Empty Molds for Empty Bowls

 The San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) will be participating in the San Antonio Potters Guild 15th annual Empty Bowls event benefiting SAMMinistries. I was in such a rush to finish some bowls to deliver to tonight's SAGAG meeting that there wasn't time to photograph them. All that was left to photograph were these empty molds after donating my empty bowls. You will find a few glass bowls  among the many fabulous handcrafted bowls at this years event. For each bowl purchased guests will enjoy delicious soup and bread from local restaurants. All proceeds benefit San Antonio families facing homelessness who are served by SAMMinitries.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

11:00am - 2:00pm

Southwest School of Art

300 Augusta Street

Untamed Show Opening

Join us for the opening reception of Untamed, a juried glass exhibition sponsored by the San Antonio Glass Art Guild and the Bulverde Area Art Center, this Friday from 5:30-8:00pm. Hope to see you there.

Untamed - Glass Exhinition

Untamed

a juried glass exhibition 

sponsored by the San Antonio Glass  Art Guild

August 15 - September 20, 2014

at the Bulverde Area Art Center 

in downtown Bulverde, Texas

Opening Reception

August 15 from 6-8pm

 I am very excited to exhibit this series, titled Nested, for the first time as part of the San Antonio Glass Art Guild juried exhibition Untamed. These pieces include flameworked and kilnformed glass to form the nest and felted wool for the eggs. The inspiration behind this series came several years ago.

In June of 2009, while at a farmers market in Portland, Oregon I purchased a skein of hand spun wool. The fiber varied in thickness and color. It had character and I purchased it not knowing what it would become, only that I could and would make it into something wonderful. I carried this soft mass back to San Antonio as a prized possession. I would have to give it thought to determine the right use for this material. But before I could take action my nine month old puppy did. When I found her the once nicely wrapped ball of yarn was pulled apart, twisted and contorted, tied in knots and ripped in places. I immediately became angry, irate even. I grabbed the mass of fiber and sat down at the top of the stairs. Slowly I began to work out segments. It took well over an hour for me to unravel the mass of tangled threads, tying the broken ends and rewinding it back into a tight ball. As I did this my fingers worked apart the spider web like fabric. My anger slowed, my eyes and fingers focus and my mind flooded with memories.

It wasn't till 2011 that I finally did something with that ball of wool. And not till this year that the experience has finally come full circle in these glass and wool pieces. I look forward to making more and seeing how they evolve as yet even more time passes.

Nested (4) kilnformed glass and felted wool

OLLU Best of the West 2014

 April 5, 2014 from 4:00-11:00 PM

Our Lady of the Lake University

Best of the West Fiesta Event

The San Antonio Glass Art Guild will be participating in Our Lady of the Lake's Best of the West Fiesta event Saturday, April 5, 2014. Fiesta is such a exciting time of year in San Antonio and this is a real community event that is fun for the whole family. I particularity enjoy the opportunity to return to my alma mater. The OLLU campus is a jewel on the city's west side.  Members of the San Antonio Glass Art guild will be facilitating a craft activity for kids of all ages. Five members, including myself, will have work available for display and sale. Come out eat, drink, enjoy the children's area and live performance. If you do be sure to stop by and say hello.

The People Have Spoken

The San Antonio Glass Art Guild sponsored it's Recycled Glass Challenge again this fall. It's a fun oppurtunity for members to step outside the box and work with materials they might not normally include in their work. The event is judged and prizes awarded all in the spirt of fun and exploration. One of my necklaces was awarded People's Choice this year.

ART281 - 2013

SACG Mini Workshop

I am so excited about tonight’s mini workshop with the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild (SACG). This will be such a fun opportunity for SACG members to try their hand at a different medium. I will be demonstrating how glass can be manipulated in the flame to create spirals and flourishes. We will talk about some basic safety, material and design considerations for working with glass. Then using small butane torches members will get to experience bending and shaping 2mm strings of glass in the flame. The mini is both a demonstration and an opportunity for a little hands on experience.

If are interested in more information, you will find a complete tutorial for using a butane torch to bend glass in the San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) cookbook. The cookbook includes both recipes and tutorials from members of SAGAG. Proceeds from the cookbook go to support the SAGAG scholarships program.

Thank you to Gail at Wired Designs Studio for providing the butane torches and Sam at Dream Fire Glass for providing the wave mats. These contributions enabled us to have enough stations for all workshop members to get a chance to try this technique for themselves.

Texas Heat

  

 

I recently received news that several of my pieces have been excepted into Texas Heat a juried glass exhibition. The show is sponsored by the San Antonio Glass Art Guild. Works will be displayed at the Bulverde Area Art Center from September 6 through October 4, 2013. An opening reception will be held Friday, September 6 from 6-9 pm and is open to the public. This should be one hot show.

 

 Texas Heat Opening Reception

Friday, September 6 from 6-9pm

 Bulverde Area Art Center (BAAC)
2355 Bulverde Rd. #9
Bulverde, TX 78163

ART281

I recently signed up to participate in my 5^th ART281 event. Sponsored by the San Antonio Glass Art Guild, Art281 is a juried showcase for hand-made art and fine craft of all mediums.  Located at My Place Bar & Grille in Bulverde, Texas, the event is ideally situated on Hwy 281 North between San Antonio and Bulverde, in the foothills of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. There are still indoor and outdoor spaces available but you must sign up quickly to be included in the event show book. For more information visit www.art281.com.

Save the Date: Saturday, October 12, 2013 from 10:00am - 5:00pm

Since I last posted...

I realize it has been a while since I last posted.  Here are a few things, in no particular order, that have happened in the mean time.

 

Granny Smith a 21inch vibrant glass bowl sold in July.

 

Finally finished a kiln carving that started over a year ago as a class demo.

 

Explored alternative routes on my monthly drive to Fredricksburg.

  

Finished work on a bathroom redesign with a few glass touches.

 

Delivered new work to Artisans of Rocky Hill 

including Morning Commute and Northern Lights.

 

Entered three pieces in the juried exhibition Texas Heat.

San Antonio Glass Art Guild Annual Meeting

WHEN

Thursday, May 30, 2013 6:30 - 9:00 PM

WHERE

This meeting will take place at Val's barn. The address and a map were included in the SAGAG News & Announcement email. If you did not receive this email or need assistance, please contact info@saglassguild.com.

WHAT Head out to Val's barn for some real horsing around. The meeting is full of excitement including:
• Margaritas and snacks, yum.
• Annual Election - Put the right people in the right jobs to help SAGAG.
• Yearly Membership Renewal - Members paying by cash or check at this meeting will be eligible for a drawing for a free membership.
• Volunteer of the Year Award - We have members that do so much for this organization. Let's take time to acknowledge a few of them.
• Door Prizes - Yes, you have a chance to win cool prizes just by showing up.
• Raffle - Increase your odds of walking away with a prize by participating in the raffle. Proceeds benefit SAGAG.
• Art281 - Sign up for the SAGAG's fall event.
• Get the low-down on a new juried Art Show.
• There will be a presentation by SAGAG scholarship recipient Anne Burtt.
·       Find out what programs the SAGAG has in store for the rest of 2013.
• AND a surprise gift for all attending members!

SAY Si Small Scale Sweet 16

Tonight is the culmination of the SAY SI Small Scale Work For a Larger Cause exhibit.  The event includes a silent auction, live music and inspiring cuisine from some of San Antonio’s top chefs. More than 200 local, regional and national artist participant including yours truly. The event helps raise funds for SAY Sí’s tuition-free programs with 100% of proceeds going to supporting student programming. It's a great cause.

Check out the online catalog of work being auctioned tonight.  The piece I exhibited at the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild Fall Exhibit will be included in this year's Small Scale auction. The event is from 7pm to 10pm with bid times at 8:30 and 9:15.

BIG Weekend Ahead

This weekend is packed full of activities starting with Up Town Art Stroll in the quaint historic neighborhood of Olmos Terrace. The event is Saturday, November 3rd from 10am to 5pm and Sunday, November 4th from 12pm to 5pm. I'll be at location #17. Check online for a studio map with detailed information.

Sunday, November 4th is the opening of the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild's Fall Exhibit. Join us from 4:30-6:30pm at Crumpets Restaurant at 3920 Harry Wurzbach for an opening reception. The show will continue to hang through January 6, 2013.

Blog Action Day - The Power of We

What happens when a group of like minded individuals come together? Together a group has the potential to accomplish much more then the individuals themselves. I feel honored to below to two such groups of artists here in San Antonio, Texas.

The San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) is a not for profit alliance of glass artists organized to increase education and awareness of the glass arts by providing workshops, publications, lectures, shows and demonstrations available to members and the general public alike. The guild aims to promote community awareness, understanding and appreciation of the glass arts and to maintain a support network for artists, which provides educational, mentoring and marketing opportunities.

ART281 is an event sponsored by the SAGAG and held just this past Saturday, October 13th is. It is a great example of what the guild strives to accomplish. The event increased education and awareness as visitors had the opportunity to see glass blowing demonstration, as well as meet and interact with a variety of glass artists. ART281 created marketing opportunities for the guilds members to sell their work and network with other artists and patrons. This event was accomplished strictly through the volunteer efforts of  SAGAG members.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this event successful.

The San Antonio Calligraphy Guild (SACG) provides calligraphers with educational information to stimulate interest and appreciation for the art of calligraphy. The guild does an absolutely amazing job of making educational opportunities  accessible through:
- Low cost mini workshops one evening a month
- Major workshops that bring visiting artists from across the world
- Education programs at each on of its general meetings
- And an extensive lending library of calligraphy material

I am personally looking forward to taking a year long workshop planned by the SACG with Reggie Ezell  in 2013. This opportunity would not be possible if it were not for the greater effort of the group. I have learned so much from this organization and continue to look forward to both what I have to learn and what I may offer in return.

Art & Education Through the Power of We

ART281

 Deep In The Heart of Texas...

Join us for a one-day gathering of talented regional artists, live demonstrations, shopping and great food.

 For more information visit http://www.art281.com/.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

My Place Bar & Grille

29094 US HWY 281 N

Bulverde, TX 78163

Sponsored by the San Antonio Glass Art Guild

What: SAGAG Annual Meeting

When: May 24, 2012 6:30 PM -08:30 PM

Where: Absolutley Everything Catering (AEC)

6:30pm Dinner
7:00pm General Meeting to included:
• Election of officers - This will be my last official meeting as President of SAGAG. I have enjoyed serving in this role for the last three years and look forward to seeing the direction new leadership will move our organization. Tonight's meeting will be the members’ opportunity to elect a new board of officers. This is always an important part of our duties as members. I encourage all SAGAG members to participate.
• Volunteer Award Nominations and Voting - In 2011 SAGAG created a Volunteer aware to acknowledge, encourage and retain those members who contribute their time and energies to the guild. Nominations are accepted from our general members and must be turned in prior to tonight’s meeting at 7:00pm. All nominees will be acknowledged and the guild will vote for one to be awarded a paid membership for the upcoming year.
• Membership Renewal - To encourage timely renewal members are encouraged to pay membership dues by check or cash during this evening meeting. Those who renew tonight will be entered into a drawing for a free membership. One lucky winner will be returned their membership fee.
• Program Announcements - This will be your chance to be the first to hear what the SAGAG meets will be for the first have of the 2012-13 fiscal year. Exciting stuff coming...
• Show and Tell - To add to all the festivities we are creating the opportunities for members to bring a piece of work and show us what you've been up to this past year. This is a great way to share with friends, get ideas and ask for feedback from your peers.

Hope to see you there.

Luminaria 2012 - Glass Alley Recap

It's been well over a week since Luminaria and I still feel like I'm basking in the glow of lights. San Antonio has a long rich tradition of being a parade and festival friendly city. Match that up with the local art scene and it just doesn't get much better. Once again Glass Alley was complete with flame workers,  Larry West demonstrating in his mobile glass blowing furnace, the Brother of the Flame, the San Antonio Society of Artisan Lampworkers (SALSA), and  members of the San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG). We occupied space between the Institute of Texas Cultures and the Tower of the Americas. With a view of the Tower and the fire dancers, members of the local glass guilds demonstrated flame working techniques and educated the public on the local art glass movement.

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Members of SALSA demonstrating on the torch.

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Thank you Louise and Denise, devoted SAGAG members, for all of your time and effort without which Glass Alley 2012 would not have been possible.

Luminaria

Luminaria

San Antonio's Annual Celebration of Art and Artist
Downtown San Antonio, Texas

May 5, 2012

The San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) has participated in Luminaria every years since the events inception.  Look for Glass Alley this year in the yellow zone, #11 on the Luminaria map. For more information about Luminaria visit http://luminariasa.org/.

Carnahan Elementary School Art Walk

The Carnahan Elementary School Art Walk was last week. This was my 4th year participating. I was thrilled to see the continued growth of the event and the children's excitement at being exposed to so many artists in a variety of media. I bumped into several good friends from both the San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) and the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild (SACG). Always so but particularly in this day and age of decreasing school budgets, it is important that we do what we can in our local communities to promote the arts and art education.

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I had the right size flame for an elementary school event. Using my little butane torch I bent 2mm strands of glass into spirals just as outlined in the tutorial in the SAGAG cookbook. This is a great demo to discuss the role of science as  we work with heat control and gravity to achieve our desired results.

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 Right next to me children were taking turns trying their hands on a potters wheel. I thought Juliet did great for her first time. Craftmanship must just run in the family. Great job kiddo!

Luminaria Postponed

It has just been announced that Saturday's Luminaria festivities are being postponed. In light of our current weather, I am somewhat releaved. Keep you eyes on the Luminaria website for updated information. and I'll keep you posted on Glass Alley's roll in any rescheduled event.
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On the bright side, great weather to cozy up to a dual fuel torch and make some more glass components. Tonight is afterall fiery Friday at Dream Fire studio.