News
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), in
collaboration with the DC Office of Planning (OP), awarded me the commission
create the significant project that aims to shed light on the often-overlooked
role of over 200 enslaved people whose labor laid the foundation for
one of the most iconic symbols of democracy. My public art concepts
for DC’s memorial honoring the Enslaved People that built the US
Capitol have many steps to go before the mayor’s approval. Fingers
crossed that the project continues moving forward!
This summer, Laurel, MD’s Montpelier Arts Center’s
43rd annual invitational sculpture exhibition showcased my work as well
as the artists of my studio -the Washington Glass School. The exhibit
was presented as about the transformative medium of glass, and the Glass
School was seen as “where boundaries are pushed, and traditions
redefined”.
Excited to announce that my artwork “The Story Within”
has been acquired by the Museum of American Glass for their permanent
collection! Grateful to Henry and Linda Wasserstein for their generous
gift.
Artist Tony Porto and I will have our fun collaborative
pop-art sculpture featured in the New York Affordable Art at Chelsea’s
Metropolitan Pavilion, September 25-29, 2024. Look for our works at
Alida Anderson Art Project space, #B4.
Taiwan’s Biennial International Art Festival will
feature a collaborative cast glass artwork made by Tim Tate and me,
to be shown by Asheville, NC’s Momentum Gallery.
I will be one of the jurors for the Creative Crafts Council’s
35th Exhibition in 2025. Looking forward to being part of this milestone
event!
Am honored that the Lowe Art Museum in Miami, FL has named
me their 2024 “Distinguished Artist”, where I conducted a
presentation of my work at the museum and held workshops at the University
of Miami’s glass studios.
The Washington Post gave a review of DC’s Artomatic
culture event in April of this year. Art critic Mark Jenkins enjoyed
the multimedia arts experience and singled out the glass art for comment,
including using my artwork titled “Waiting for the Moments that
Never Come” as the illustrative work for the show: “Artomatic:
Unpretentious, approachable, convivial” – Review by Mark Jenkins,
Washington Post, April 5, 2024
The James Renwick Alliance (JRA) in Washington, DC honored
my work in Washington, DC’s Artomatic with their “Award of
Excellence”. Previously, the JRA named me as the Distinguished
Artist in 2014. As part of honor, I lectured on my work, techniques
and career at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM).
I was awarded Washington, DC’s 31st Mayor’s
Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts. The DC Commission for the Arts
& Humanities (CAH) has supported my work over the years, and I am
eternally grateful. The CAH has seven of my works in their permanent
collection of art.
American Craft Magazine featured my work in the April/May
2013 issue of the magazine. Titled “Becoming Michael Janis” ,
the article gives an extensive profile of my background and influences.
American Craft Magazine also featured the work of my studio,
Washington Glass School and Studio in the June/July 2013 issue of the
magazine. Titled “Capitol Improvements”, the magazine reviews
the process in our creation of the new cast glass doors for the US Library
of Congress Adams Building.
The U.S. Department of State awarded me a Fulbright Scholarship.
In 2012, I was Fulbright Specialist at the University of Sunderland
and National Glass Centre in the UK. The people, facilities and workshops
there were incredible and will have a tremendous impact on my work.
I’d like to thank the US / UK Fulbright Commission, the Council
for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES) The University of Sunderland,
the City of Sunderland and Creative Cohesion for all their generosity
and assistance in the assignment.