July 2023 Newsletter
Beads, Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh, and GlasTac!
Art in the Shop: Trade Beads, Glass Beads by Malcom Potek, and Malcom's Amazing Private Bead Collection
Trade beads are beads that were used as a part of a bartering system within communities as far back as 40,000 years ago. We have a gorgeous assortment for sale here by the bead and by the strand.
Glass Beads by Malcom Potek
Malcom has an array of beads using a wide variety of techniques for sale in our gallery case. If you want to learn to make beads and paperweights like this from Malcom himself, check out our Try it! Torch classes!
"A River of Barley"
2009
Lampwork
"Fumed Migration"
2010
Lampwork
"Kiln Landscape"
2007
Fused
"Saturday in the Park"
2005
Fused Glass
Malcom's Private Bead Collection
Did you know that Malcom has been collecting beads by bead artists?! He has an extensive bead collection, and some of them are available to view in the shop in our gallery case. Here are just a couple of favorites. Check them out next time you are in.
Dinah Huelet
1994
Kristina Logan
1994
Patty Walton
1996
Angela Green
1994
Artist in the World: Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh
Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh was a female pioneer of the 'Glasgow Style' in the 1890's. Her art was often credited to her architect husband, the famed Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh was part of a group of women who were the first females allowed to enroll in the Glasgow School of Art. Mackintosh was skilled in a variety of mediums, such as watercolor, metal work, glass, and textiles. It is believed that her artwork inspired artists such as Gustav Klimt, Josef Hoffman, and of course she had an enormous influence on her husband's work. While her art was marginalized in her lifetime, her husband recognized her gifts, famously saying “Margaret has genius, I have only talent.”
Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh (Scottish, 1864-1933)
The May Queen, 1900
Gesso, hessian, scrim, twine, glass beads thread, mother of pearl & tin lead on panel
158.8 x 457 cm
Glasgow Museums
Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh (Scottish, 1864-1933)
The White Rose and The Red Rose, 1902
Painted gesso on hessian glass 100 x 98 cm
Private Collection
Charles Reneee Mackintosh (Scottish)
Stained glass attributed to Charles, but likely with collaboration from Margaret.
Stained Glass
Upcoming Classes at Potekglass
Beginning Stained Glass
August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th
Price: $115
Member Price: $103.50
4-week course, 2 hours each week (plus 2-3 hours of homework between sessions).
$115 Plus glass, tools and supplies.
Learn the basics of stained glass from start to finish using the copper foil method. We'll teach you pattern preparation, cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering, framing and finishing. Stop in before the first class to pick out a pattern, pick out and purchase your glass, and your beginner kit ($155 - which is a 10% discounted price for enrolled students). There will also be supplies and tools to purchase each week to take you through the creation process (approx. $140 total). Students will have homework each week, and opportunity to work in the shop at a discounted rate.
Thursday Evening Classes are 6pm - 8pm. Saturday Afternoon Classes are 2pm - 4pm.
Try-iT! Basics from Boron
July 29th
Price: $95
Member Price: $85.50
Discover the sculptural potential of scientific Borosilicate named for the element boron, which is added as a flux to create an American hard glass! Students will explore torchwork basics and each skill taught will culminate in a project after hands-on practice. Throughout this 3 hour class we will gather molten glass to create a small paperweight, smash and twirl an icicle ornament, and experiment with glassblowing to create a small figure.
Open Studio: Practice Your Skills!
We host 4 hour Open Studio Sessions every month for Kiln, Torch, and Mosaic artists to practice their skills.
$35 non-members / $25 members
Join us for an Open Studio Session at Potekglass
These sessions include 4 hours of shop time with large work space and studio equipment available for use. BYOT - Bring your own tools from home or rent a student tool kit. We also have tools and glass available for purchase at the studio.
Create any size project, collaborate on ideas, and meet other artists.
Torch and Kiln certification required for those Open Studio Sessions.
Space is limited so please reserve your seat ahead of time.
Private Lessons
Customize your glass experience. With over 20 years of experience in glass, there are many techniques and projects Malcom can prepare you for and guide you through. From designing and producing your own tiles and lighting in the kiln to techniques on the torch Malcom has experience that only a select few can match.
$125/hr for one person
+ $62.50/ hr for each additional person
+ materials for larger projects
2 hour minimum
Retail in the Shop:
*** LIMITED TIME STEAL OF A DEAL***
15% OFF Glastac - for lightly gluing your fusible glass in place before firing.
