January 2022 Newsletter
Ongoing projects, classes in the shop, art in the world and more!
Art in the Shop: Willow Woods
"Willow Woods" is the second in a series of landscape projects. Traditionally an abstract artist I have committed my artistic practice to pursuing natural settings both physically and in the work I will produce over the next year. Let me know what you think! - Thanks Malcom.
Artist in the World: Donna Rice
The 6 month progression of "Grace" pictured in 62 steps, from creation of the wax model(s) to finished sculpture.
Donna Rice is a Minnesota artist who specializes in crystal sculpture. Her work is inspired by organic forms that embody beauty and elegance. Rice uses a casting process to create crystal sculptures. Each sculpture begins with a hand-built, positive wax model that is encased in special plasters to create a refractory mold. The wax form is then melted out, and the negative void is filled with crystal inside a hot kiln. When cool, the plaster mold is broken away, and the crystal sculpture is revealed. Rice writes, "using lost wax techniques often takes many months to complete".
"Mercy" is part of Glass Lifeforms 2021. This exhibition features contemporary artworks inspired by Harvard University's acclaimed collections of plant and invertebrate models produced by 19th & 20th century Czech glass artists Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka.
"Grace" is composed of two separately cast crystal parts nestled together to visually form one blossom, the Showy Pink Lady's Slipper orchid, (Cypripedium reginae) the state flower of Minnesota.
"Mercy", Peony, Peonia, Pivone de la Chine (16.5" h x 12.25" d)
Currently on view at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA until April, 2022
https://glasslifeform.org
"Grace" (17" l x 19.75" w x 8.5" h)
The centerpiece of Rice's solo exhibition, "The Nature of Crystal" at the MN Landscape Arboretum 2020 Flower Show.
Upcoming Classes at Potekglass
Kiln Try-iT!
Beginner
February 5th
10:00am - 1:00pm
3 hour class
Cost: non-members $95 / members $69
Simple to start endless in its potential; kiln-forming is to glass what conducting is to instruments. In this course students will learn to cut patterns out of sheet glass, make frit, and work with a variety of glass formats by combing them in the kiln to produce a glass ring dish.
Italian Soft Glass
Beginner
February 12th
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
3 hour class
Cost: non-members $95 / members $69
Discover the ease of molding and shaping colorful Italian soft glass Effetre when it’s hot! You will learn to gather molten glass and apply on a mandrel to make beads on the torch. We will then explore surface decoration techniques to enhance beads. Expect to make between 6 and 12 beads depending on your work style.
Hearts Pendant Class
Intermediate*
February 13th
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
3 hour class
Cost: non-member $95 / member $85.50
Experiment with mixing and extending colors. Leave with your own heart-shaped pendants out of Borosilicate glass just in time for Valentines Day. Never worked with color before? This 3-hour intermediate class will get you there! Techniques covered will include striking a color as well as mixing and extending color and shape with tools and a torch.
*Note: Participants must have taken a Torch Try-iT! class or have other previous torch work experience in order to register for this class.
Free Glass Friday - Torch & Kiln
January 14th, 21st and 28th
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
$35 non-members / $25 members
This includes 4 hours on our equipment with a set of student tools and free glass.
The glass provided for the kiln session is all Bullseye baby! Italian soft glass, borosilicate glass and bullseye glass available for torch session!
Retail in the Shop: Bullseye Glass
Bullseye is raising prices on January 14th by 9.6%. Consequently, Potekglass will increase prices to cover the cost of Bullseye glass.
Stock up on Bullseye sheets, frits and rods before January 31th to receive the current glass prices! Browse our glass selection us in store or online.
