Michael Janis- Material World from Stephen Boocks on Vimeo.
The finished piece that was discussed is here: 
Michael Janis The Memory of Orchids 2011, fused glass, steel, 12.5" x 12.5"
Marie Ringwald- Material World from Stephen Boocks on Vimeo.
This Saturday, 19 March, 2011, from 2-3 pm you can see the real LIVE artists as they talk about their process and work.
Material World
artdc Gallery at The Lustine Center
5710 Baltimore Avenue
Hyattsville, Maryland 20781
In the past thirty years, Jackie Greeves has evolved from being a nationally recognized studio potter, an enamelist whose work was exhibited both nationally and internationally, and an award winning glass artist. What has remained consistent has been the artist reaching for the emotional presentation of themes from her early training in Japan.
Quand Je Pense
Glass, .999 silver foil, .999 silver wire, copper wire, copper electroformed
perimeter
14 1/2" x 14" x 1/2"
In the 1960’s, she received a degree in Biology and Chemistry and worked as a bacteriologist for the Food and Drug Administration. In the early ‘70’s she spent three years studying ceramics in Tokyo, Japan with master Yamagami Norikazu. During her time as a ceramicist, she was a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant for her work in clay and was a frequent exhibitor in both the Philadelphia Craft Show and the Smithsonian Craft Show.
During the 1980’s, Jackie also served as advisor for the Mayor’s Committee on Art and Culture in Baltimore, Maryland; as exhibit director of the Tomlinson Craft Collection in Baltimore; and as assistant to the Dean, Maryland College of Art and Design in Silver Spring, Maryland.
In the 1990’s, Jackie began metalsmithing and enameling at Montgomery College, where she is presently an adjunct professor in the art department.
From the 2000’s until present, Jackie has pursued the use of glass in combination with enamel and its techniques, is presently working in metal and glass creating small sculptures evoking a sense of depth and emotion. Jackie has taught courses on copper electroforming at the Washington Glass School over the years
Jackie will be one of the artists exhibiting at DC's Longview Gallery juried invitational exhibition showcasing the people and work of the artists of the Washington Glass School.
1234 9th Street, NW, Washington, DC
May 19 - June 19, Opening Reception, May 19th, 6:30-8:30 PM
Material World opened this weekend at artdc Gallery. The show focuses on artists and how they balance the use of materials and content.
This Saturday from 2-3 pm there will be a gallery talk featuring three artists: Sherill Anne Gross, Marie Ringwald and Michael Janis.
Material World
artdc Gallery
5710 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD
Open thru April 3, 2011Artists exhibiting include: Michael Janis, Marie Ringwald, Matthew Langely, JT Kirkland, Katherine Mann and Sherill Anne Gross. A second artist talk featuring Matt Langley will be held Saturday, April 2.
Curator Stephen Boocks writes in the catalog of the show: "Marie Ringwald refers to herself as a minimalist but most viewers would not readily characterize her work that way.There are clear associations to architectural structures, primarily warehouses and barns...For Ringwald, developing in the 60s and 70s, minimalist abstraction seemed the most natural way of making art. After years of working in this manner she realized she was incorporating these architectural elements into her abstract works began asking, “Why not bring them out into the open? Why not incorporate the actual materials used in the construction of these structures?”
In the exhibition catalog "Material World - Art Supplies in the Twentyfirst Century" curator Boocks writes: "When most people think of glass art, they typically think of blown glass (or hot glass) vessels like those of Dale Chihuly... Michael Janis works in the warm glass method that fuses glass elements together into one piece by layering multiple glass sheets together. The virtuosity of Janis’ technique supports his imagery, which is often tinged with a nostalgia for days where innocence reigned and magic seemed possible. Janis is not simply naïve, for there is a darker undercurrent to these works that speaks to the loss of this sense of wonder."
"To say Sherill Anne Gross is obsessed with paper is an understatement. When the local Pearl art supply store went out of business, Gross purchased all of her favorite papers and many others to build quite a stock of materials... She is not only obsessive about her materials but also about her technique"...writes Boocks.
Here is a video of talented paper artist Sherill Gross as she cuts out her signature:
Posted by
Chip Montague
Layout sketch of a typical architectural bay.
Matt Duffy & Erwin Timmers check the clarity of the glass (mind you, it must not be too much and not be too little - it needs to be just right.)
Erwin check the glass for evenness of form and to make sure the panels will lay flat within the steel framework.
We will post other photos of the process soon!
UPDATE: Click HERE to jump to photos of finished project.
Ethan Stern - Saber T
Preston Singletary
Demetra Theofanous
In 2010, the Fuller Craft Museum mounted and exhibition about how new technologies - digital video, computerized design - were being blended with traditional craft materials to forge new artistic visions, titled The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft Curated by Fo Wilson, the show featured works by WGS' Tim Tate. The exhibition has traveled to the Milwaukee Art Museum - opening March 10 - June 12, 2011. 
El Ultimo Grito’s ‘Apartments’ is an imaginary architectural form created from repurposed scientific glass products. On first viewing, the pieces seem to be lifted from the laboratory but on closer inspection their function has been re-appropriated; they are models of futuristic glass apartments.
Joanna Manousis’ ‘Reaching an Ulterior Realm’ that presents us with what looks like helium mounted targets fired at by arrows (with varying degrees of success). The targets are not as fluid and the arrows not as light as we imagine however, as it becomes apparent they are made of solidified blown glass
Alongside the glass work is a newly commissioned film "Sing in Sand and Roar in Furnace Fire" to show how glassblowing is a controlled, balletic, and choreographed practice. The duet explains through interpretive dance the elements of trust, cooperation and synchronicity and how that is necessary for the production of glass art.
Urban Glass’s Glass Quarterly blog features more info on the show – click HERE.
For the “Breath-Taking” gallery guide pdf – click HERE.
Material World, an exhibition at artdc Gallery (March 12 to Sunday, April 3, 2011) focuses on artists who use non-traditional materials or tradition materials in non-standard ways to produce their work. “The commitment these artists have for their materials and craft lets their processes inform the content of the work, not overwhelm it,” notes curator Stephen Boocks. “While viewers will inevitably wonder how the works were made and will marvel at the technical prowess, the pieces selected ultimately transcend the materials used, allowing each finished object to stand on its own.”
Featuring works by Sherill Anne Gross, Michael Janis, J. T. Kirkland, Matthew Langley, Katherine Mann, and Marie Ringwald, Material World features exceptional work diverse in style and "serves as a testament to the rich pool of talented artists from or with close ties to the DC area,” adds Boocks. “These six artists at varying stages of their careers all have a clear vision of what they’re trying to achieve with their preferred media. ”
The core of this exhibition deals with artistic media - how it relates to the artist's work and why the artist chose that medium to make their artwork. Does the material support the work or does it get in the way? Do all elements work in concert with each other to create a seamless whole? In art, as in most things, it all comes down to a delicate balance.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Two artists talks will be held: Michael Janis and Marie Ringwald on Saturday, March 19, and Matt Langley on Saturday, April 2.
Gallery hours are Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.
Material World
artdc Gallery at The Lustine Center
5710 Baltimore Avenue
Hyattsville, Maryland 20781
About artdc Gallery: Located in the burgeoning Arts District in Hyattsville, Maryland, just outside of DC, the artdc Gallery features painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and more by metro DC artists. For more info visit artdc.com.
