THE CREATIVE GLASS CENTER OF AMERICA AT WHEATONARTS WELCOMES NEW FELLOWS
MILLVILLE, NJ – The Creative Glass Center of America welcomed three new Fellows in August. The artists will be in residence through October 5 developing and refining techniques towards new or expanded work. They will have unrestricted access to the Glass Studio and materials for creating blown, cast and kiln-formed glass.
Leanne Williams was born in Wellington, New Zealand. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Teaching from Victoria University followed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at Wanganui Polytechnic in 1998. Her painting practice also included mixed media installation work that was exhibited in major public galleries and museums in New Zealand. She also spent three years teaching and lecturing in fine arts.
Jim Dennison was born in Masterton, New Zealand. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology from Victoria University. In 1998 he received a Diploma of Glass Production and Design at Wanganui Polytechnic. While studying Dennison was awarded an “Honorable Mention” at the International Student Exhibition, 31st Glass Art Society Conference Corning. He has been a technical assistant to renowned artists Ann Robinson, Irene Frolic and Warren Langley.
In 2001 Leanne and Jim started their collaboration in glass. Since then their work has been selected for major glass exhibitions in New Zealand, most noticeably, “Southern Exposure 2003-2004,” “Glass Invitational 2005” and “Birds” in 2006. They were the feature artists in the New Zealand survey exhibition for the 2005 Glass Art Society conference in Adelaide. They continue to be at the forefront of contemporary glass in New Zealand and have recently been awarded a Merit in New Zealand’s inaugural National Glass Award 2006. Their work is included in the permanent collection at Glasmuseet Ebeltoft, Denmark and Government House, New Zealand. They are published in New Glass Review 25 and major New Zealand publications, Urbis, New Zealand Architecture and Artzone. Both artists live, work and teach glass in their own collaborative studio in Martinborough, New Zealand.
Valentin Manz was born and raised on a farm in the hills of Bavaria. He moved to London to study at Central St. Martin’s College of Art and earned a master’s degree at the Slade School. Manz creates mechanical sculptures out of metal, glass and found materials. The dominant themes in his work are chaos and schizophrenia in society, which become visible in strong, aggressive forms made with a sense of play. He explores these themes and forms in drawings and paintings, created in series with the machines and static three-dimensional work.
Manz will present a special outdoor demonstration near the lake at WheatonArts on September 28 at 7 p.m. The Fellows will the present a slide show of their work followed by a hot glass demonstration in the Glass Studio, September 28, at 7 p.m. Admission is free for the general public. Light refreshments will be available.
The CGCA has serviced glass artists and the arts community since 1983. Over 230 professional and emerging artists have been recipients of a CGCA fellowship, 185 from the U.S. and over 15 foreign countries.
For more information, call the Creative Glass Center of America at WheatonArts at 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, ext.106, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.
WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Provide two weeks notice for special accommodations. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center receives general operating support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the New Jersey Historical Commission. Additional 2007 funding has been provided by a Cooperative Marketing Grant from the New Jersey Economic Growth Commission/Office of Travel and Tourism, the New Jersey Cultural Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts and numerous corporate, public, foundation and individuals supporters.
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WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities.
Provide two weeks notice for special accommodations. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts
through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.