Located in Glassworks, one of the nation’s largest
and most complete glass centers, the VONFIRE Gallery represents
emerging national and international glass artists. VONFIRE
Gallery exhibits the work of some of the most innovative
contemporary studio glass artists who are on the verge of
becoming significant influences within the contemporary glass
movement through four rotating exhibitions a year as well
as continuous representation of selected artists from around
the world.
August 1 - 30
ORDERED CHAOS
New Works by Glassworks Artists, Paintings and Drawings by
Skylar Smith
Glassworks is pleased to announce the next show in the VONFIRE
Gallery, “Ordered Chaos”, running August 1-30.
The show features drawings by Skylar Smith and new works
in response to Skylar’s drawings by Glassworks Artists:
Chad Balster, Casey Hyland, Clair Raabe, and Jonathan Swanz.
A Louisville native, Skylar Smith received her Bachelor’s
of Fine Art from Maryland Institute College of Art and earned
her Masters in Fine Art from the School of the Art Institute
in Chicago. She has exhibited her work in Louisville, Chicago,
and abroad, including shows in Delhi and Rajasthan, India.
Smith has curated group and solo shows in Louisville and
Chicago.
Says Smith of her latest collection, ‘This series
explores the 'dance' of opposite poles- order/chaos, expansion/contraction,
microscopic/macroscopic, etc. It is through this dialogue
that dual forces can find a holistic rhythm; one that permeates
and perpetuates all life.’
Accompanying Skylar’s new works will
be works by Glassworks Artists:
Chad Balster: Chad was originally trained in Minneapolis
in a small production studio while studying painting. He
continued his studies in glasworking at the University of
Wisconsin. He then helped construct White Pine Studio, a
hot shop near Battle Lake, Minnesota under the tutelage of
John Olesen. Chad moved to Louisville in 2003 to work at
Glassworks, a collective hot shop with other artists and
opportunities to blow glass. He is a demonstrating artist
and an instructor for community classes at Glassworks. Most
recently he headed up the engineering process of building
a mobile glassblowing studio, (Juicy
Lucy) for Glassworks,
which runs on vegetable oil.
Casey Hyland: While earning his degree in architecture at
Washington University in St. Louis, Casey studied glassblowing
at the Pilchuck Institute in Seattle; The Appalachian Center
for Craft in Tennessee; Penland in North Carolina; Corning
in New York and Urban Glass in New York City. Additionally,
he served as a teaching assistant for glass artist, David
Levy.
Casey Hyland returned to Louisville in 2001 and opened his
own studio, Hyland Glass, LLC. Hyland Glass, LLC now resides
in Glassworks, Casey is co-owner and shop manger for the
Glassworks/Hyland Glass hot shop at Glassworks.
Hyland specializes in contemporary hand blown glass, lighting
design, corporate awards and architectural tiles. His work
can be found in art galleries across the country, including
Coral Gables, FL., San Diego, CA., San Francisco, CA. and
New Orleans, LA. Additionally, he works with design companies
in California, New York, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Clair Raabe: Clair Raabe is a self-taught glass carver
and flame worker. Clair says of her work “my images
are friends from my world of imagination. I am inspired by
the ancient stories filled with larger-than-life heroes,
mysteries and the challenges of following your dreams. I
identify with the character that takes the “other” road
and finds personal fulfillment. Glass is my medium, it is
also my passion. I have followed the road of the creative
soul and have found my heart’s
song. It is reflected in every piece.”
Clair Raabe’s work is in the permanent collection
of the Corning Museum of Glass, the White House collection,
American craftsman and Queen Beatrice of the Netherlands,
a gift from the people of Aruba.
Jonathan Swanz resides in Louisville, KY and is an influential
member of the Louisville glass movement. He began working
with glass at Centre College where he studied with international
acclaimed glass artist, Stephen Powell. Since graduating
in 2001, he has studied and worked in New York, Colorado,
and throughout Europe. In Murano, Italy he apprenticed with
Philip Baldwin and Monica Guggisburg. Jonathan returned to
Louisville in 2005 with a commitment to maintaining his own
studio and pursuing his own work, He is represented by the
Hewett Gallery in Cincinnati, OH, the Riley Gallery in Cleveland,
OH, and the Sandra Ainsley Gallery in Toronto, Canada. He
has pieces in permanent collections of the Headley-Whitney
Museum of Lexington, KY, and Jewish Hospital and Hilliard
Lyons, both of Louisville, KY.
September - October
Christopher Lydon
Opening Reception Friday, Sept. 5th!
Exhibition Description:
You can expect to see amazingly large and imaginative sculptures
and vessels in this glass exhibition; squids, turtles,
and bio-shaped vessels to name a few. Impressive cold and
hot-working techniques used in both Venetian and contemporary
American glass are employed by the artist resulting in
a style that is unique and original to Lydon.
Glassworks Gallery has been exhibiting works created by
Philadelphia artist, Christopher Lydon for the past 3? years
and is proud to present his newest body of work.
About the Artist:
"My inspiration for
vessel designs include a wide spectrum of styles ranging
from traditional Venetian glass technique to contemporary
pop culture."
Simplicity. Precision. Perfection. Throughout Christopher
Lydon's career, these words have remained a mantra shaping
and redefining a body of work that is continually fresh,
modern, and distinctly off beat. This unwavering attention
to craftsmanship found its beginnings at the University of
Arts in Philadelphia, where Lydon earned his BFA in 1999.
Determined to hone his skills and explore possibilities for
his career, Lydon began teaching, studying at the Pilchuck
Glass School and The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass,
and apprenticing with professional glass artists.
The work that Christopher Lydon produces is the summation
of 12 years in glass. His personal style and refined designs
create a product line that is both sublime and whimsical---an
interpretation on classic form that continually seeks to
surprise.
Fore more information on the artist please visit: http://www.glassboss.net
Related Dates and Performances:
Friday, September 5th 6p-9p Artist Reception and Gallery
Talk
Glassworks would like to invite you to join us at the VonFire
Gallery to meet the artist, Christopher Lydon, and view his
most recent works in glass. There will also be live glassblowing
demonstrations in the hotshop for the First Friday Trolley
Hop.
Saturday, September 6th 12p-4p Demonstration
Christoper Lydon will be working in Glassworks hotshop, recreating
some of the sculptures that are included in the Vonfire
Gallery exhibit. This is free and open to the public.
November - February 2009
Jewelry and Lighting
Opening Reception Friday, Nov. 7th
