Opening Reception: Saturday, November 15, 4 - 7 pm
Exhibition Runs: November 15, 2008 - February 8, 2009
TACOMA, November 15, 2008 - Vetri International Glass in Tacoma is
pleased to present a special exhibition showcasing the work of three
promising young artists from the Hilltop Artists in Residence Tacoma
(HART) program. The show will be on display from November 15, 2008 -
February 8, 2009, with an opening reception on Saturday, November 15
from 4 - 7 pm.
Vetri International Glass and the Hilltop Artists in Residence have
teamed up to provide the Hilltop students an experience with the
business side of the art world -- a subject often overlooked in arts
education programs. After meeting with gallery representatives
Sarah Traver and Rosie Daniel, the students were asked to send
portfolios to the gallery proposing an exhibition of their work, an
intimidating process for artists at any stage in their career.
Trenton Quiocho, Gnoulim Ninhnapah, and Jake Merritt, who work
together as glassblowers on the HART production team, were selected
to be featured in this season's exhibition.
Trenton Quiocho came to the program at the age of fifteen. Now
seventeen he has assisted the glassblowing team at the Museum of
Glass in Tacoma, WA, competed in the annual Twisty Cup Pro Am
competition at M Space, and become a member of the production team
at HART. Inspired by his father's love of fixing old volkeswagons,
Quiocho embraces the focus and care it takes to be a skilled
glassblower and successful artist. He says of glassblowing,
"...it's not what you can make but what you can fix." His work
incorporates bold color combinations and sleek forms referencing the
classic style of the Italian masters.
Self-proclaimed "beader" Gnoulim Ninhnapah is the first flameworker
from HART to be featured at Vetri. Her beautiful, highly detailed
glass beads exhibit her uniquely sensitive approach. After watching
her older brother complete the Hilltop program, Ninhnapah was drawn
to working with glass and exploring its possiblities within the
medium. Seeing glass as a canvas, she strives to create each of her
beads with a sense of wonder and grace. A student at HART since age
thirteen, Ninhnapah has worked on several important commissions and
participated in technical demonstrations at the Museum of Glass and
the Indianapolis Children's Museum of Art.
The third artist exhibiting at Vetri is Jake Merritt, a recent
graduate who has worked in glass for the past year. Merritt found
an anchor for his passion in the arts and excelled in the program.
Now on the production team at HART as well as two reputable Tacoma
glass studios -- M Space and Tacoma Glassblowing Studio -- he has
all but completely filled his time with glass. His enthusiasm is
apparent in his constant drive to learn, experiment, and push
himself as an artist. Merritt's pieces are characterized by his use
of simple, refined forms to emphasize the intricate cane design
consistent in his work.
Images:
Artists from left to right:
Trenton Quiocho
Gnoulim Ninhnapah
Jake Merritt
Artworks row from left to right:
Cylinder, Trenton Quiocho, 2008, $80
Necklace, Gnoulim Ninhnapah, 2008, $65
Vase, Jake Merritt, 2008, $110
About HART:
Established in 1994, Hilltop Artists in Residence Tacoma is a glass
arts program that provides individualized instruction for students
who may be struggling academically, socially and/or behaviorally.
Through the program, young people have an opportunity to learn the
art of glass blowing, mosaics, fused glass and beadwork. Hilltop
reaches out to disadvantaged, disenfranchised youth who are dealing
with high risk factors: poverty, neglect, homelessness, substance
abuse, and violence.
About Vetri:
William Traver opened Vetri International Glass more than ten years
ago with the intention of making the abundance of innovative, high
quality glass work being done in the Seattle area available to a
broad audience.
Dedicated to supporting artists early in their careers, Vetri
features one-of-a-kind work by emerging artists, while also offering
a great selection of gifts and functional objects. Vetri artists
are selected based on their technical ability, the originality of
their designs, and their passion for art and for glass. Many of them
go on to show at the respected Traver Gallery, launching their
careers on a national level. Vetri opened its Tacoma location in the
historic Albers Mill building on the Thea Foss Waterway nearly 5
years ago, just outside the Museum of Glass.
Vetri International Glass |
www.vetriglass.com | (253) 383-3692 |
1821 E. Dock Street #101 | Tacoma | WA | 98402
