Michael Janis

Archives for Michael Janis

Michael Janis developed a focus on glass after working for twenty years as an architect in the United States and Australia. Now as Co-Director of the Washington Glass School, Janis has taught at the UK’s National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland, Penland School of Crafts, California’s Bay Area Glass Institute, Cleveland Institute of Art, and The Glass Furnace (Istanbul, Turkey). Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2012, he became an Artist-in-Residence at the Institute for International Research in Glass (IIRG) at the University of Sunderland. Janis’ artwork has been shown at major galleries and international art fairs and is included in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2011, Janis had a solo exhibition of his artwork at the Fuller Craft Museum (Massachusetts), and was named a “Rising Star” by the Creative Glass Center of America. The James Renwick Alliance named him "Distinguished Artist 2013/2014 and had him present his work at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Janis was awarded the prestigious Mayor's Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2016. Janis is also editor the Washington Glass School blog.

ECA News Briefs
DC GlassWorks Announces its Closure

DC GlassWorks Announces its Closure

By on September 26, 2019

DC GlassWorks – one of the glass studios integral to Washington DC’s contemporary art scene – has announced its closing soon.

David D’Orio, the artist-entrepreneur who founded the hotshop with four other artists (Graham Caldwell, Jesse Caldwell, Alger Dole, Wyndell Williams, David D’Orio) in 2001 said that the changes in the studio’s surrounding area made it impossible to continue.

We know what an important part DC GlassWorks has been to our art community. Its closing will leave a space in our hearts and our cultural melting pot.

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ECA News Briefs
Montgomery County Executive’s Awards Honors Washington Glass School’s Erwin Timmers

Montgomery County Executive’s Awards Honors Washington Glass School’s Erwin Timmers

By on September 25, 2018

The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) has announced the recipients of the 2018 County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. Established in 2002, these awards honor community leaders whose work in the cultural sector has made an impact in Montgomery County, MD. Among this year’s award recipients of the County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities is Washington Glass School Co-Founder and Co-Director Erwin Timmers. Erwin will be named Montgomery County’s 2018 “Outstanding Artist” for his work in both environmental art as well work as mentor/educator.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett will present nine community leaders with awards in recognition of significant contributions to Montgomery County’s arts and cultural community during a special award ceremony held at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus.

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ECA News Briefs
The Pizza Artistically Considered: Art Works Now ‘Master-Pizzas’ Project

The Pizza Artistically Considered: Art Works Now ‘Master-Pizzas’ Project

By on July 11, 2017

As the organization Art Works Now prepared for their new landmark home in Hyattsville, they teamed up with the building’s restaurant, Pizzeria Paradiso and Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council to embellish the new restaurant space with “Master Pizzas” created by invited artists and arts organizations from the surrounding community. Each artist worked from a 9” wood panel base and were encouraged to create their “signature pizza”. These artists created pizzas using an array of different mediums that reflect their visions, their community, and the world around them. 

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