Events
April 18, 2009
The Great Glass Auction 2009
|
Local and nationally-recognized glass artists were awarded top honors for achievement at the Bay Area Glass Institute's Eighth Annual 2009 Great Glass Auction, on April 18, 2009, in San Jose, California. Over 120 people attended this popular event, including many of the contributing artists whose work was represented.
The evening was highlighted by the presentation of the 2009 Saxe Fellowship award, honoring outstanding technical ability and achievement in glass chosen in a juried competition to the Seattle, Washington-based artist team of Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman, for their free-hand blown and sculpted glass work, "Liberation." In addition, the 2009 People's Choice award, selected by auction attendees, went to California-based artist, Mary B. White, for her piece constructed of recycled glass, recycled steel and copper, "Looking for Light and Lightness, Above Fault Lines." White was also a winner of the Juror's Award at the 2007 Great Glass Auction. This year's Juror's Award, noted for outstanding craftsmanship and achievement in glass went to California-based artist, Michelle Knox, for her sandblasted sheet glass and steel piece, "Susurration of a City Scape." In its ongoing commitment to encourage artists to develop their work and receive educational training, BAGI presented a new award this year, the BAGI Glass Art Education Scholarship. The 2009 award went to California-based artist, Jaime Guerrero, for his hand blown and sculpted glass piece, "Phantom." Guerrero, the 2006 recipient of the Saxe Fellowship Award, will receive $3,000 in tuition and/or fees to attend the glass education program of his choice. |
This year's Saxe Fellowship award winners were chosen by a jury consisting of Margery Aronson, a well-known and respected curator from Seattle, Washington and JoAnn Edwards, Executive Director of the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design; San Francisco, and world renowned collector, Dorothy Saxe, of San Francisco. As the winners of this award, Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman received a $2,000 cash prize and a funded invitation to participate in BAGI's Visiting Artists Series. The People's Choice award winner, Mary B. White, was given a $1,000 cash award.
A crucial fundraiser for BAGI, this year's auction raised over $100,000 and will provide a quarter of BAGI's operating budget for 2009. Auction proceeds will be used to help fund the Visiting Artists Series planned for 2009, a SJSU scholarship for a student to attend each of BAGI's Visiting Artist Series master classes, new equipment and continuing operations, as well as expanded offerings for classes, studio time, and key local events including the popular Third Thursday Series and home tours of local glass patrons and collectors. "A shaky economy did not dampen enthusiasm at this year’s Auction and preview event and we're very pleased with the public and patron response. We certainly appreciate the ongoing support that will help BAGI provide artistic and educational programs to both our members and the community," said Steven Aldrich, 2009 auction co-chair. "We would like to also extend our deep appreciation to this year's esteemed jury in selecting Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman as winners of the 2009 Saxe Fellowship award as well as this year’s Juror's Award's and BAGI Glass Art Education Scholarship winners. And, we also thank our auction attendees for recognizing local artist Mary B. White by awarding her the People's Choice award," he added. Share This
|