The upcoming International Flameworking Conference will celebrate excellence in flameworking with the two featured artists – Joyce J. Scott of Baltimore, Md. and Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen of Bow, Wash. – and collaborative group demonstrations spotlighting art and science.
East meets west when Joyce J. Scott of Baltimore, Md. and Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen of Bow, Wash., headline the 2014 International Flameworking Conference (IFC) 28-30 March, at Salem Community College.
The 14th annual event celebrates excellence in flameworking with the two featured artists, and collaborative group demonstrations spotlighting art and science.
The “Queen of Beadwork,” Scott creates exuberant beaded sculptural forms and neckpieces. These provocative pieces address contentious political and social issues such as gender, race and class struggle.
Her artwork is rich in colour and texture, and powerful in imagery.
Scott’s presentation on Friday, 28 March is free and open to the public, beginning at 7 p.m. in SCC’s Sol and Jean Davidow Performing Arts Theatre, Davidow Hall, 460 Hollywood Ave., Carneys Point.
Willenbrink-Johnsen’s unique vision and passion for glass are evident in her work, which has been shown extensively in galleries and museums throughout the world since 1992.
With a natural inclination for adventure, Willenbrink-Johnsen has travelled throughout the world, drawing on diverse environments as inspiration for her work.
Scott and Willenbrink-Johnsen will demonstrate on Saturday, 29 March at the Samuel H. Jones Glass Education Center, in Alloway.
In addition, Dennis Briening, instructional chair of scientific glass technology at Salem Community College, will present a lathe demonstration. A SCC graduate, Briening worked for 26 years at the Hercules Research Center in Wilmington, Del.
The IFC will conclude on Sunday with concurrent, group demonstrations – Celebrating Innovation through Collaboration – led by Marshall Hyde and Mike Souza. Hyde will be joined by Shane Fero, Marc Petrovic and Kari Russell-Pool in a demo titled, “Imagination, Imagery and Inquiry.”
Souza, Tim Drier, Kiva Ford and Sally Prasch will team up to present “Iconic Scientific Glass.” Afterwards, glass artist and SCC instructor Jenna Efrein will moderate a panel discussion on the collaborations.
“The presenters throughout the weekend represent fascinating and diverse backgrounds that will inspire and educate our attendees,” said Chair Paul J. Stankard.
Following the conference, Marshall Hyde will present a master’s class, Designing and Thinking in Glass: Beyond Technique, 31 March – 1 April, at the Glass Education Center.
Sponsored by the SCC Foundation, the IFC is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Sponsors include ABR Imagery; Bethlehem Apparatus Co., Inc.; Carlisle Machine Works, Inc.; Chemglass Life Sciences, LLC; International Society of Glass Beadmakers; Robert M. Minkoff Foundation; SJ Venture Capital Co.; and Wale Apparatus Co. Inc. WheatonArts and Cultural Center will sponsor a gallery of the participating artists’ work at the Glass Education Center.