Arizona!

After speaking and spending time in New Mexico, I headed to Arizona to speak to the Arizona Glass Alliance in Scottsdale.

Oddly enough, I have a good number of collectors in Arizona. One couple, The Schomers, happened upon my work at an exhibit in DC 2 years ago. They bought a piece of mine at the show. Another couple bought a piece of mine at a show in Detroit. Their glass alliance then visited the Washington Glass School and a few more of my pieces were picked up. Pretty exciting to know a bunch of people this way in another region altogether! This is how I wound up speaking to their group. 

I was hosted by the Hellers, who I knew through Habatat Gallery in Michigan. They have an awesome new house and were terrific hosts! With offers of Margaritas, harvesting Kumquats and fresh orange juice, a crazy fun hotdog place, a cute dog, and fun conversations it was a blast to stay with them. The generosity and support from the Glass community is amazing. The Schomers organized my presentation and showed me their collection and were just absolutely beautiful people to spend time with. 

On the night of my presentation, the the Glass Alliance was also giving a secret award to Fred and Sharon Shomer for their hard work and dedication to the group. This meant a packed house for me!

I had some tech issues, and my presentation started late. and 3/4 of the way through, my computer lost contact with the projector. I though, "oh god, how am i going to entertain these people!" it was pretty hilarious and i guess at the end, no one hated me too much. so all was well.

The Hellers also gave me a quick tour of galleries and artspaces in Scottsdale, and i got to tour the collection of another couple that have a piece of mine. and I visited the Art Tent. a 10 week tented art show. 

It was a super fun time. 

Because of the super cool friend of mine and great artist, Jason Chakravarty, I was in an exhibit in Phoenix at the Circle 6 Gallery and Glassblowing Studio, run by John Longo. 

I visited the show and space and had a fun time in Phoenix, though i really was only there for an afternoon. 

Thus concluded my main reason for visiting the SW. 

BUT! I had another agenda. I knew i wanted to go to a friends wedding in San Francisco, and I also had a good friend that just moved to northern Arizona. I thought i could extend my trip in the SW, and then head to SF without having to fly back and forth another time. 

So after Phoenix, i headed to Cottonwood Arizona to visit Artist and good friend Novie Trump. 

The drive up included a great pit stop at a small coffee shop with one of the best breakfast sandwiches i've ever had. Man, i do love those Hatch Green Chiles.

Cottonwood is an adorable little town, and Novie found a perfect wonderful special house. an amazing place with views of the Tuzigoot Ruins. Just stunning.

Novie has a studio up in Jerome, Az

Jerome was at one point, the place where the most copper in the world was mined. then it was a ghost town. nows its a cute little village with wine bars, art studios, and craft stores. all with wonderful views and lots of visitors.

The guy whose studio next to Novie's is an amazing artist.

check out the work of Alan Burr Johnson. he's great.

Novie is awesome. her work is wonderful. her studio is amazing. she's living the dream.

We went on a hike to the magical magical realm of Sedona.

I also got to meet up with my buddy, another fantastic, artist Peter Bremers. also the wonderful Janet Hargus. We had a few, i vaguely recall.

But then i was off again. A breeze through Flagstaff, which was a surprisingly cool town

Then a drive off to the Grand Canyon

Yes, it was great. I even got up before sunrise to see the sunrise over the canyon.
But you know what? After that I went to Antelope Canyon. and that was utterly mesmerizing.

this is what it looks like on top

this is me coming out of the canyon

any way, AMAZING.

Then i went back to new mexico.......

New Mexico: Part 1

I recently visited New Mexico and had a fantastic time. It was my first time to the state and I met a bunch of cool people and learned a ton.

My first stop in New Mexico was in Albuquerque and the Gruet Winery. Apparently New Mexico has some of the oldest vineyards in the country. and while I typically don't care for sparkling wines, every wine I tried at Gruet was terrific. If you're in Albuquerque, check it out!



While i loved the wine, that's not why I took the
trip. My reason for going was to do a presentation to the New Mexico Glass Alliance at the William Joseph Galley on Canyon Road in Santa Fe.

I had heard Santa Fe was a great art town, but never having been there, I really didn't know what to truly expect. but i LOVED Santa Fe. The Architecture and vibe of the city is totally unique. The chill, relaxed atmosphere and the amazing amount of art was truly amazing. what fun! and so many galleries.

The William and Joseph Gallery graciously hosted my work and talk ( and will even have me continue to exhibit with them!) The New Mexico Glass Alliance was lively, energetic and inquisitive group. You know, for most artists, it's pretty hard to give an elevator pitch about their work. it's a whole life that you have to illustrate to really give a sense of what your work is, and why it is. Being given the opportunity to give a (perhaps too) long talk about my work really is an honor and privilege. You have a fairly captive audience, but you don't want to take advantage of them. i certainly have a fun time talking and get quite into it. thankfully the group was polite and no one boo-ed me off stage. They might have even been entertained!
My hosts Gerald Silverstein and Bob Zimmerman were wonderful people, great hosts, and had a beautiful collection.

I hit a few local restaurants, realized how much i LOVE green chiles and adobe structures, i hiked up a bit of a hill, and wandered around old santa fe. What a beautiful town!

 Some other shots from Santa Fe

chiles everywhere! my kinda place

a broader shot of the William and Joseph Gallery

 Sunset in Santa Fe

Adobe!

 Morning Hike on Sun Mountain

 Where I stayed

 Then I headed West to Arizona.

Scottsdale, Arizona!

Next Monday, March 9th, I'll be giving a slide presentation about my work in Scottsdale, AZ.


Here's the info from the AZ Glass Alliance newsletter.

Arizona Glass Alliance

Presentation by Sean Hennessey

March 9

7:30 PM at Stonegate Clubhouse

11551 E. Mountain View Road

On Monday evening, March 9, at 7:30 PM, Arizona Glass Alliance will proudly sponsor a presentation by Sean Hennessey, one of the leading young artists currently working in glass (and other materials).  Those of you who were on the trip last year to Washington will remember we met Sean, and saw some of his work, at our visit to the Washington Glass School.  Sean is one of the most original and inventive young artists in the glass world today, and his work has been recognized at SOFA and he’s represented in several major collections, both public and private.  Sean is a leading member of the “glass secessionist” movement, which focuses on the next generation of using glass in art, often in combination with other materials, in a way which emphasizes content and narrative as well as craftsmanship and form.

As Sean describes his work:  “The heart of my work is an examination and a suggestion of our identity in a world that places us in a struggle for harmony between our spirituality and our corporeality. My works contain messages of obstacles and of hope, of seeking and of enlightenment. I aim to create works that inspire and remind us of wonders and mysteries we have lost.  My work is a mixed and multimedia combination of glass, concrete, photography, drawing, light, video, paint, found objects, wood and steel. I primarily create wall relief sculptures that are representation and narrative. There is a feel of the past, but with materials and techniques of today.”

An image of one of Sean’s works is shown below, and to see and learn more about him take a look at his website, www.dcsean.com.  You’ll find Sean to be a very interesting and entertaining guy, one whose work is on the short list of people to watch.  The presentation will be held at our normal venue, the Stonegate clubhouse, which is at 11551 E. Mountain View Road in Scottsdale, beginning at 7:30.  For reservations please email fredschomer@cox.net.

Artist's Studio Space Available in Mount Rainier, MD

Otis Street Arts Project is a new art studio space in Mount Rainier, MD. 

Located within the Artists by the Tracks section of Mount Rainier, Otis Street Arts Project offer 10 studios for Artists working in a variety of media. Concrete Floors, Loading Docks, Tall Ceilings, Utility Sink, and a community of professional artists are part of what Otis Street Arts Project has to offer.  There will be space for small and experimental exhibition, performances, guest artist presentations, and group discussions. 

Studios are $400/ month and includes utilities.

Shoot us an email otisstreetartsproject@gmail.com. We’ll show you the space, and the available studios. We are aiming for an April 1st move-in date.

See out Facebook page for more information

https://www.facebook.com/otisstreetarts

The Next Few Months!

I’ve got a huge couple of months coming up.

I just shipped off some work to Circle 6 Gallery in Phoenix for a group show with some fantastic artists working in glass. and organized by one of my favorite artists, Jason Chakravarty.

http://www.circle6studios.com/

I doing a presentation at the William and Joseph Gallery in Santa Fe on March 7

http://www.thewilliamandjosephgallery.com/

Then driving to Scottsdale, Arizona to speak to the Arizona Glass Alliance on March 9th

Then I’m off to visit some friends in Sedona, and visit Flux Gallery

http://www.fluxgallerywest.com/

If you can think of anything I should see in Santa Fe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Jerome, Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon, or somewhere along the roads in between, please let me know!

I’m also then in San Francisco for almost a week for a wedding. I’ll have a bit of free time, so if you’ve there and have time to meet up, give me a shout. Also, other than Ai Wei Wei at Alcatraz, anything else going on I should see?

When I get back, I’ll finally move into Otis Street Arts Project, and for the first time in a year and a half, actually have the space to really dive into working again! I’m not even sure how i’ve made any work this past year, my space has been so limited (apologies to all my studio mates.. it’s rather embarrassing)

Anyway, then I’m off to an opening at Morgan Contemporary in Pittsburgh, PA for their Teapot Invitational A city and gallery that i love!

Then one of my favorite shows of the year, the International Glass Invitational at Habatat Galleries in Michigan. This place does it like no other. 

Then back to the DMV to get ready for a huge blow out open studio on May 9th! This will be part of the regular Gateway Arts District Open Studio’s but we’ll knock it up a bit. I’ll share more details later.

Exhibitions in 2015

Heres a rundown of some of my exhibitions/projects for 2015 so far. 


JANUARY
ArtDC Gallery
I've shown at the ArtDC Gallery a few times. It's run by the DC area artist and arts promoter Jesse Cohen. I met Jesse years ago after he had started artdc.org a web discussion forum and gallery that brought hundreds of DC artists together. I'm still friends with many of the artists I met through that site. ArtDC gallery is in the heart of the arts district in Hyattsville, Maryland, just up the street from my studio. I was fortunate enough to receive the Bowling Pin of Excellence at the the gallery. the PBOE award is just one of the many, fun, creative, and zany projects orchestrated by the super genius and uncategorizable artist Roger Cutler.

#WeTweetArt 3.0
ArtDC Gallery
Saturday January 24th 6-9 PM
5710 Baltimore Avenue
Hyattsville, MD





FEBRUARY

21st Century Glass Exhibition

I was invited to participate in this exhibit by Steve Durow. A masterful mindful sculptor of glass and steel. check out Steve's work. I think its great. Tim Tate and I went out to Salisbury University last year to give a talk and demo in their Art Department. Steve has really developed a strong sculpture and glass program. 
It's always an honor to exhibit
when someone you respects requests your work. And it's always an honor to exhibit work at a university for students to hopefully be inspired to move forward. 

Opening: February 20th

Salisbury University
109 Fulton Hall

Salisbury, MD

MARCH
Glass Exhibit in Phoenix
I was invited by my friend and awesome glass artist Jason Chakravarty to exhibit with a number of artists in Phoenix. Jason's absolutely a cool guy and I really love his work, so it sounds like a great opportunity. I'll also be out in Phoenix at the same time giving a talk to the Arizona Glass Alliance. Fun!  I knew of Jason's work from various exhibits and such, but met him in person a few years back at Duncan McClennan Gallery in St Petersburg Florida. He was exhibiting and doing a demo with another great artist and guy Eoin Breadon. It's really warming how connected the glass world is. If you're in the Phoenix area, please come check this out. 

Opening March 1
March 1- May 29
Circle 6 Gallery
1424 East Virginia Avenue
Phoenix, AZ





APRIL

Teapots Invitational


The Teapot Exhibit at Morgan Contemporary is a pretty famous annual exhibit in my circle. A fun assortment of teapots and interpretations of teapots. And it's in Pittsburgh, a city I LOVE. I definitely have a thing for rustbelt cities. and Pittsburgh is great. Churchworks Brewery, The Mattress Factory, The Andy Warhol Museum, and of course, the awesome Pittsburgh Glass Center. 
I met Amy Morgan, owner of the gallery at SOFA Chicago last year and was invited to participate after she saw my work. Pretty Exciting!

Opening April 4th

Morgan Contemporary Glass

5833 Ellsworth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA

Habatat International Invitational

I'm very excited to again be participating in this crazy fantastic show. If you like art made with glass, this is about the best exhibit I can think of. A wonderful and large gallery filled with glass art made by some of the best artists in the world. AND I'M SHOWING THERE! WHAAAAAAT? I know. It's crazy. This is the same gallery that took me to SOFA Chicago last year. They are also the reason I'll be heading to Santa Fe and Scottsdale this year. Maybe they'll also choose me to go to some other art fairs........ hint hint....... ahem.... hint. This is such a special opening because the festivities are over days, not just an evening with cheese and wine. This gallery DOES IT UP! They organize tours of collectors homes, dinners, and do a wonderful job of creating a gathering of artists, gallarists, and collectors, letting of of us get to know one another.  

43rd Habatat International Invitational.
Vip Preview Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 23-24-25 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Grand Opening 8:00 onSaturday April 25th 
VIP Available
Habatat Gallery
4400 Fernlee Avenue
Royal Oak, MI

MAY
Rhythms of Glass










I was invited to participate in this glass survey exhibition by the fabulous artist Liz Mears. It's a pleasure to exhibit in SW Virginia also. I went to high school in that region and began my professional career down in that neck of the woods at the Barter Theatre.  I exhibited in Blacksburg one time, a loooong ass time ago. and a few times in Abingdon Virginia, including the Virginia Highlands Festival. Plus i'll get to go visit the Floyd Country Store

Opening: May 30, 2015.
May 30 to July 25, 2015
Jacksonville Art Center
220 Parkway Lane South, Floyd, VA
Floyd, Va



Other things in the work:

- A collaboration with Dan Van Hoozer, a great mind and great friend, with whom I worked on one of my favorite pieces ever, The Tree Project. We're hoping to put together a piece on love and time in Durham, North Carolina later this year. 

- The Otis Street Arts Project. big big news for me. Lots of stuff to say about this. Many posts forthcoming. Check us out on the facebook.

- I'm hoping to have some work exhibited in Asheville, NC this summer during an annual glass collectors tour. 

- A 2-person exhibit with Laurie Brown at the Washington Glass School.

- An exhibition at the Cafritz Foundation Center in Silver Spring in the fall. Curated by Claudia Rousseau, Ph. D.

- A presentation in Santa Fe to the New Mexico Glass Alliance


- I hope to once again have my work at SOFA Chicago.

- If there's a way, I'd love to have my work down in Miami for Art Basel Week. 

I hope to see you at some of my events. If we've never met, introduce yourself!
And if you have fantastic opportunities, want to commission a piece, want to own a piece, or just want to give me money to help me continue to exist, give me a holler.


May you all have a wonderful 2015!

Throwback Thursday. A piece from 2005

From a Certain Point of View
15x25.5
mixed media
2005
Sean Hennessey

















This comes from a series of work that I was creating in 2005, 10 years ago! This piece is in the Wilson Building Collection, The Washington, DC City Hall art collection.

2014/2015

Happy 2015 Everyone!

Last year was an absolute rollercoaster for me. I bounced around in a few different housing situations, some couch surfing, a tiny bed i didn't actually fit in, and a bit of house sitting. Seeking an apartment in Washington, DC was demoralizing and at the end, pretty much impossible for me. I mostly lived out of my suitcase. I travelled quite a bit. A few trips to San Francisco. 3 or 4 trips to NYC. Detroit. Chicago. Durham. St Augustine. The Outer Banks. Miami. Toronto. Buffalo. Tons of cool places. a bit of work a bit of pleasure. I made and exhibited art. I was in Art Wynwood, and Sofa Chicago. I had a solo show with the best works I've ever created.  I spoke in front of audiences and had a fairly good professional year. But mostly, I was dealing with the fallout of a change in my life made in 2013. I struggled with the end of a marriage, giving up my pets, and losing my house, leaving my neighborhood. Certainly friends and family helped keep my head above water. It helped to separate out for me those that care and those that don't. Many things became clearer in my relationships with others. It was my best year. And my worst year. Bizarre how that can fall into place together. Life is more complicated than describable.  The untangling of things is painful and freeing. I felt both broken and refurbished.


But that's behind me now.
For 2015, I look forward to exciting things.

For starters, I'm moving to Baltimore, Maryland. I was able to get an apartment in an artist building in the Greenmount West neighborhood of Baltimore. I'm very excited to be in a new, but very familiar city, and still close enough to DC where so many of my friends are. The Station North area is full of artists, and Baltimore is a city i've always loved but only know the surface of. My first solo show was in Baltimore! 






Another big thing! With my friend David Mordini, I'm starting Otis Street Arts Project.

I'll have a lot to say about Otis Street Arts Project, as there will be a lot going on with it. but that's to come. we'll start up in February, we hope.  It's in Mount Rainier, MD, just next door to my current studio The Washington Glass School is. It will be in the old Red Dirt Studios space as they move to their new and permanent home in an old fire station.
Anyway, if you have any inclination to help support Otis Street Arts Project financially, we could really use the help, so give me a shout and we'll talk.

Other things going on for me in 2015:
I'll be speaking to a group from the New Mexico Glass Alliance in Santa Fe, NM.
On the same trip, I'll be exhibiting in Phoenix, Arizona and talking to the Arizona Glass Alliance

I have upcoming exhibitions at Salisbury University in Maryland, The Washington Glass School, Habatat Galleries in Michigan, Morgan Contemporary in Pittsburgh, and the Jacksonville Arts Center in Virginia.
Dates and more info and all upcoming events can be seen in the right hand margin.

I'm looking forward to lining up some other projects and hope to travel to Europe and Africa this year as well. *fingers crossed*

My hope is to work toward more exhibitions, find galleries that will take me to art fairs, create public art works, and do more private and commercial commissions.

I think it will be an action packed year.

As always, if you would like a piece a my work or know of great opportunities, please get in touch!

may you have a wonderful year.

Otis Street Arts Project

Wanted: Artists needing space.

Otis Street Arts Project

Sean Hennessey and David Mordini are pleased to announce Otis Street Arts Project. This new initiative will serve as artist studios and a creative incubator for those interested in a dynamic, supportive, and community oriented work environment of professional artists. Situated among other group studios in a light industrial space, including a glass studio, ceramics studios, painters and public artists.

We aim to create an active space open to visitors, guest artists, collaborations, critiques, interactions, and other events.

The space consists of subdivided empty studio areas roughly 11' x 11' with 9.5' ceilings. There is a bathroom, community area, slop sink, and exhibition space that will be used to showcase rotating exhibitions.

The studio has a loading dock and parking.
It is located in Mount Rainier, MD, just over the DC line.

Studios are $400/month each and will be available in February, though the exact move in date is still a bit tentative.

If interested please contact otisstreetartsproject@gmail.com
Include you contact info, website, and give us a sense of what kind of work you want to do in the space.

Please share if you know artists in the DMV that might be interested.

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