Posted on August 23, 2017
Nancy with “Twin Galaxies”
Artist have to keep growing. I’m a big believer in pushing myself to try new techniques and create new forms. Sometimes I fail, but those failures often form a basis for further experiments.
Last year, I had a residency at STARworks in Star, NC. While there I decided to focus on making slumped panels, using a traditional technique for making sheets of glass: blowing a large cylinder, cutting it lengthwise, and slumping it flat in a kiln. Of course, I added patterns to make it more interesting! The best way I can describe this process is making a drawing that you don’t really get to see until it comes out of the kiln. I loved it! I was hooked.
To create, finish, and display these pieces, I have acquired a host of new tools, skills, and friends. Jim Flanagan at Fremont Antique Glass Company helped me with some early experiments, and the team at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma has helped me experiment with the best way to do the slumping. Karsten Oaks cuts and polishes the edges and helps me with surface issues. I’ve learned more about glues, cleats, and gravity than you’d believe…. the hard way. And I just bought a new kiln, so that I can take the process to completion in-house! It’s been an awesome year and I’m so grateful to all who have helped me on this path, including Sarah Traver and Traver Gallery in Seattle for exhibiting my first major work in the series, “Quilt”, during my 2016 solo exhibition.
This fall I will show new wall panels at SOFA Chicago with the Duane Reed Gallery, including “Twin Galaxies” pictured here.
Hope to see some of you there!
Posted on March 26, 2017
I’m looking forward to some sunshine in lovely St. Petersburg soon! This will be my second show at Duncan McClellan Gallery. They have a wonderful indoor / outdoor space that shows glass beautifully, and their hot shop means that I can do some demonstrations as well! I’ve made a number of new pieces for the show, including some new “Orbs”, “Palomas”, and “Droplets” with an emphasis on color for the Florida collectors. See you all soon!
Joie de Vivre: New Work by Nancy Callan
April 8 – 29, 2017
Duncan McClellan Gallery
2342 Emerson Avenue South
St. Petersburg FL 33712
1-855-436-4527
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-5pm
Visit DMG Website
Opening Reception
Saturday April 8 from 5-10pm
Glassblowing demonstration begins @ 6:15pm
Jazz concert with Henry Ashwood Jazz Project from 8-10pm.
Art Glass Afternoon: Demonstration at DMG
Sunday April 9 @ Noon
Hot Gatherings / Cool Conversations
Lecture by Nancy Callan
The Museum of Fine Arts
St. Petersburg, FL
Sunday April 9 @ 3 p.m.
http://mfastpete.org/event/hot-gatherings-cool-conversations-nancy-callan/
Posted on December 8, 2016
I am excited to be working at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA next week! The fantastic MOG team will assist me in making some new work in the hot shop.
Saturday, December 17 will be dedicated to my semi- annual Snowman Blow. It’s all hands on deck as we assemble life-size blown glass Snowmen on the pipe! Artist Talk Sunday December 18 at 2 p.m.
MOG has a fantastic livestream if you can’t visit in person: http://museumofglass.org/glassmaking/live-from-the-hot-shop
But I hope that you can!
Artist in Residence: Nancy Callan
December 14 – 18, 2016
Museum of Glass
1801 Dock Street, Tacoma, WA 98402
http://museumofglass.org/
Posted on October 18, 2016
Gallery View, October 2016
I am pleased to share my newest work at Traver Gallery in Seattle through October 29, 2016.
“From Here to Infinity” refers to both my journey as an artist and to the infinite complexity and variation I find in glass. My latest works evoke the micro-world of cells and microscopic life and the macro-view of vast space and time as described in physics. I am also pushing into new territory with a large black-and-white wall piece, “Quilt”, that sums up my explorations in pattern to date.
A catalogue with essay by Diane Wright, Barry Curator of Glass at the Chrysler Museum, is available on request. Contact sarah@travergallery.com for a copy. I hope you can see the show in person!
Many thanks to Joe Benvenuto, Benjamin Cobb, Alix Cannon, Karston Oaks, Dave Walters, The Museum of Glass, STAR Glassworks, and all the students, artists, and collectors whose support assisted me in the creation of this show.
“Droplets”, “Quilt”, and “Orbs”
Posted on August 8, 2016
As part of Glass Weekend 2016, Richard Royal and myself spent a day blowing glass for an appreciative audience at the Hoogs & Crawford studio in Canaan, NY. Many thanks to Nathan and Liz, owners of the studio, for all their support and assistance. Thanks also to Jen Violette for coming down from Vermont to help us and to all the collectors who attended Glass Weekend!
Hoogs & Crawford glass studio in Canaan, NY
It was a pleasure to work with Rich Royal for the first time!
Cathy and Fred, proud owners of the demo cloud!
Posted on August 8, 2016
I was thrilled to be featured at Glass Weekend 2016 at Schantz Galleries in Stockbridge, MA. Jim & Kim Schantz and their hardworking staff put together this fun event every summer and it is always a treat for both the artists and collectors. This year was extra special with an added event, “The Nature of Glass” at Chesterwood, the historic home and studio of Daniel Chester French. This nearby museum has beautiful grounds and views of the surrounding valley. I created a special installation for the woodland setting of Orbs and Winkles.
“Julia’s Garden”, my installation at Chesterwood.
On the beautiful Chesterwood grounds with Laurie Feinberg.
Rich Royal, Nancy, Kim & Jim Schantz celebrate a successful Glass Weekend.
Dear friends Joan and Rif in the Schantz Gallery.
Posted on December 30, 2015
One day of my recent residency at the Museum of Glass was devoted to making life-size glass Snowmen. It’s becoming an annual tradition at MOG! Enjoy the photos of some very hot snowmen.
Ben Cobb at the marver with a really big incalmo.
Nancy Callan assisted by Alix Cannon and Sarah Gilbert.
Every Snowman needs a nose.
The awesome Snowman Blow team: Nancy, Courtney, Alix, Ben, Walter, and Sarah.
Nancy completes the striped snowman! Assisted by Courtney Branam.
Posted on December 30, 2015
Enjoy these photos from my recent residency at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA!
At the bench with a new sculpture. Also pictured: Benjamin Cobb and Sarah Gilbert.
A Winkle takes shape. Also pictured: Granite Calimpong and Benjamin Cobb.
Pinocchio on the pipe. Assisted by Benjamin Cobb.
At work on Pinocchio sculpture with the Museum of Glass team.
Posted on December 3, 2015
December 16 – 20, 2015
Artist Lecture: Sunday, December 20 at 2 p.m.
Museum of Glass
1801 Dock Street
Tacoma, WA 98402
http://museumofglass.org
Watch Nancy work on blown glass sculptures with the assistance of the MOG team. Plus: life-size glass Snowmen by Nancy Callan on view in the Lobby!
