May 2024 Newsletter
Art-A-Whirl, Lowry Reconstruction, Heather Kremen, 100 Moments Project, & Classes
Art-A-Whirl 2024
Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the country, and happens annually throughout Northeast Minneapolis. There will be over 1,300 artists, galleries, and businesses participate at over 100 locations. Art-A-Whirl is a fantastic way to connect with artists in their own spaces, enjoy demonstrations and interactive activities, listen to live music, and enjoy local restaurants and breweries.
Potekglass will be open for Art-A-Whirl Friday, May 17th 10am -8pm, Saturday, May 18th 10am - 5pm, and Sunday May 19th 12pm - 5pm.
We will be hosting a drop in makers activity. Fused Magnets! Scroll to our classes section for more info!
Artist in the World: Heather Kremen
Heather Kremen is a former Minnesotan and teacher at Potekglass, now living in New Zeland. Kremen is a glass artist that specializes in cast, fused, and blown glass. Her pieces draw inspiration from natural features, tapestries, and Maori tribal designs. Much of her work combines fused glass techniques with blown glass methods developing complex patterns.
"Medicine Man"
Heather Kremen
Cast Glass using Lost Wax Technique
Vandalia Glassworks, St. Paul USA
"Double Koru Green"
Heather Kremen
Incalmo Blown Glass
2015
“Blue Study”
Heather Kremen
Fused and Blown Glass
Amokura Glass, Rotorua
Incalmo glass is a technique where two or more pieces of blown glass are fused together. Here the technique is used to integrate the green and white bands of glass in "Double Koru Green".
The complex patterns in "Blue Study" are achieved using a technique known as Roll-Up. Roll-Up is a collaboration between fused and blown glass. The vessel, "Blue Study", started as a kiln-formed tile, created by melting together various sheet glass strips, giving it its flowing and dynamic patterns. The tile was transferred to a furnace to heat up in preparation for blowing. Kremer then attached a blowpipe to one end of the fused tile and rolled the blowpipe, wrapping the fused tile around the blowpipe to create a tube. The tube is the basis for the blown glass piece, which is shaped and finished.
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. Please click the link below for directions to Potekglass!
Art in the Shop: 100 Moments Project
The Society of American Mosaic Artist Season Five Gallery presents, 100 Moments Project. This collection of art includes mosaic, mixed media, stained glass, and fused glass. It represents the full spectrum of the Society of American Mosaic Artist's and the Stained Glass Association of America's diverse and richly creative members. Each piece submitted is 6″ x 6″ and features an original design.
Malcom Potek is a featured artist in this gallery. He writes, I was motivated by the freedom of a timeline and a size crunch. No time to mull over my feelings, just make something. My hope is that the relateablenes of the tree allows for a consideration of depth of meaning and medium.
"Less Movement than Desired"
Malcom Potek
2024
6″ x 6″
Bullseye glass fused, refused and tak fired, copper foil, silver foil, gold foil
Upcoming Classes at Potekglass
Art-A-Whirl Fused Magnet Class
Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm
May 18th & 19th
Cost: $15
Drop-in and create a 2" x 2" magnet! Learn the basics of fused glass with this magnet making activity. Participants will learn to cut glass, assemble a pattern, and fusing basics.
Try-iT! Kiln Class: Fusing and Slumping
Thursday 5pm - 8pm, June 27th
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 10am - 1pm, May 25th
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.
Flower Power!
Thursdays 5pm - 8pm
May 23rd, 30th, June 6th, & 13th
Cost: $285
Member Price: $258.50
Welcome to a delightful spring-themed hot-glass workshop where you'll bring blossoms to life in stunning borosilicate glass!
Over the course of 4 weeks, participants will embark on an artistic journey, honing their skills in working with borosilicate color. Through hands-on practice with rods and frits, students will explore techniques for color application, blending, and maximizing material efficiency.
In addition to mastering color, we will delve into the fundamentals of flame dynamics and hot-glass sculpture, enabling students to craft intricate and lifelike floral creations.
Students are required to have taken a Try-iT! Glass Torch Class prior to this class or have previous mixed gas torch experience.
Stained Glass Leaded Window
Saturdays 2pm - 4:30pm
June 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd
Cost: $115
Member Price: $103.50
Learn the traditional method of window creation using lead came and zinc. Find your own pattern, which should be no larger than 24" x 24", 34 pieces or less, with straight lines and curves. Feel free to stop in ahead of the first class to discuss your pattern. You will need lead pattern shears, a soldering iron, lead cutter, glass cutter, glass breaking pliers and sheet glass for your window, which you can purchase here. Other needed supplies/materials will be discussed in class.
Students are required to have taken a Beginning Stained Glass Class prior to this class or have previous cutting and soldering experience.
