In the world of glass art, it's go time. The Museum of Glass (MOG) has just announced its lineup for the Visiting Artist Residency Program, from July to December 2023. Each artist's stay is a five-day glass magic marathon at the MOG Hot Shop, where they experiment, create, and break new ground in front of an audience. Glass and non-glass artists had the chance to apply for these spots, and this year's crew promises to put on quite a show.
The list is full of different backgrounds and styles. From local Pacific Northwest artists to those hailing from around the globe, there's a lot of diversity. This isn't your grandma's glass art show - think boundary-pushing, medium-blending, and tradition-challenging work.
We're talking about artists like Francesca Lohmann, who's up first in late June. She's all about exploring material in time, and she's known for her solo exhibitions in Seattle and beyond. After her, Suzanne Peck is stepping up to the plate. Peck's work is a mix of glass, documents, textiles, and performance - yeah, she's that cool. Her art practice thinks about touch, interconnectivity, and skin through the lens of sculpture and installation.
In mid-July, Nancy Callan will bring her high-level training and glass sculpting talents. She's got plenty of awards under her belt and has been exhibiting her work since 2001. Salvador Jiménez-Flores follows next with his mixed media work, exploring the politics of identity and colonization.
Don't forget about Hilltop Artists in August. This youth development arts nonprofit is all about using glass art to connect young people to better futures. Then there's Nancy Burgess, a Dakota/Grand Ronde weaver, who will be creating new works inspired by her weaving practice during her residency.
As we move into fall, the lineup keeps getting more diverse and interesting. Davin Ebanks, a Caribbean-American sculptor, will focus on self-portraits animated by unique patterns and images in September. Also, in that month, Joseph Rossano will be creating components for his temporary sculpture, The Salmon School.
In October, Romson Bustillo, born in the Philippines, will create a series of glass funerary jars and containers inspired by burial traditions. Walter Lieberman, an internationally-known glass painter, will also grace the hot shop in October.
November brings Kimberly Thomas, a biracial interdisciplinary sculptor, and Sarah Gilbert, a member of the MOG Hot Shop Team since 2006. Thomas's residency will center on creating large-scale components for her signature invention: The Cloud Riding Contraption. Gilbert hopes to use her time to investigate new avenues for her glassmaking and engraving practice.
The year will wrap up with Layo Bright, a Nigerian sculptor, who will be featured in the Museum’s upcoming exhibition A Two-Way Mirror: Double Consciousness in Contemporary Glass by Black Artists.
With such a diverse range of artists and styles, it's hard not to be excited about what's coming to the MOG Hot Shop. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on each of these artists.
