLAST! 2012

COHESION GLASS NETWORK'S 10th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION

July 6 – August 8, 2012

Joanne Mitchell

London, England's ZeST Contemporary Glass Gallery is hosting BLAST! 2012, the 10th anniversary exhibition of Cohesion Glass Network. Cohesion Glass Network is an initiative supported by the UK's Sunderland City Council as a way to create a business network for glassmakers and artists. 

Tim Tate

To celebrate this landmark, ZeST Gallery has invited eight of Cohesion’s founding members to exhibit their latest artworks and provided the opportunity to select an artist to be a “partner” and show work alongside them.

Roger Tye

These eight artists are Criss Chaney, Dominic Fonde, Zoe Garner, Ruth Lyne, Joanne Mitchell, Claudia Phipps, Roger Tye and Cate Watkinson.  They have selected partners whose work they admire, or find complementary to their own, or in some cases they have joined forces to create unique collaborative work, exploring and developing themes and concepts held in common. Some, but not all, of the partner artists are Cohesion members, and all but one of the partners are artists working in glass.

Michael Janis

Cohesion artist Joanne Mitchell chose Washington Glass Studio artist Tim Tate. Cohesion’s Roger Tye is paired with WGS’ Michael Janis. Michael and Tim were both at Cohesion's studios while in the UK on their Fulbright assignment.

The exhibition features a diverse selection of glass art, including wall-mounted and installation artwork, as well as vessels and sculpture, and embodies a broad spectrum of processes and techniques. The pairings within the show create an exciting dynamic of glass, artistic and otherworldly narratives.

Carrie Fertig

Artist pairings include:
Criss Chaney with Robyn Townsend

Dominic Fonde with Chua Teng Yeow

Zoe Garner with Carrie Fertig

Ruth Lyne with Rachel O'Dell

Joanne Mitchell with Tim Tate

Claudia Phipps with June Kingsbury

Roger Tye with Michael Janis

Cate Watkinson with Emma Hollins

Blast! 2012

July 6 – August 8, 2012

Zest Contemporary Glass Gallery

Roxby Place (end of Rickett Street)

London SW6 1RS

In The Studio, Casting Some Flowers

Gaffer Glass Crystal casting billets being set out for  kiln firing into lost wax molds.

It is great to see Robert Kincheloe working from the Washington Glass Studio, making some lost wax components. Here are some photos of Rob at work, creating many little flowers in the lost wax process.

Rob makes new elements by pouring melted wax into the silicone rubber  forms and letting the was set.

After the wax sets up, Rob pours a plaster/silica mix around and after the plaster hardens, he melts out the wax. The forms are then cleaned and glass is placed into the reservoir and are shown here inside the kiln, awaiting their fate once the kiln heats up.

Rob recounts his adventures & triumphs at Artomatic.

Art, Work, Love and Other Basics

Art, Work, Love and Other Basics. A panel presented by The James Renwick Alliance 

Date & Time:

Tonite Friday, June 22, 2012 - 8:00pm - 10:00pm

Location:

Renwick Alliance Room – 11^th Floor Artomatic

Art, Work, Love and Other Basics will be presented by the James Renwick Alliance on June 22 at 8 PM at the JRA Education Room, 11th floor.

The moderator of the panel will be the sculptor and educator Rick Wall, and the panelists will be Brad Taylor, Donna McCullough, Julia Bloom, Matt MacIntire, and Michael Janis, recognized by the JRA for their outstanding work.
 The artists will be discussing their creative processes, the body of their work, their interests, and their inspiration. FREE and Open to the Public. 

The Art Fair is almost over - if you have not yet made it over to see the exhibits - here's another invitation!

Artomatic 

1851 S. Bell Street

Crystal City, Virginia

Yellow Line Metro Stop: Crystal City

New Technologies In Glass

Vanessa Cutler's new book: New Technologies in Glass is a vital text for any glass artist wishing to expand their toolkit and challenge the possibilities of the medium

The world of the glass artist is changing. Emerging technology for the cutting, engraving, and printing of glass is opening doors for those who want to work more quickly, more accurately, at larger scales and in multiples, and is stretching the boundaries of innovation.

The Washington Glass School was first introduced to Vanessa Cutler's waterjet glass artwork in the groundbreaking "Glass 3" exhibit held in Georgetown in 2008 with artists from the UK, Washington, DC and Toledo, OH. The art critic of DCist wrote of her work "Some of the artists are actually experts in glass theory with Ph.Ds and have developed techniques that not only create beautiful art, but have revolutionized architecture and other uses for the medium. Vanessa Cutler is one of those artists. She uses waterjet technology to create pitch-perfect cuts and holes in glass."

Dr Vanessa Cutler is a Research Co-ordinator at the Welsh School of Architectural Glass, Swansea Metropolitan University, as well as a lecturer, craftsman, designer, consultant, recognised glass artist and authority on waterjet cutting of glass, and she has presented papers in Europe, UK and America on creative applications of using such technology for the creative and industrial sector. 

Spinal Wave - Waterjet cut & kiln-formed float glass 

Detail - Spinal Wave

Dr Cutler's new book  "New Technologies in Glass" is now out . Using straightforward language, she introduces the digital tools that are becoming an essential part of an artist's toolkit, and describes the application of new technologies, from cutting and engraving machinery to rapid prototyping.

Dr Cutler loves glass. Here she smooches with her work exhibited at Chicago SOFA's  BIGG (Breakthru  Ideas in Global Glass), 2009.

Vanessa trained in Architectural Stained Glass at the UK’s Swansea Institute and completed a Masters at University of Wolverhampton, before setting set up a studio undertaking a variety of commissions ranging from church restoration to contemporary interiors. In 2000 she moved to Sunderland, England to undertake research looking at creative uses of waterjet cutting. Vanessa was until recently an architectural glass artist living and working in, the North East employed as a Research Fellow at the University of Sunderland, completing her PhD in 2006. She now lectures at Swansea School of Architectural Glass, Swansea Metropolitan University, Swansea Wales.

Click HERE to jump to the publisher info about the book.

Washington Glass School/Studio is Seeking a Studio Coordinator and Production Manager.

The Washington Glass School and Studio is one of the largest and most successful warm glass and sculpture centers in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 10 years time we have seen over 4000 students and sent many on to rewarding careers. Our focus is on sculpture, both as individual studio artists, and large-scale public art commissions.

This is a very integral position within our community. You will be responsible for coordinating equipment usage in the studio, be responsible for organizing and keeping the studio clean, assisting the principle artists, packing and shipping artwork, overseeing some large scale projects and (eventually) teaching some classes. Experience in glass is helpful, but not necessary, as we will train. 

There will be heavy lifting; plaster mixing and mold making, and mold steaming as well. Some exhibition and project installations will require assistance. The schedule is flexible; the studio is typically open from 10am to 6pm M-F, but your hours are based on workload. We are open to unusual scheduling. There are also some evening and weekend classes.

While this is a demanding job, it also can be an extremely educational and rewarding one. Besides being part of a vibrant and successful studio, you will have your own workspace and will be encouraged to make your own artwork and to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that pass through our doors. The pay is $10 per hour to start with a salary evaluation after 90 days. 

You will receive additional pay for every class you teach. We are particularly interested in a person who would truly benefit from this position, both personally and artistically. Many opportunities come through our studio...we encourage you to take advantage of them. Our school is based on the premise that everyone here will be happy for everyone else's success, thereby fostering a nuturing and non-internally competitive work place. We are looking for just the right person for the long term.

 

Care to join us?

Call Tim Tate/ Washington Glass School

202-744-8222

3700 Otis Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712

timtateglass@aol.com

Located about 4 miles from Logan Circle, across the DC border of Eastern Ave. Click HERE to jump to map.

Magically Suspicious Opens @ School 33 Art Center

Robert Kincheloe's interactive sculpture "Aether - The Magical Element" has motion sensors that activate various components integrated into the different pieces. 

Our imaginations question what we see with our eyes, and in turn, our eyes question what we think we perceive. We want to be deceived. We time travel through life, drifting in a vast sea of information and distractions, searching for the spectacular, the mysterious, and the hidden. 


Baltimore's School 33 Art Center presents “Magically Suspicious,” a group exhibition curated by Adam Lister on Friday, June 8 through Saturday, August 18, 2012, designed to confound and amaze.

Detail of "Wind" - the sensors start up fans within the piece and blow out at the viewer.

The exhibit features artwork, such as drawings, paintings, photography, installation and sculptures that draws connections between process-based art, abstraction, and the desire to explore the curious and the unknown. Robert Kincheloe's newest interactive mixed media sculpture is a standout. His torchworked glass interactive sculptures invite investigation. 

Exhibiting artists include John M. Adams, Amy Boone Mccreesh, Remmi Brant, Mei Mei Chang, Bobby Coleman, Bonnie Crawford Kotula, Jamin, Robert Kincheloe, Adam Lister, Greg Minah, Marilyn Minter, Stephanie Rivers, Phillip Scarpone and Willie Wayne Smith. 

Detail of Robert Kincheloe's "Fire" plasma charged torchworked glass sculpture - put your  hand to the glass and watch the charge move towards your fingertips.

Magically Suspicious
Opening reception  Saturday, July 7, 2012 from 3pm to 6pm. 
School 33 Art Center, a facility managed by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, 
1427 Light Street, Baltimore, MD.
Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm.

Blue Spiral 1 Gallery in Asheville, NC features Glass Secessionists

Robert Bender's cast glass sculptures.

A number of venues around the country are hosting exhibitions this year in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement (including one at the Asheville Art Museum). The current exhibition at Asheville, NC’s Blue Spiral 1 gallery is a little different however…  
Stepping outside the gallery’s standard focus on southern artists, this national invitational centers on Glass Secessionism - on view through July 28, 2012.      

Works by Sean Hennessey and Christina Bothwell.

Often incorporating other media, work by Glass Secessionists is predominantly narrative or conceptual. Noted in the group’s description, “The intent of the (Glass Secessionism) group is to underscore and define the twenty-first century Sculptural Glass Movement and to illustrate the differences and strengths compared to late twentieth century technique-driven glass. While the twentieth century glass artists’ contributions have been spectacular and groundbreaking, this group focuses on the aesthetic of the twenty-first century.”    

Tim Tate's treats in glass.

Thor & Jennifer Bueno and Christina Bothwell 's artwork make striking juxtapositions.

Marc Petrovic's amazing sculptures.

Artists have done fantastic and innovative things with glass over the past 50 years, while its potential as a sculptural medium continues to grow as we see object  makers crossing over from their primary discipline and articulating ideas through a variety of media. Bringing background and technical knowledge of particular materials, artists approach new mediums with fresh perspective, often discovering exciting ways to handle or combine media. Glass is no stranger to this phenomenon. For example, Tim Tate incorporates video elements in some of his works. Most of Christina Bothwell’s sculptures marry glass with ceramics…along with a host of other materials. Susan Taylor Glasgow assembles iconic images of domesticity through sewing together glass elements. These artists represent a number of makers who are redefining the field.  

The bold sculptures by Marc Peiser provide a counterpoint to Susan Taylor Glasgow's domestic icons in glass. 

Michael Janis' drawings in glass.

Artwork by Michael Janis, Ken Carder and Christina Bothwell in the front window of the gallery.

The story may be poignant or provocative; the imagery haunting or humorous, but whether they lean toward edgy or whimsical, a growing number of glass artists have something compelling to say. Many share the sentiment that the medium offers more than dazzling effects, desiring objects that transcend materiality and stir something within us.     

Glass Secessionism includes work by Rick Beck, Robert Bender, Christina Bothwell, Thor & Jennifer Bueno, Ken Carder, Susan Taylor Glasgow, Sean Hennessey, Michael Janis, Mark Peiser, Marc Petrovic, Sally Rogers, and Tim Tate. The exhibition opened June 7 and will continue through July 27 in the Showcase Gallery on Blue Spiral 1’s main level and extends through the month of August upstairs.

Works by Christina Bothwell, Rick Beck, Sally Rogers and Robert Bender.

Recruiting for PhD in Glass and Ceramics

Prof Petrie outlines the benefits of advanced degrees in the arts offered by the University of Sunderland.

Kevin Petrie, Leader of the UK University of Sunderland's Glass & Ceramics program is in the US this week for the Toledo GAS Conference, popped into the Glass School for a quick visit. Kevin met with Washington Glass School instructors and artists, talking about the UK's "Distance Education program".  Kevin's mission from the University is to get more PhD glass artists out there, and he will be talking at the Conference's Tech Booth #17.

Erwin Timmers talks of sustainable design in glass to Prof Petrie.

Erwin talks of his process to create his colorful forms.

"Elements of 21st Century Reliquaries" Sculpture Class

A reliquary is a receptacle for keeping and displaying sacred objects (relics). In Victorian times, bell jars (cylindrical glass vessels with a rounded top and an open base) were used to protect and display fragile objects.

The artwork reliquaries of ceramic sculptor Novie Trump and mixed media sculptor Tim Tate are filled with meaning, symbolism, and are powerfully evocative. Both artists work seem inspired by an almost obsessive sense of remembrance.

One might ask: How do they make such introspective & complex works - and more importantly, how are their processes applicable for other artists looking to reference our need to create spaces for the things we hold dear?

The two DC area superstar sculptors have teamed up to teach a special sculpture class - Elements of 21st Century Reliquaries.

Novie draws on her archeology training as she creates ceramic houses, books, birds, boats and reliquaries, many that look as though they might have been unearthed on an archeological dig. She explores ideas of nest/hive/home over and over in the work. 

“…I often use archetypal symbols taken from ancient myths and tales. These iconic images take many forms: the bird as harbinger and messenger, bones as touchstones of quiet power, the forest as a threshold to the unknown. These symbols are used to express such universal human experiences as love, loss, fear, death, courage and transformation.” Novie Trump

Mixed media/video artist Tim Tate uses blown glass jars to capture universal emotions and experiences with haunting video reliquaries that push the boundaries between fine art and fine craft. Tim’s sculptures ask you to surrender your guarded self and feel the range of emotions that they provoke.

"Revelation — and in some cases self-revelation, is the underlying theme of my electronic reliquaries. But the important revelations here are in the viewer’s response to my hybrid art form and its conceptual nature.  I try to bare everything — the guts of my materials and my inner thoughts — in deceptively simple narrative videos set into specimen jars. These works are phylacteries of sorts, the transparent reliquaries in which bits of saints’ bones or hair — relics — are displayed. In many cultures and religions, relics are believed to have magical or spiritual powers, especially for healing. My relics are temporal, sounds and moving images formally enshrined, encapsulating experiences like cultural specimens. And perhaps, to the contemporary soul, they are no less reliquaries than those containing the bones of a saint." Tim Tate

Class 1304 - Elements of 21st Century Reliquaries

Reliquaries with internal healing objects have been important cultural objects for centuries. They have been made with a wide variety of materials. But what makes a reliquary in the 21st century? What elements can go inside? Which materials seem most appropriate in modern times? In this class we will utilize clay and glass to explore current concepts in reliquary forms. This class will be split between a clay and kiln cast glass studio, allowing each participant the use of both materials and many techniques. There will be a wine and cheese reception at the end of this workshop to allow friends to see the work in a professional setting.

Instructor	Tim Tate, Novie Trump
Dates	Sat/Suns in July/Aug (July 14,15,21,22,28,Aug 4,11)
Time	1pm to 5pm
	$600

Interested? Click HERE to jump to the Washington Glass School online schedule.


Novie Trump is a sculptor whose work is in public and private collections throughout the United States and Europe. Her ceramic sculpture has been selected for juried and invitational exhibitions and has been featured in books and publications. She is the founder and director of Flux Studios, a studio in Mount Rainier, MD 



Tim Tate is a Washington, DC native, and has been working with glass as a sculptural medium for the past 25 years. Co-Founder of the Washington Glass School, Tim’s work is in the permanent collections of a number of museums, including the Smithsonian's American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery and the Mint Museum. He was the recipient of the 2009 Virginia Groot Foundation award for sculpture. He is a 2012 Fulbright Scholar recipient and was Artist-In-Residence at the Institute for International Glass Research (IIRG) in the UK.

PhD In Glass at University of Sunderland

Kevin Petrie, professor of Glass and Ceramics at the UK's University of Sunderland will be coming to the Glass Art Society's (GAS) Conference at Toledo to talk with people interested in studies in glass at the University. 

The University of Sunderland has the largest glass and ceramics department in Europe. It is also one of world’s best equipped studios for creative glassmaking. Specialist areas include: glass and print, waterjet cutting, and hot, kiln and architectural glass. (this past year, I was at Sunderland for my Fulbright Scholarship, and found everything about place to be incredible).

The University of Sunderland Glass Facility

The University of Sunderland is based in the National Glass Centre, the center of excellence for glass in the UK, supporting the production and exhibition of contemporary glass within a research-rich learning environment. The Institute for International Research in Glass (IIRG) promotes and facilitates this research, developing the latest working methods and informing teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. (The idea of a doctorate in glass is soo appealing to me!)

From the Sunderland student brochure:

Students will be taught by international award-winning staff, who are all recognized professional artists, designers, curators and writers. You will also be offered real-world opportunities, including the chance to show your work in public exhibitions, undertake internships, work on live commissions, and enter competitions – all of which will help you to build your career.

We are a supportive creative community and encourage our students to become nationally, and internationally, networked during their time on the course. Our students have been selected for distinguished exhibitions such as the British Glass Biennale, Bombay Sapphire Glass Prize and the European Glass Context. Many of our graduates become independent artists with their own studios. Others are successful educators. A substantial number of our students are professionals who undertake doctorates to reflect on their work, advance creative practice and contribute to knowledge in the field of glass art.

Interested in more info about studying glass in an incredible facility? Professor Petrie will be available for advisory interviews at GAS, Tech Display Booth #17