Three Hundred and Sixty Degrees:
The Spherical Mile
April 4th- May 30th, 2009

Exhibition Description: Three Hundred and Sixty Degrees, the Spherical Mile, is the first gallery exhibition of its kind, completely dedicated to objects in the round. It is a cornucopia of leading artists working in this format. Using the glass sphere as their canvas, each artist offers something unique. With concepts ranging from floral to predator skins, from anatomy to the planets, you'll be sure to discover things you'd never expect to find in a "marble". The Greek Philosopher Pythagoras realized in the 6th century B.C. that the Earth and planets must be round since the most harmonious geometric solid form is the sphere. In this exhibition, each artist has captured a harmonic cord within this splendid shape.

ARTIST STATEMENT(S):

“With the World Marbles, I decided to come back from the far reaches of space and reflect on are home planet. It became apparent that with the Earth's Ecosystem in such disarray, a realistic image of our planet that everyone could hold in their hands might have some impact." -Geoffrey Beetem

“My goal is to explore the ways radically different designs and techniques can be used within a well-defined category such as spheres. The sphere, with its minimal physicality, has become the one factor unifying all my explorations of color systems and diverse historical glass techniques.” – Mark Matthews

EXHIBITING ARTISTS:

Josh Simpson (Shelburne, MA) http://www.joshsimpson.com/
Mark Matthews (Archbold, OH) http://www.markmatthewsglass.com/
Mark Payton (Louisville, KY) http://www.paytonflameworks.com
Geoffrey Beetem (Ohio)
Shane Caswell (Pennsylvania)
Dan Grumbling
Kris Parke (Ohio)
Ro Purser
Douglas Sweet and Paulette Hall (Lowell, OH)

EXHIBITION DATES

Marble Tournament: Saturday, May 23rd. Registration begins at 10am, the tournament begins at 11am. Prizes. Open to all ages. Free.

Marble Madness Tour: Saturdays in April & May at 11a, 1p, 3p Our regularly scheduled guided tours will offer an added, special look into contemporary glass marbles. Guided Tours offered at 11p, 1p, & 3pm. Cost: $6.50 adults, $5.50 seniors, $4.50 students. Call 502.992.3270 for more info.

RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS:
1-Day Hot Glass Paperweight Workshop Using hot, molten glass from the furnace, learn to make a one-of-a-kind paperweight. Different color techniques and applications will be explored in this session. All tools and glass are included. No experience required. Class minimum is 4. Call 502.992.3270 to register. Class time and date is Sunday, May 31st from 12-5. Instructor: McKinley Moore. Cost: $175

Two-Day Marble-Making Workshop
This class is designed to give students a basic overview of the wonders of flameworking. Students will learn to make marbles by heating and manipulating glass rods/tubes with a blowtorch. Not only will students explore a variety of techniques and tool usage, but will also learn about safety and equipment. Students begin using clear borosilicate glass and will then learn color applications to finish their marble. No experience required. Class minimum is 4. Call 502.992.3270 to register. Course is offered April 18th & 19th (10:30-3:30 Sat. & 11:30-3:30 Sun.) & May 16th & 17th (10:30-3:30 Sat. & 11:30-3:30 Sun.) Instructor: Mark Payton. Cost: $250

Make Your Own “Light bulb” Paperweight (offered every Saturday in April & May) Transform an ordinary light bulb into a beautiful work of art. Using crushed bits of glass called frit, we’ll fill up a light bulb and fuse the bits into a lovely paperweight. You can choose as few or as many colors of frit as you like to make something dazzling that will brighten even the most disorganized of desks! No previous glass experience is necessary. Paperweights will be completed in one afternoon but will require a night in the kiln. Your piece will be finished and ready for pick up no later than a week after the workshop. Call 502.992.3270 to register. Cost: $55.