August 2024 Newsletter

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New work, New Classes, & Bertil Vallien

Art in the Shop: "Orbits"

This artwork was a collaboration between the homeowner and our shop. Jill had a distinctive look she was hoping to capture and provided designs of tile in her home as well as other artworks that gave her inspiration. After deciding on the colors and an initial approach I (Malcom) set to work designing the panel. For my part, I have been thinking a lot about different spheres of existence. Those people that come in and out of my life, some significant, others that shoot through and leave impressions in their wake. This is the result of those meditations. Kudos to Mark Trease our pre-eminent stained glass pro for putting this together. Note the bent rebar that so perfectly matches the lead came work. Amazing!

"Orbits"

Residence MN

34" x 81"

Stained Glass Door

Artist in the World: Bertil Vallian

Bertil Vallien has been a pioneer in the glass art movement for over 5 decades. He was principal artistic director of Kosta Boda and then Kosta. Together, Bertil and his partner, Ulrica, shaped the face of contemporary scandanavian glass art. His work is deeply evocative and symbolic. It is easy both to loose and find yourself in his sculptures.

During a trip to the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, Bertil Vallien was captivated by the fantastic boats used by the island’s people. After his journey, he began to develop the idea of the boat. as a container of an isolated world

"The boat has always fascinated me, for its beautiful shape and for what it means: livelihood, adventure, travel, birth, and death. We all have a respectful relationship with the boat. The fisherman in the archipelago does not cut up his tired boat for firewood. When she can’t float any longer, she rests in peace and slowly nourishes new boats."

"Cargo Seed 2"

Bertil Vallien

sand cast sculpture

47 cm x 6 mm

https://www.mothersweden.com/bertil-vallien-glass-boat.html

"Head 6"

Bertil Vallien

2010

8" x 4 3/4" x 8 1/4"

Sand Cast Glass

The heads describe various emotional states, ranging from calm and rest to angst and distraught. They often convey a sense of timelessness and ghostly spirituality.

Lowry Ave Reconstruction

Hennepin County, in collaboration with the City of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Metro Transit, and the six Lowry Avenue Northeast corridor neighborhoods, plans to improve Lowry Avenue (County Road 153) between Marshall Street (County Road 23) and Johnson Street in Northeast Minneapolis. Reconstruction is anticipated throughout the summer.

Explore Bullseye Experience in Portland - October 21st-25th

Cost: $3,823

Explore the inner workings of Bullseye Glass Co in Portland, Oregon, while expanding your glass fusing skills in this unique experience including five days of hands-on projects with Bullseye instructors, plus lots of fun behind the scenes extras.

Five days of hands-on projects in Bullseye Research & Education Department
Tour of the Bullseye Factory and Bullseye Studio architectural fabrication department
Tour of local glass artwork installations or area gardens
Opportunity to hand-select glass from the Bull Pen
Six nights’ accommodation at the Inn at Northrup Station + Breakfast
Five lunches and one group dinner out

Upcoming Classes at Potekglass

Stained Glass Panel Lamp

Thursday 6-8 Aug. 8, 15, 22, 29

Cost: $115

Member Price: $103.50

Enter the world of 3-D stained glass creation! In this 4-week class you'll create a multi-sided panel lamp shade using the copper-foil method. Learn what makes a good lamp shade design, and techniques for successful shade construction. Stop in ahead of the first class to discuss your pattern and pick out glass. Bring 2 copies of your pattern to the first class. Students will purchase a few supply items during the class.

Beginning Stained Glass class or equivalent is a prerequisite for this class.

Try-iT! Kiln Class: Fusing and Slumping

Saturday 2-5pm August 10

Cost: $95

Member Price: $69

Simple to start endless in its potential; join us for a 3 hour session of kiln forming glass through fusing and slumping. Compose a mosaic of color and form in this introduction to fusing glass in a kiln. Students will learn to cut patterns out of sheet glass, make frit, and work with a variety of glass formats by combining them in the kiln to produce a 5" x 5" glass tile that will then slump into a catch-all dish.

No experience or supplies necessary. Class cost covers glass and student tool kit rental for the session.

Try-iT! Italian Soft Glass Beadmaking

Saturday 10 -1pm August 17th

Cost: $95

Member Price: $69

Discover the ease of molding and shaping colorful Italian soft glass when it’s hot! Students will learn to gather molten glass and apply it on a mandrel to make beads on the torch. We will then explore surface decoration techniques to enhance beads such as, dot stacking and stringer application. Expect to go home with anywhere between 6 and 12 beads depending on your work style.

No experience or supplies necessary. Class cost covers glass and student tool kit rental for the session.

Wild Color Mosaic Pet Portrait Erin Ward

August 17th and 24th

Cost: $195

Member Price: $175

Create your own abstract and boldly colored glass mosaic artwork based on a photograph of your pet or animal of choice.

Students will learn the process for assembling a mosaic and how to render their image with all the nuances of color, line and shape. During the two class sessions, we will prepare the base of the piece, learn how to cut (various types of scoring knives options to try) and shape the glass, glue it and finally grout the final product. Students will complete their mosaic in the week between classes to be ready to grout week 2.

Students will need to bring or purchase glass scrap. Available at the shop for $5/lb

Sheet of the Week Playlist

Each week our studio hand selects a sheet of glass we are currently loving. We choose a song to fit the sheet and you can buy it at a 15% discount for that week. Check our socials for updates!

Sheet of the Week Playlist on Spotify