Past and Future:
Eric Hopkins-: August 2008
Emily Leonard-paintings: Sept 2008
Martin Kremer-Glass: Oct 2008
Ben Coombs-Glass: Nov 2008
Tracy Johnson-jewelry: Dec 2008
Benjamin Lambert-ceramic sculpture: Jan 2009
Hyde, Travis & Yoo-landscapes: Feb 2009
Arthur Fink-photography: Feb 2009
Casco Bay Woodsculptors: March 2009
Glassmasters: June 2009
Seascapes & Vessels: August 2009

July 3 - August 3, 2009
Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Thurs - Sat

A HOUSE OF GLASS & MIRTH (various artists)

Public Reception for First Friday Art Walk, July 3, 5 - 8 pm
There will be live glassblowing demonstrations during the opening reception.

The Daniel Kany Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of a group exhibition, "A House of Glass & Mirth," in the new gallery space at the Portland Glassblowing Studio at 24 Romasco Lane – behind the Nissen factory a block from Washington/Cumberland Aves. The Portland Glassblowing Studio houses the hot shop of glass artist Ben Coombs who will be giving glassblowing demonstrations during the exhibition opening on July 3th during the First Friday Art Walk.

The exhibition will feature works by a cross-section of the gallery's artists, including glass sculptures by Pittsfield artist Alyssa Oxley, Vermont's Jen Violette, New York fused glass artist Martin Kremer, the New York-based Vietnamese sculptor Trinh Nguyen and Ben Coombs. Also featured will be paintings by Oregon reverse-glass painter Gregory Grenon, Portland's Roy Germon, and Montana encaustic painter, Shawna Moore.

The exhibition, "A House of Glass & Mirth," has at its core the somewhat subtle curatorial message of constancy among the seemingly disparate works of art presented by the gallery. According to Kany: "A painting by Gregory Grenon, for example, is made of wood, glass, metal and oil paint – the same materials as a glass sculpture by Jen Violette. A glass sculpture made using the lost wax method stands next to an encaustic painting –an ancient wax technique. Object-qualities, craftsmanship, the blurred lines between painting, sculpture and fine craft – these are variables by which you can consider any work of art in this gallery, including what might appear in other galleries as the most straightforward, old-school painting. These works display a certain playfulness; maybe not jokes per se, but a flow of wit and a sense of joyous celebration that cannot be denied."

To be sure, the fact that the Daniel Kany Gallery has moved to a glass studio where works are made changes how all of the work in the gallery is seen – not just the glass art. The setting highlights the technical aspects of the work but also the overall use of the idea of technique as it pertains to the content of the work as contemporary art – or craft.

At the gallery, visitors can watch glass artists at work. Portland glassblower Ben Coombs will be working with several assistants and colleagues during the First Friday Art Walk. "Watching people blow glass is amazing at any time. Seeing them work during an opening somehow takes on the feel of an artistic performance during a First Friday Art Walk," notes Kany. "Anyone can come watch whenever we are open, but when there is an opening with music, wine and conversation, people seem to feel particularly welcome to settle in and watch the artists work and the pieces develop. It’s not like anything else."

For more information and publication-quality images, please contact Daniel Kany.