MORE OF CHIHULY IN ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, CITY OF THE ARTS

 THE BOAT IS FILLED WITH COLORFUL BRIGHTLY COLORED BRIGHT SPHERES.  

It is set on a smooth highly reflective black glass that makes the colors almost florescent.

A visual delight beyond compare, eye candy for certain.  Treat yourself to a treat, a treasure, a master talent with creative genius.

 Video of installation of fishing floats

One of the nicest things about the St.Pete Chihuly collection is they don't discourage photos, they encourage them!  It is hard to take a bad photo, each shot is so beautiful and almost any camera or camera will pick up the light, color and contrast.

JOSEPH CAVALIERI IS ON THE MOVE!

You may recall New York glass artist Joseph Cavalieri from my past blogs. As well as showing his work in galleries and museums, Joseph teaches, and has a few upcoming workshops on painting on glass classes here in the US and in Europe. Upcoming are two classes in Germany. The first is at Bild-Werk-Frauenau, a school nestled in the Bavarian Forrest, outside of Munich, Germany.( August 31-Septmember 9th).  Joseph taught a full group of students here in 2011 and has a few return students this year.  The location reminds him of a German version of Woodstock. Quiet, healthy: a perfect place to create. Following this class is a class at the new Berlin Glas. (September 9-22nd). 
This is one of the first classes at this class center in the middle of Berlin.

Joseph discussing Student Workshop Creation

Wonderful Student Work

Back in the states, Joseph has a class at Gallery Northin Long Island, New York (October 18-20), followed by a weekend class at UrbanGlass in Brooklyn, New York (October 26-27, 2013).  This winter he will be back at the Studios at Key West for a warm weather class (November 9-11, 2013).

Rabbit's Moon Favorite Glass Artist Joseph Cavalieri is on the Move!!!

 JOSEPH CAVALIERI

1. GALLERY TALK UPTOWN IN MANHATTAN

La Maison d’Art Gallery (259 W 132 st.) present the gallery talk for Motown to Def Jam: Respect Yourself, focusing on art inspired by the Chess and Stax catalogs from Chuck Berry to the Staple Singers. Join us for an evening of stimulating art, conversation with expert panelists, networking and more.

Panelists: Jamar Chess, grandson of Leonard Chess (co-founder of Chess Records) and co-founder of the Sunflower Entertainment Group a specialty music publishing house and co-founder of Revolution Songs, a synch driven music licensing company

Dr. Syleecia Thompson, co-star of TV One’s “R&B Divas,” founder of DYG Management Group, LLC, college professor, author, daughter of legendary soul singer Syl Johnson and older sister of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Syleena Johnson 

Chris Mooney, Senior Director Artist Promotions and Strategic Partnerships at TuneCore

Exhibiting Artists:
Joseph Cavalieri, Chomponutt Mayta, Aanisah Hinds, Brian Kirhagis, Harry Spitz, Matthew Namie, Adam Lowenbein, Jeffrey Allen Price, Jonathan Hull,Musa Hixson, Fernando Carpaneda, Brian Einersen, Nzuji De Magalhaes

Title of Show: Strong Women Bright

JOSEPH CAVALIERI

Joseph is an outstanding glass mixed media artist

Location: The Lounge at Dixon Place Theatre, 161a Christie Street, New York City 

Dixon Place presents the work of Joseph Cavalieri a local east village glass artist and educator. The work features illuminated portraits of strong and powerful women from Queen Elizabeth II to Maude (Bea Arthur) and New York drag icon Lady Bunny. All works are silkscreened enamel, kiln fired on stained glass and set in an illuminated light box.

Stop by - the show continues to June 24th.

STRONG WOMEN BRIGHT

Our friend and fellow glass artist Joseph Cavalieri is showing a new body of work about strong women that have influenced his life.  Please check out his show in NYC at the Dixon Gallery.(click)

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   

Glass in Abstract

Rabbits Moon Studio New Artist Series

Kari Minnick(click for link)

Kari is an artist that has come to our attention and new to our site.  We thought you would really enjoy her fresh approach to glass fusion.  It is usualy more common to see glass fusion used as a craft and in more traditional images.  Kari's approach is utilizing glass almost as a canvas that is painted upon.  Her creativity and experimentation is refreshing and innovative.   

She teaches at many art centers and facilities around the country and in her studios in Silver Springs Maryland.  Helios Glass in Texas has invited her to do a workshop with them. 

This fall Kari will be offering a workshop at Northlands in Scotland.  It looks to be an exciting class in a fascinating place.  

After leaving teaching I began to take classes in two areas that I had not done before, clay and glass.  It has been experimental on my part being more of a fine artist than a craftsman.  I wasn't sure how I was going to marry the two and make them work.  Looking at Kari's work makes me realize it is possible.  I would love to take one of her workshops and you might want to as well after looking at her abstract designs.  

Abstract Glass Artist 

Kari Minnick         Abstract Glass
from google image for educational purposes only

Kari Minnick         Abstract Glass Art                      from google image for educational purposes only

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.    

Ashville in a Haven of Craft Artist!

Asheville is a haven of craft artists, as well as, the surrounding areas of the Blue Ridge, and Smokey Mountains. There are weavers, potters, glass artist, wood and metal artist quilters, knitters, jewelry makers and more and more. The mountain people that originally in this area brought skills from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and other countries. Interestingly enough much of the mountain folk music can be traced back to Elizabethian England. There is even a wonderful movie about it called "Song Catchers".

Purl's Yarn Emporium/Asheville, North Carolina

There are crafts people in the mountains that raise their own sheep and llama's, dye and spin their own yarn. Living on the land, and being self sufficient draws people who want a simpler more independent life to the Western North Carolina areas.