Sculptural Glass Tours at Artomatic

Sean Hennessey and Cheryl Derricotte and other sculptors at the Washington Glass School will be giving tours of select glass sculpture at Artomatic every Sunday in June. Meet in the lobby by 2 PM, if interested.


Join a glass art tour of Artomatic!
Hosted by members of the Washington Glass School, these informative tour guides will lead you directly to all the great glass on exhibit this year! Ever wonder how a piece of glass art was made or what was the artist's motivation? This is your chance to ask and learn. All tours leave from the lobby of Artomatic. Wear comfortable walking shoes and join in the fun!

Tours Dates/Times/Guides:

JUNE 2009

Sunday, June 14 @ 2pm, Sean Hennessey, Cheryl Derricotte and Syl Mathis
Sunday, June 21 @ 2pm, Sean Hennessey, Cheryl Derricotte and Anne Plant
Sunday, June 28 @ 2pm, Sean Hennessey, Cheryl Derricotte and Jim Manning

55 M Street SE
Washington DC

Artomatic Opens Tonight!

Artomatic 2009
55 M Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003

Opens May 29, 2009

Fri-Sat: Noon-1 am
Sun, Wed, Thu: Noon-10 pm

Take Metro! Located directly above the Green Line Navy Yard Metro Stop, West Entrance
website



Come to the 9th floor to see my new creations in Glass, Concrete and Steel.
In creating my pieces i use common and slightly nostalgic items to tell a story of transformation and growth based on my interpretations of religions, spirituality, and myths.The ethereal quality of glass set within the earthly and corporeal concrete is the metaphor our our yearning and questing souls confined in these earthly bodies.

Plus, they're like wicked cool and i'm really happy with them!
more of my work can be seen here

Artomatic 2008 is ending soon!

Go Check out Artomatic this weekend.

I'll be giving a tour of Washington Glass School Artists exhibiting at Artomatic on Sunday.
if you're interested, please meet me in the lobby at 1:45. We will start the tour at 2 PM.


There will be bands and performances and workshops all weekend. this is the biggest art event dc has to offer, you'll find something you dig.

i've been toying with some video pieces to introduce my work. i'd like to start doing some techniques oriented ones. i'm actually rather camera shy but i'm trying to get over that.
anyway, heres an intro to my pieces at Artomatic 2008:






my etsy shop is HERE

Artomatic 2008 Opens tomorrow Friday May 9th

Artomatic is dc's biggest art event. dont miss it!

its free!
its metro accessible!
there will be a bar and a cafe!

1200 First Street NE
Corner of First and M streets NE, next to the South entrance of the new york avenue metro station.

Come see my installation of concrete lightbulbs, and three new glass panels.

Artomatic opens Friday, May 9th, 12 noon

• Wednesdays and Thursdays: 5 pm – 10 pm
• Fridays and Saturdays: 12noon – 2 am
• Sundays: 12noon – 10pm
• Mondays and Tuesdays: Closed

Sneak Preview: the first stage of making glass art

I use kilns at the Washington Glass School to fire Float Glass to create my sculptures



I'm partial to Float Glass because of the industrial nature of the material and the process of turning it into sculpture. It creates a rugged, yet always elegant material when fired. Glass also is a wonderful ethereal-feeling counterpart to the concrete that i use in my sculptures.

I start with a collection of objects, ( and my kiln firing schedule!). I always bring more things that i'll use when i'm working at the glass school, just in case. there's an element to the process i use that is somewhat spontaneous and improvisational. Sometimes i change my mind at the last minute.

my box of stuff, some of which i made, some of which i found:


Usually i sketch out my compositions and prep my objects ahead of time. i think about the series that i'm creating and the end result i want. sometimes i want larger sculptures, smaller more easily shipped pieces to sell online, or pieces for commissioned jobs.
Then the hard part starts.

I create plaster molds inside the kiln:

You have to be very meticulous during this stage. i often breathe out very loudly after each detail is complete. an exhale of relief. You create the mold in steps with the shallowest detail first, to the deepest part of the relief last. but any shimmying can ruin all your detail. heaven forbid you knock one of your objects into the plaster.. not that i've ever done that..... nope. not me.

working with all that plaster gets messy.

once the imagery and texture are finished and the molds are all set,
i cut all my glass, and place it over the forms.

Because the plaster acts as insulation and the castings are made of a solid 1/2 thick piece of glass, it takes a really long time for the complete firing. In addition to the insulation and thickness factor, glass must change temperature slowly in order to retain its integrity. As we heat up the kiln , we must do so gradually. once the final temperature, around 1600 degrees ( note: i may bit a bit off on that) is reached and held for a ( secret amount of) time, the glass must be annealed, or cooled off VERY slowly. I wont be able to open the lid of the kiln for almost two days.

I cant really foresee exactly how it will turn out. will the glass devitrify? will the glass fill all the detail of the molds? will there be air bubbles? will it crack in half? so many unanswered questions!


Once i pull the pieces out i will clean them off and clean out the kiln for another artist to use.
I will bring the pieces back to my studio and add concrete elements to each. i will also get them ready for hanging.

check back for photos of these steps soon.

and come see the finished pieces in person at Artomatic 2008

artomatic 2008

For immediate release

NoMa BID media contact: Artomatic media contact:

Leslie Braunstein Marina Reiter

703-234-7762 202-271-4748

info@lhbcommunications.com reiter.marina@gmail.com

Artomatic Comes to NoMa May 9–June 15, 2008

Up to 800 artists and 50,000 visitors expected in
D.C.’s most exciting new neighborhood

The NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue) Business Improvement District (BID) will host this year’s Artomatic, the Washington, D.C. area’s homegrown art extravaganza. From May 9 through June 15, 2008, up to 800 local and regional artists will exhibit their works on eight floors of the Capitol Plaza 1 building, located at 1st and M Streets, N.E., just one block from the New York Avenue Metro station.

Held regularly since 1999, Artomatic transforms an unfinished indoor space into an exciting and incredibly diverse arts event that is free and open to the public. In addition to displays and sales by hundreds of artists, the event features free musical, dance, and theater performances; holiday celebrations; films; educational presentations; and much more.

This year’s Artomatic, occupying 200,000 square feet at Capitol Plaza 1, will be the largest to date. Designed by renowned architect Shalom Baranes and owned by an affiliate of The Polinger Company, Capitol Plaza 1 offers 293,000 rentable square feet of Class A office space, with dramatic Capitol and city views from the upper floors.

“We are thrilled to partner with Artomatic in an event that will bring tens of thousands of people to NoMa,” said Elizabeth Price, president of the NoMa BID. “It is a great opportunity to showcase the transformation that is underway in NoMa and infuse it with the energy and creativity of the artistic community.”

"Artomatic has come back to its roots in D.C. with our largest event ever,” said George Koch, Chair of Artomatic. “We are excited about our partnership with the NoMa BID and their help in bringing this new space to our attention. Artomatic 2008 will have an abundance of exhibit and performance space that will be open to all — from recognized artists to undiscovered talents.”

Registration for artists and performers who wish to participate in Artomatic will be open soon. To stay up to date on the event details and schedule, visit www.artomatic.org and sign up to receive the Artomatic newsletter.

###

About the NoMa BID:

NoMa is an emerging mixed-use neighborhood north of the U.S. Capitol and Union Station in Washington, D.C. Private developers have invested almost
$2 billion in 2007–2008 alone, with plans to develop more than 20 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail space in the 35-block area covered by the NoMa BID over the next 10 years. For more information about the BID, including an interactive development map, see the BID Web site at www.nomabid.org.

About Artomatic:

Artomatic is a creative community that collaborates to produce and present a free arts spectacular. Participation is open to all, from recognized artists to undiscovered talents, who work in a variety of arts forms. In partnership with the development community, Artomatic transforms unused building space into a playground for expression, serves as a catalyst for community growth in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and helps to grow our creative economy. The nonprofit Artomatic organization is headed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit www.artomatic.org.

some pictures of the space and views













here are some photos from Artomatic 2007

Glass3- reception Thursday February 21st.

Glass 3
I will be taking part in a rather interesting international event bringing together three important glass art studios:

Dualism Concrete, Glass 15" x 29"2008 Sean Hennessey





Glass3 is a collaborative exhibit featuring the works of The Washington Glass School, Cohesion Artists from Sunderland England, and artists selected by the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo.
Glass3
February 21st- March 9th
Monday- Saturday: Noon- 8PM
Sunday: Noon- 6 PM
Reception: Feb 21, 11AM -1:00PM and 6-8PM Two Receptions!


The Shops at Georgetown Park
3222 M Street, NW

More information can be found here



Dcist Review Here
Tracy Lee took some cool photos

Whats been going on?

I havent posted that much lately, but i don't really have a good excuse as to why.

-Artomatic is now over and was a fairly busy event for me. In addition to exhibiting and being there for as many events as i could, i also organized an artists market to set up for three sundays. AOM is an extemely rewarding experience and i would encourage all artists to participate in it when it comes around again.

-I had two weekend workshops that i've recently taught and were quite succesful.


-Rania and i set up at a craft show in baltimore.

-We're doing the Ballston Arts and crafts Market this saturday in Ballston, VA.

-Pile of Craft in Baltimore at the end of the month.

-i've been posting a bunch of art on my etsy.com gallery. look at my amazing feedback!

- I've moved out of my studio in mount rainier and am currently working out of my house.

- I have a show at Black Rock arts center coming up.
August15- September 7th, with an artists reception on August 18th.


shoot me an email if you want anymore details, of if you are interested in some faux finishing



art@wheresmycoffee.com

Open Studios today! Artomatic Closes tomorrow!

two great art events in one weekend!


OPEN STUDIOS!
All of the Gateway District Artists will be hosting open studios this saturday from 12-5.


This will be my last open studio in this location, so please come by.


My Address is
3708 Wells Ave REAR, MT Rainier, MD 20712

Wells Avenue runs along the train tracks. I am on the other side of the building, on the first floor. You will see a sign that says SCENIC ARTISANS and a Washington Glass School banner.



From Rhode Island Avenue,
go SOUTH on 34th (at the traffic circle in Mount Ranier)
take a right on OTIS STREET
You will see a group a white warehouses. I am located between the two that are next to each other.



Artomatic
NOON - 10 PM on Sunday
2121 Crystal Drive
Arlington, Va.

Metro stop:
Crystal City
After 4PM there is free underground parking in the Crystal City Shops
across the street.

Hours
Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday: Noon–10 p.m.
Thursday: Noon–11 p.m.
Friday, Saturday: Noon–1 a.m.
Closed Mondays

My Room, which I share with Rania Hassan and Kirk Waldroff, is on the
6th Floor. # 6A57.

Art Ransom

here is an article of the almost absurd abduction of a Tim Tate sculpture from Artomatic

Wanna heckle some artists?

come on down to Artomatic tonight. its meet the artist night.

there should be some free wine anyway.......

Meet the Artists!

Friday Night is Meet the Artists Night at Artomatic!

Free admission.
April 13–May 20, 2007
2121 Crystal Drive
Arlington, Va.

my update AOM list

Here is the list of art that i think you should check out at AOM

Big Art Show and The Marketplace at Artomatic

Two big events to see Art.

Saturday Night!

The Big Art Show
Saturday, April 28th
@ The Rock And Roll Hotel
1353 H Street, NE,
Washington, DC 20002
Doors @ 7 ~ all ages ~ $5





Sunday afternoon/evening
The Marketplace at Artomatic
This Sunday from 3-9!


Artists and artisans will set up an arts market from 3-9 PM this coming Sunday, April 29th at Artomatic in the Emerald Cafe on the 8th Floor.

Items ranging from sculpture to book arts, from prints to weird things with no accurate description will be on display and available for sale. T-shirts and other such items will be abundant. All things are made or designed by the Artist.


come out and see us!
Artomatic
2121 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA (Crystal City metro)
Artists Include:
Sean Hennessey
Rania Hassan
Beth Baldwin
Kristina Bilonic
Michael Stebbins

Jim tretick
Anita Knight
Roger cutler
eileen colton
jeanine valrie
Claudia Olivos
Sergio Olivos
jennifer beinhacker
Eileen Keefe
Moira McCauley
Pattie Lee
Anthony Dihle
Fort cloudy
Virginia Blanca Arrisueno
Jenny Isaacs

I've been mentioned.

Thanks to Tim Tate and Elizabeth Morisette for mentioning my work at Artomatic

Tims mention comes from Mid Atlantic Art News and can be found here

Elizabeth's mention comes from her blog HERE

My Artomatic Favorites ( top 8 and counting....)

so far, these are some of my favorites from Artomatic 2007.
I'll fine tune this list and add a few more to get an obligatory top 10.

1. Veronica Szalus- metal spikes,paper and plaster: perfect combination.



2. Novie trump- Novie's series of ceramic sculpture is beautiful. great textures, wonderful themes. skilled execution. i'm a big fan of Novie's work.


3. Rebecca Gordon- Ant-O-Matic. just because it's insane.



4. Laurel Lukaszewski - Laurel is a studio mate of mine and seeing her work everyday is inspiring. it has this wonderful ordered craziness to it. so structured but expelling radical ions. i really like Laurel's work and this installation is a smart use of her space.



5. Elizabeth Lundberg Morisette- This is a perfect installation. wrapping around the column in front of big windows. smells wonderfully of beeswax. powdercoated paper. Stunning to see and smell.



6. Sergio OlivosM- i like his use of wax and burnt objects. the organic quality of his work really appeals to me. I respond to these on a very visceral level.



7. Cory Oberndorfer:


because whoever can combine both these images in one presentation rocks. look at the egg!


8.Joanna Knox i'm especially excited that i'll be having an exhibit with this photographer later in the year. Her work has a clean but eerie feeling. shes seems to use white much like Andrew Wyeth.....and in a way that parallels my limited use of color, in my mind anyway. Nonetheless her imagery is intriguing.there is a quiet desolation i enjoy.



9.?
10?
though i'm not sure if they are my top ten favorites yet
I really like this piece:
Its a graphite drawing straight on the wall. I'm a big fan of installation painting.... so this is kinda up my alley. I don't know who did it. *Alexandra Silverthorne mentions that its John Adams*



This and other pieces by Michael Stebbins are pretty cool:


There are a bunch of encaustic artists too that i'm really digging on:

Sondra Arkin, who has an opening of MORE work at Nevin Kelly gallery on thursday.


and this artist, whose name i don't recall:



then there was the person that did this piece:

though i thought that only two of them had much bite.

There weren't too many straight up painters than were doing incredible work, but these paintings by Claudia Olivos were beautiful, especially displayed together. i'm afraid that if you buy her work, you'll have to buy 5 or six paintings to display next to each other



There are a number of other excellent artists, but are either good friends of mine, or my wife, so i can't really add them to my top ten, even though their work is new and exciting.
here are some pictures of their work:


Rania Hassan



Tim Tate:

Michael Janis

Kirk Waldroff:



Erwin Timmers




All in all i think that this years Artomatic has the most professional vibe to it, though perhaps at the expense of experimentalism. Its very well put together, the presentations are tight. There are some artists that have retained the energy from the original AOM at the Manhatten Laundry, but more have moved on and it seems that the energy of AOM has changed altogether.

I wager that Art Outlet will fill the experimental niche........