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Message from the President

Having just returned from an amazing tour of the best of contemporary Czech glass, I was tempted to write about it in my message, and indirectly I am because it made me think about all the  wonderful  work to  be seen  in the  USA.
Since we are a large country, the glass art produced here has tremendous variability in technique, style, and motivation. Washington State, especially in the northwest, is known for its talented glass blowers. Oregon has large flameworking and kilnforming communities. California has a number of artists interested in installations rather than single objects, or objects built of many parts.  Other regions of the country have their own identities. 

However, there is something that is common to many of the US artists choosing glass as their medium…working as a community.  Whether it’s because of the technical or financial challenges the medium presents or for other reasons, artists work together, helping their peers formally or informally. Glass artists do think of themselves as a community rather than individuals in competition.

 There is also another common thread…the “what if?” factor.  An interest in pushing boundaries is deep in the American psyche, and pushing the boundaries of glass is no exception. An artist is expected to change, to create new bodies of work during his/her artistic evolution, to invoke the “what if?” question.  One of the unique factors that allows for this mentality is that studio glass is one of the youngest mediums in the art world. There are technical innovations still to be had, which in turn present new conceptual possibilities. Both as artists and collectors, we are not content simply with mastery of a skill or idea. The need to continually explore has a huge cultural component. The result is exciting art, sometimes messy, with a big dose of exuberance. Aren’t we lucky?

Susan Longini

Glass Alliance of Northern California invites you to join us for a
CERAMICS TO GLASS TOUR
Saturday, February 13, 2010

10:00  Bob Brady and Sandy Simon’s Gallery/Studio/Home
Trax Gallery
1812 5th Street, Berkeley
www.traxgallery.com

12:15  No-host lunch at a local restaurant

2:15   Arlene and Jack Garfinkle’s Art Collection
21 Sotelo Avenue, Piedmont

This tour was arranged by Randy Strong

GLANC members are encouraged to call and make an early reservation
Private car transportation will be coordinated by GLANC
R.S.V.P. by February, 8th
Directions will be provided with your confirmation

Linda Goldstein (650)327-9155      GLANC Programs Coordinator