DUNCAN MCCLELLEN HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK WITH ART!

Duncan McClellan's Glass Studio is well on its way to becoming one of the largest hot glass studios in the USA.  

Duncan McClellan's latest show highlights Washington D. C. glass artists, each exhibiting cutting edge designs in glass mixed media art.  Every new exhibit Duncan has put together shows innovative glass work from studio artists around the country. All the events that Duncan does are well attended and smartly done.  He certainly has a talent for community involvement, promotion, and entertainment, as well as, his own art.  He is building programs with resident artists, educational outreach programs, on site workshops and no telling what else.  Our area is richer for his vision, passion and leadership.

In the most recent show Sean Hennessey, Tim Tate and Michael Janis, Erwin Timmers, and Allegra Marquart are very innovative and creative glass artist from Washington Glass Studio. Each artist offers a new way of experiencing glass media art.
Sean has wonderful pieces that speak of history, mythology and archeology. It is as if one were an archeologist unearthing a recent treasure that was just peaking out from under the surface.  There is a wonderful mystery to Sean's work.

Sean Hennesey  Killing Time  Mixed media and Glass     photo used with permission of artist

Tim Tate's work is innovative, edgy and yet there is a hint of today as if it illusionary passing over into the future.  He is passionate about his art and generous with his time and talent. He was one of the founders of Washington Glass.  He has great energy and is an artist who shares his ideas and techniques.  I have met many artist through the years if they discover something they want to hide it, keep it to themselves and protect it from others. This is not Tim, he is a builder and a leader and a teacher.  What a pleasure it was to meet Sean and Tim.  One can tell this is a studio full of positive energy and talent.  It made me want to hop on a plane and go to D.C. to sign up for classes!  My hope is Duncan can talk some of these guys into doing workshops here!  Hint, Hint.

Tim Tate         Video Tea Time    photo used with permission

I did not meet Michael, but Sean gave me a wonderful explanation of his process and technique.  I thought when I first saw the work it was a photo transfer, not so.  Michael is actually manipulation frit bit by bit to prouduce these photo realistic works.  I was totally amazed.  And to add to that it fires it layer by layer.  This is a process I must see in person and meet the artist also.

Michael Janis  Washington Glass Artist   

THE RIPPLE EFFECT IN ART

This was once a seafood packing plant before renovation
with over 7,800 sq. ft 

THE SEAFOOD WAREHOUSE THAT BECAME A STUDIO!
the vision of one artist is a role model for others  in the arts

ONE PERSON HERE, ONE PERSON THERE, A TEACHER, AN ART LOVER, A PARENT, A GROUP THAT JOINS TOGETHER IN COMMON PASSION, THAT IS HOW IT STARTS...THE RIPPLE GOES OUT, THE SEEDS ARE DROPPED!

I can tell you in every community all around the world, large or small this is how it begins with one person with dedication and passion who effects another or many.  Their influence bathes others in their light of creativity and vision, and then like a planted seed it takes growth.  Duncan McClellen's Studio warehouse is one successful example.

Main gallery of Duncan Mc Clellen's Studio

How can I be so certain this is the path you may ask?  It has been my journey, I answer.  I have been an artist and arts teacher for well over 37 years.  As an artist I have practiced much longer.  I have also been an active art advocate all those years and to present. I have sat on art council and lobbied for the arts at our state capital.  I have seen how one person or a small group of dedicated people can change attitudes and communities.   

Living Room of studio, off to the left is the deck below

Front deck has sculptures, exotic fruit trees and seating

The element of fire is in several areas, carrying out the image of fire in the
process of glass blowing

Now envision your town, your area, your village, neighborhood or wherever you are in the world.  Do not think of money or resources, not right away.  Think of a dream, think of a vision, think of a passion you have in art.  Start with your talents and abilities, join with others who have other abilities with a vision or dream...that is how is comes into reality...that and a lot of hard work. Ah, one more thing...always be generous to other artists, students, schools, and patrons!

Bar with Duncan's etchings on the side deck of warehouse

In  future post we will look at other artists and communities that have transformed warehouses and depressed areas into art studio's, art centers, and art class areas that in turn build a more vibrant community.

A SHINING STAR

ONE  STAR OF THE SUPER BOWL WEEKEND OF ART

Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg

JOSEPH CAVALIERI  

Madonna in Prada  by Joseph Cavalieri                   photo by Elizabeth Gordon

Joseph Cavalieri and me at Duncan McClellan's Glass Studio Open House
Wonderful work, wonderful artist, and nice guy!

 Some people are just good people, they are good, kind and humble.  Joseph Cavalieri is an very talented artist who is fascinating to talk to, down to Earth and extremely generous.
Joseph is also a very talented and energetic man.  His work is highly detailed and crafted.  There is an element of surprise to every piece.  It is almost art come alive, for the light of the glass and colors feel like a living thing.

Joseph Cavalieri's work is at times wonderfully humorous if not a bit

cheeky and serious with historyview from a modern touch 

Meeting my cousin Lisa for the first time at Joseph's show! Lisa and her

husband are huge supporters of the Arts in our area.  Two of her sons are

artists themselves.  A community that invests in the arts has many champions.

R Crumb Influence is wonderful in these art pieces 

Duncan McClellen's Glass Studio where Joseph's work was

shown.  Duncan is very generous with other artists, supporting,

encouraging and promoting.  

A SHINING WEEKEND OF GLASS ARTS

Steven Rolf Powell                               Glass Artist

St. Pete once again proves it is an Art Town!
When a community focuses on the arts it enriches itself economically and culturally.

Dali Museum Art Night Opening

On the Florida Gulf Coast in the middle of the state lies an area that comprises the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg and surrounding areas.  It is becoming known as the Tampa Bay Area. The communities are blending in ways that make them almost one big city and that is a good thing. There is much art in both areas, and together it is a wonderful offering for those who live there and those who visit.

Steven Rolf Powell    Glass Artist                              from google for educational purposes only

Dale Chihuly at his new St. Petersburg Museum

This is going to be a great weekend of glass arts in the Tampa Bay Area.  St. Petersburg really has become a town that puts a huge focus on the arts. First it was the Museum of Art, then came Dali Museum, the Morean Art Center, the Florida Craftsmen Guild, the Train Depot(clay center), and now a new stunning Dali museum and the Chihuly Museum. 

Duncan Mc Clellen's Art Warehouse Studio, the hub of the warehouse arts district

 Duncan Mc Clellen's huge warehouse studio will be buzzing with an open house and guest glass artists demonstrating and showing their work. 

Joseph Cavalieri 

Duncan McClellen's  Wave 

Joseph Cavalieri will be there and Steven Powell.  Dale Chihuly will be in town speaking at the Vinoy and highlighting his museum in St. Pete. (the only museum of his work in the USA other than his home of Seattle). 
 Wow! What a weekend!  And there is an art walk with all the galleries and museum open this weekend!!!

The Ripple Effect in the Arts

ENVISION THIS

A STONE DROPPED INTO A POND 

IT SETS OFF A SERIES OF RIPPLES,

 AT FIRST SMALL

BUT GATHERING MOMENTUM 

THE RIPPLES GET LARGER AND LARGER UNTIL

THEY REACH THE EDGE OF THE WATERS.

                                                                                                                                           from google image for educational purposes only

It is the same with people in a community, one person with intent and passion about an idea can effect others who effect others, until a whole community is touched.  

google, for educational purposes only

I remember watching a old classic Christmas movie, I think you may know it, with Jimmy Stewart.  It is set in the depression era when the banks fail and Jimmy's character is struggling to help all his friends and customers.  He is feeling failure and that if he could just end his life no one would care because he was worthless.  An angle in the form of grumpy old man comes down and grants Jimmy his wish, and shows him what life would have been like in that town if Jimmy had never been born. All the good he was doing would never have touched all the lives he had changed, and they in turn would not have changed other lives and the community at large would have been a desolate place.  
In this community where I live I see people who make a huge difference for the area, especially in the arts.  It may be the same in your area or town or it could be your area is awaiting someone to step up and offer leadership.  That person may be you or a group you represent.  I can see towns, as I travel, that have grown in the arts and others that have not.  What a difference it makes for the richness of peoples lives and the prosperity of the community. 
In my community there are many people to thank and to be thankful for the energy and passion they put into art and art education.  Here is an example of one person's passion about art and community that is making a huge difference in our area. 

Duncan McClellen, Glass Artist              from google image for educational purpose only

DUNCAN MC CLELLEN/GLASS BLOWER AND ARTIST

Imagine an old run down section of a town, warehouses that have gone vacant and set empty for years.  An area that became dangerous, due to drugs and crime.  The area was dirty, dark and not a pretty site..no one would ever want to live there or buy property.  Well, no one except for Duncan McClellen who decided to take a risk and buy and old sea food packing plant and make into his home, studio, and galleries to show other artists work.  Then in the dry sun parched sand lots surrounding his studio he plants fruit trees of all kinds and they thrive!  Now imaging other artist buying warehouses, more studio's, monthly artists walks, a trolly that comes to the old warehouse district bringing tourists.  Visualize an active thriving community, that teaches classes, sells work, art shows and an infusion of culture and money.  That is what Duncan built...of course not all by himself.  Remember the original image, a stone dropped in a pond and ripples going out.  And so it was and so it is! 

Click on this link and like their facebook page.

It can be in your community too...just seek to make a difference, seek to promote the arts, but be generous and support others at the same time, the growth will double if you do.    

A Man Who Does Good in the Name of Art

Duncan McClellan
hero of the arts

Duncan McClellan, glass artist                         from google image

DON'T ASK WHAT THE ARTS CAN DO FOR YOU, ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE ARTS! 

Glass Art of Duncan McClellan                                                                from google image

That is Duncan's philosophy. It is Kennedyesque, but it is also all Duncan, a one man rocking machine!  He is a glass blower, and he etches his glass in amazing ways.  He is a charming engaging man.  He is a successful artist who has made his way.  The story could end there, if he were a man who only focused on himself and his success.  But what makes this story unique is he did not choose to focus on himself only.  He chose to help a community, a neighborhood, fellow artists, schools, and a city along the way!  

Duncan's Art Studio, Gallery, home and organic fruit garders                  photo by elizabeth gordon

He single handily turned an old dying warehouse district into a district of the arts and active studios.  He took an old warehouse in a very iffy area, sunk a huge bunch of money to turn it into his studio, galleries for himself and visiting artists and now a huge hot shop.  Every Saturday on the first day of the month he opens he studio to every one, and it is quite an event.  He also reconditioned an old trailer into a traveling art trailer for the local schools. 

with $6000 dollars Duncan reconditioned this old trailer with a sand blaster, and glass art tools to take to the local schools to teach them about glass blowing and etching.  photo by elizabeth gordon

 For he knows something I know as a teacher of the arts, if you teach children to love and appreciate the arts they will the future buyers of art, and visitors of galleries!  But he does if because he cares about kids and the arts.  He is a man with a big heart and a huge smile. 

Maryanne(art therapist and author)  and my with the handsome new manager of the new hot shop
Jake Stout

First Saturday Art Opening at Duncan's Gallery and Studio

Side patio at Duncan's Gallery with another artists sculptures

Mediterraneo by Sergio Daveri and Italian Artist

Sergio Daveri

Duncan's Art Openings are a popular event

The point is we can all chose to do art for ourselves and our needs or our bank account...Duncan chose to bring others along with him in his success and to be inclusive rather than excluding.  To me that makes him a hero...a hero of the arts! 

Duncan McClellen is a glass artist whose work is absolutely stunning. He is a friendly generous person who promotes other artist and his community. His blown glass vessels are are large, colorful and etched with rich imagery. On a recent art walk in St. Petersburg, Florida I visited his studio. His studio is a work of art itself. He renovated an old sea food packing building into his hot shop, studio, galleries for rotating artist, office and his home. Off two decks are large areas of exotic fruits trees that thrive wonderfully in the middle of sandy Florida soil. He has a magic touch. The dog sculptures are new and I have yet to find who to honor with the creativity.

The photograph below shows some of Duncan's work and that of other artist. The mobile hanging above is made of rolled film negatives. Showing other artist work is a generous and supportive roll an artist can do for their community. Duncan is a wonderful role model.

These are not stellar photo's of Duncan's glass work, but if you go to Duncan's website you will find a wide range of work and better images. http://www.dmglass.com/
Blown glass continues to amaze me. If you have ever watch someone blowing glass with hot molten liquid glass, beyond searing hot, rolling out a blob on a long metal pipe, blowing, turning, blowing, turning, large leather gloves holding tight, sweat dripping..it is an awesome sight. St. Petersburg is also the site of the only Chihuly Glass Museum outside of Washington State.