Sequim This Week

Have you dreamed of creating a colorful and delicate glass float or an amazing piece of glass jewelry? Have you ever wondered how artists create stained glass windows? The Glass Art Festival will answer all of the questions you have about the art of working with glass, and give you a chance to learn how to create a piece of art of your own.

The Glass Art Festival, held at a variety of locations in Sequim during the month of September, will feature artist presentations and demonstrations, hands-on workshops, a museum exhibit, a “Glass Alley” featuring vendors selling one-of-a-kind goods and supplies and more.

The festival is a community-wide event sponsored by the Museum & Arts Center in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.

Most of the events are free and open to the public. Only the hands-on workshops include admission fees.

“Transcendence — The Magic of Glass,” an exhibition of contemporary glass art featuring pieces from artists across the globe, will be on display at the Museum & Arts Center Exhibit Center, 175 W. Cedar St., from Sept. 1-25.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Other highlights of the festival will include free artist demonstrations in Glass Alley, located near the museum, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. each Saturday in September.

Demonstrations will allow festival attendees a chance to view local glass artists who specialize in beadmaking, lampworking, glassblowing, stained glass and mosaics at work.

Glass artists will also give a variety of free talks about their craft.

Hands-on workshops will encourage people to roll up their sleeves and use their creative abilities to fashion a spectacular glass creation.

For a list of workshops, demonstrations and lectures, see below.

“September is a beautiful month in Sequim and on the North Olympic Peninsula,” said Connie Alexander, a festival organizer and museum trustee.

“This year it will be shimmering with an array of glass art throughout the town and beyond. Come experience the Magic of Glass!”

For more information about the festival, visit www.glassartfestival.org.

GLASS ART FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
The following workshops, designed for both the beginner and the experienced glass artist, will be held in artists’ studios in September.

Blow Your Own Glass — Participants will have a chance to blow a glass paperweight, float or heart in a hot shop. Experienced artists will walk workshop attendees through the whole process from start to final sculpture. Workshops will be offered every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in September. Cost is $60 to $75 depending on the complexity of the piece. To register, phone 360-797-1125.

Beveled Beach Treasures and Dragonflies — Attendees will bring their own treasures to fill a memory box they will create during the workshop. Attendees will also create a dragonfly sun catcher. The workshop is offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5. Cost is $95. To register, phone 360-775-4121.

Introduction to Stained Glass Mosaics — Participants will get hands-on experience creating stained glass mosaics. Basic elements of mosaic design, introductory glass cutting, use of adhesives, grouting and finishing will be covered during the workshop. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6. Cost is $145. To register, phone 360-344-3126.

Beveled Snowflake — Participants will get hands-on experience constructing an 8-inch snowflake out of bevels and glass globs. Workshops will occur from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Cost is $125. To register, phone 360-670-6046.

Getting a Reaction From Your 90 COE Glass — Understand how to coax chemical reactions from many Bullseye glass colors. Participants will learn techniques including various effects derived from multiple firing schedules, layering, etc. The workshop will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5 and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 6. Cost is $150. To register, phone 360-477-1910.

Lampwork Beadmaking & Beginning Glass Formation — Participants will be inspired to try beadmaking after attending this demonstration workshop. Techniques, history, beginning beadmaking and more will be covered. The workshop will be offered from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Cost is $15. To register, phone 360-477-2031.

A Taste of Fused Glass — This one-day workshop will provide experience making fused glass and introduce participants to many facets of this art form. Participants will make a medium sized multi-colored platter and several pendants utilizing dichroic glass. Workshops are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, or Sunday, Sept. 19. Cost is $125. To register, phone 360-683-7698.

Multi-Layered Mysteries — Multi-layering techniques for creating amazing results will be demonstrated. An explanation of pot-melt procedures and pattern bars will be included. The workshop is offered from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. Cost is $100. To register, phone 360-477-1910.

Frit Painting for Adults — Three styles of glass decoration that do not include cutting glass will be covered during this workshop. The emphasis will be on Northwest designs and detailed images. The workshop will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. Cost is $65. To register, phone 360-477-1910.

Frit Painting for Adults & Kids — Children who are 7 or older will enjoy an opportunity to decorate glass in two different styles. Halloween and Northwest designs will be emphasized. No glass cutting will be done. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The workshop is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. Cost is $40 for adults, $25 for children. To register, phone 360-477-1910.

ARTIST DEMONSTRATIONS
Demonstrations by a variety of artists covering a range of glass art techniques will be offered each Saturday in September. All demonstrations are free and open to the public.

The following demonstrations will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Glass Alley, located alongside the Museum & Arts Center in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, 175 W. Cedar St.:

Sept. 4 — Michaela Palacios, lampworking and beadmaking.

Sept. 11 — Jean Wyatt, stained glass methods lead and copperfoil.

Sept. 18 — Melissa Penic, basic fusing and discussion of some more advanced techniques.

Sept. 25 — Nancy Rody, stained glass mosaics.

In addition to the above demonstrations, public demonstrations of glassblowing and lampworking will be given at various times Monday through Saturday at Blow Hard Glass Studio, 110 E. Railroad Ave., across from the MV Coho ferry terminal in Port Angeles. For more information, phone 360-797-1125.

ARTIST TALKS
Contemporary glass artists will present free public talks on Saturday evenings at various locations in Sequim. The lecture schedule includes:

Michael Dupille presents Fire Signs, a lecture and slide show, at Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4.

Dennis McConnell gives the talk Fused Glass: From Hobby to Passion to Obsession at Olympic Theatre Arts at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11.

Delores Taylor presents Pushing Boundaries in Pâte de Verré, a lecture and slide show, at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 1441 E. Washington St., at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.

Chris Heilman gives the talk Hot Glass Artistry and Representational Aspects of the Art Glass Movement at Holiday Inn Express & Suites, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18.

Hugh Willa presents Consilience — Science and Art Together at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 525 N. Fifth Ave., at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25.

Visit www.GlassArtFestival.org for more details about these presentations and other events.