AACG Starts Year Off Right: Features Michael Janis

visit their site: www.contempglass.org/

The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG) names Michael Janis as its "Artist-of-the-Month". 

The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to further the development and appreciation of art made from glass.

Who knew the flavor of the month would be vanilla?

AACG members are primarily collectors of contemporary glass, mostly from North America but also from Europe, Australia and New Zealand, among other international locales. AACG members also include art galleries, artists, schools and museums. Membership is open to anyone interested in contemporary glass. AACG awards grants annually to arts organizations in support of specific educational purposes.

AACG co-sponsors the biennial event, GlassWeekend, with the Creative Glass Center of America at Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center—a weekend of glass where artists, collectors and galleries are present for a program that includes hot shop demonstrations, exhibitions, lectures, and social events. Proceeds of the event support the fellowship program of the Creative Glass Center of America and the educational programs of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass. Glass Weekend 2013 will be at the Wheaton Arts Center in Millville, NJ, from June 7 -9, 2013.

AACG Tours Washington Glass School

The Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG) held its annual tour weekend in Washington, DC. The AACG is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to further the development and appreciation of art made from glass. The Alliance informs the public, including collectors, critics and curators, by encouraging and supporting museum and art center glass exhibitions and public programs and regional collector groups.

The glass lover group hit the ground running early with visits to area collectors homes; a VIP tour of the Renwick Gallery; a VIP tour of the Kreeger Museum; a special progressive dinner at the Gateway Arts District 'On the Tracks' complex featuring the Washington Glass School and Flux Studios.

The Glass School and Flux Studios hosted a huge barbeque for the crowd - where the making of the food was part of the entertainment.

This ain't no Weber 'Smokey Joe' - this is hardcore.

The approx 50-60 strong group of collectors are welcomed to Washington Glass School.

Erwin Timmers' new works were a favorite of the group.

The tour continued with a brunch at Maurine Littleton Gallery in Georgetown on Sunday.

GlassWeekend 2011

Tim Tate's video reliquaries on exhibit.

The international biennial glass symposium – GlassWeekend - was just held at Wheaton Arts in Millville, New Jersey - home of the Creative Glass Center of America and the Museum of American Glass.

The biennial event brings together artists, collectors, galleries and museum curators for a three-day weekend of exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations and social events.

Seven artists were chosen as “RISING STARS”, featured at GlassWeekend. The title of “Rising Star” indicates that these are the artists that the glass organizations believe to be the future of the medium.

Our Michael Janis was selected as a “Rising Star” by the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass and the Creative Glass Center of America.

"Rising Star" artist Michael Janis at Maurine Littleton Gallery space. Photo: Linda Greene - AACG

Maurine Littleton Gallery space at GlassWeekend.

Allegra Marquart, Kari Russell-Pool & Paul Stankard take a break in the woods.

Allegra Marquart's work at Maurine Littleton Gallery.

The exhibition is a great snapshot on the direction the studio art glass movement is heading. The movement will hit the 50 years mark next year, and it is interesting to note that of the 16 "Rising Stars" named in the past two biennials, only 2 of them are traditional glass blowers, 1 is a ladle caster and the rest are warm glass artists. Does this mean that the glass world is finally giving kilnforming its props? One hopes!

Sibylle Peretti's work at Heller Gallery.

Mielle Riggie's (another Rising Star) kilncast dresses at Morgan Contemporary Glass

"Rising Star" artists discuss the medium during a panel discussion. L-R Michael Janis, Julius Weiland & Sungsoo Kim. Photo: Linda Greene - AACG

Kari Russell-Pool discussing her torchwork artwork in Duane Reed Gallery's space.

Click HERE to jump to some more photos of the artwork on exhibit at GlassWeekend 2011.

The Atlantic City press has a nice mention of the events - click HERE to jump to the article.