From May 21st, Vermont Glass Guild members will display their work at an exhibitiion entitled "Modern Alchemy: The Art of Glass," on view at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, Vermont, though July 12, 2016. Though the association of Vermont and glass might bring to mind Simon Pearce's successful artisinal glass- and ceramic-design business operating out of a historic mill in Queechee, Vermont, the fact is that independent studios can be found throughout the "Green Mountain State." Established in 2010, the Vermont Glass Guild seeks to bring together these often far-flung members working in all forms of glass for "mutual support and enrichment."
Among the guild members exhibiting in the show is Robert DuGrenier, who is also a board member of UrbanGlass, which publishes the GLASS Quarterly Hot Sheet. DuGrenier is showing a new series of work he's named “Out of the Ashes,” made up of sculptures he created by incorporating glass into some of the farming implements and antique parts that were left in the wake of a fire at his Townshend, Vermont, barn last October.
Another member of the guild is Nick Kekic, whose father, Thomas Kekic, help build the first glass studio and program for R.I.T. in Rochester, New York. The younger Kekic is the principal at Tsuga Studios, in Chester, Vermont, and prides himself on using traditional techniques to achieve contemporary designs that emphasize pure forms and minimal ornament.
The Vermont Glass Guild is open to any artist working in glass in Vermont. The organization's website www.vermontglassguild.com includes a studio/gallery map and biographies of many of the Vermont Glass Guild artists.
IF YOU GO:
"Modern Alchemy: The Art of Glass" May 21 to July 12, 2016 Opening Reception: May 21st, 5 PM to 7 PM Southern Vermont Arts Center 930 SVAC Dr.Manchester, Vermont Exhibition Website