10th Annual Workhouse Glass International

Juror’s Statement

Glass, a material that can be manipulated through a multitude of processes, results in a wide range of outcomes. Artwork in the 10th annual Glass International at the Workhouse touches on narrative, concept, design, pattern, nature, and innovative technique. When selecting work, I wanted to highlight the potential of the medium and the diverse ways artists work with it.

Viewers will find connections between pieces as they walk through the space. In works such as “Gaber Sisters,” highly crafted blown glass becomes supersized, luxurious lipsticks. Several techniques and materials are used to highlight both strength and fragility in femininity.  “Terraform Spawn,” a surreal, delicate piece of abstract form, with its fleshy, soft, pink undulations, invites viewers to contemplate its existence. “A Casual Walk to Sunday School” brings us to think of our own impermanence, illustrating life and death through luminosity and darkness.

Artworks that give prominence to our natural world call attention to the importance of preservation by encompassing its beauty and fragility. Both “Death to a Frog” and “Opal Landscape” incorporate traditional technique to create intricate floral patterning while “Flurry Rake” and “Precious Stone 49” use metal and glass to show humanity’s influence on nature. “Flurry Rake” delves deeper into current social issues; a camouflage life size rake with water droplets made of delicately flame worked glass allows us to sense our carelessness in ignoring the severity of climate change.

I was delighted in jurying the artworks for this show. The breadth of talent in the glass community is always growing as those who came before us pass down technique and tradition. I commend all artists for submitting their talents and look forward to seeing the show!

Exhibiting Artists

Karen Abbott, Kate Barfield, Denise Bohart Brown, Beryl Brenner, Lee Campbell, Guillermo Castaneda Jr., Marcy Chevali, Anthony D'Amico, Patricia de Poel Wilberg, Jeanne Marie Ferraro, Olga Gobernik Kon, Ruth Gowell, Jennifer Hand, Mollie Hansen, Jennifer Hecker, Marla Heiner, Sara Hitchcock, Mary Jones, Martin Kremer, Kelly Lacy, Becca Low, Sandi Martina, Kimberly McKinnis, Shawn Messenger, Paul Messink, Jack Schmidt, Michael Scupholm, April Shelford, Madeline Shir, Ori Shir, Aric Snee, Chuchen Song, Tim Spurchise, Heather Sutherland, Tabitha Thierjung, Katherine Thomas, Exer Thurston, Michael Tracy, Snuffy Wright