Posts by 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 is in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, Florida's Imagine Museum, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and the Museum of Glass (Washington). 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.

By Michael Janis on December 4, 2023

Washington Glass School and Museum of Glass Join Forces to Empower Veterans

Washington Glass School and Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington join forces to empower veterans through a “Hot Shop Heroes” workshop series.

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By Michael Janis on May 24, 2022

Mount Rainier “Artists By the Tracks” Studio Complex Sold to New Owner

The four-building, art-focused warehouse cluster of studios often referred to as "Artists By the Tracks," just over the DC line in Mount Rainier, MD, recently sold. Located in the Gateway Arts District, it is home to many regional creative tenants, such as Washington Glass School, White Point Studio, and Otis Street Arts Project. The...

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By Michael Janis on May 16, 2022

Coppin State University Presents Fired Up! Baltimore’s First Glass Exhibit Since 1996

May 18, 2022 — June 18, 2022

Opening Reception: May 25 from 7-9pm

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By Michael Janis on May 16, 2022

Fab Lab Lecture on Public Art and Community at MLK Library with WGS co-Director Michael Janis

Talk: Saturday, May 21 at 1pm

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By Michael Janis on February 15, 2022

Washington Glass Co-Director Erwin Timmers Exhibits Work at Allegany Arts Gallery in Cumberland, MD

Allegany Arts Council's Saville Gallery presents Washington Glass School Co- Director Erwin Timmers in a solo exhibition titled Reflections in Glass from February 5 through February 26, 2022. Timmers' work addresses issues related to recycling, waste production, the environment, and their relationship to society. Timmers explains: “My work revolves around...

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By Michael Janis on September 26, 2019

DC GlassWorks Announces its Closure

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...

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By Michael Janis on April 9, 2019

Artist Tim Tate to Represent USA in Venice Exhibition

Returning for the 58th Biennale di Venezia, the sixth edition of the art exhibit GLASSTRESS brings together a new line-up of leading contemporary artists from Europe, the United States, Latin America, India, and China in an ambitious exhibition exploring the endless creative possibilities of glass. The show "GLASSTRESS" is a...

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By Michael Janis on September 25, 2018

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

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...

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By Michael Janis on July 11, 2017

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

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...

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By Michael Janis on April 5, 2017

Job Opening at Washington Glass School

Deadline: Wed, 31 May 2017

The Washington Glass School is seeking a warm glass studio coordinator.

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By Michael Janis on February 27, 2017

EMBRACING NARRATIVE: Featuring Artwork of the Washington Glass School and the Virginia Glass Guild Opens at Portsmouth Art & Culture Center

March 3, 2017 — June 4, 2017

Opening Reception: Friday, March 3 from 5-8pm at Portsmouth, VA Art & Cultural Center

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By Michael Janis on November 28, 2016

Washington Glass School Inaugurates Glass and Steel Sculpture at New Laurel Library

New Washington Glass School public art sculpture unveiled at the Laurel Library on November 28.

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By Michael Janis on October 5, 2015

Prince George’s County Artist Represents the USA at International Glass Heap Challenge

Washington Glass School’s Debra Ruzinsky is one of nine international artists who have been invited to participate in the competition.

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By Michael Janis on September 4, 2015

Novie Trump at Hillyer Art Space–Longing For Distant Skies

Michael Janis previews the work of Novie Trump at Hillyer Art Space.

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By Michael Janis on March 30, 2015

A Warm Welcome to Otis Street Arts Project!

Otis Street Art Projects takes over the former Red Dirt Studios warehouse space

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