Jiyong Lee's three-dimensional Cubism includes this work entitled Leaf Cuboid (2010).
While the Northwest may be the epicenter for American glass art, and the East Coast a place where it often intersects with the wider contemporary art world, the space between isn’t well-known as a hotbed of new work in glass. But a new exhibition opening Saturday, August 21st, at the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at the University of Southern Indiana, may change those perceptions as it will showcase work by emerging artists Jiyong Lee (pictured above), Carmen Lozar, Amy Rueffert, and Matt Urban.
Each of the featured artists has strong Midwest connections, either through teaching positions (Lee and Lozar are both faculty members of universities), artist in residencies (Rueffert was a 2009 visiting artist at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois), or by geography (Urban is leading a series of weekend workshops at Chicago Hot Glass this fall). The exhibition will kick off with an opening reception on Saturday evening from 4 – 7 PM, and then continue through September 26th, 2010. Entitled “Contemporary Glass,” it will feature flameworked, kiln-cast, and blown and cold-worked glass sculpture.
IF YOU GO:
New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art 506 Main Street New Harmony, Indiana Tel: 800 231 2168 Email: New Harmony Website: www.newharmony.org
I very much appreciate the highlight of midwestern glass artists in this article. But to say that the midwest isn’t a well known hotbed for glass may not be completely accurate.
Maybe I’m a bit biased, having been educated by midwestern university glass programs, but I must say- I think that the midwest is quite a gem when it comes to glass.
Ohio: Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, Cleveland Art Institute, Columbus College of Art & Design
Illinois: Southern Illinois at Carbondale, Illinois State.
Kentucky: University of Louisville (brand new program!), Central College.
Indiana: Ball State University (also brand new!!)
The opportunities for glass artists in the midwest are plentiful.
The Glass Art Society conferences in recent years have frequently passed through the midwest:
St. Louis 2006
)
Pittsburgh 2007 (OKAY. not midwest, but something like 30 miles from Ohio.
Louisville 2010
Toledo 2012!!
Speaking of Toledo… the new Glass Pavilion in the Toledo Art Museum is a phenomenal place experience. The modern art glass movement essentially began in the Toledo Art Museum parking lot! (the wonderful and pivotal moment when glass began to move from a craft into an art) .
Public Glass Facilities (just naming off the top of my head): Glass Axis in Columbus, Neusole in Cincinatti, 3rd Degree in St. Louis, Chicago Hot Glass, Pittsburgh Glass Center…
I suppose that my point is that while I was living in the midwest, I could barely throw a stone without hitting a place that was filled with skilled glass artists, eager to show others how to how to work make beautiful things.
It’s quite a different story up in Northern New England. New England should aspire to be more like the Mid West’s glass community- warm, welcoming & full of heart.
Well said, Thank you for your post.