SEPTEMBER 4, ST. JOSEPH, MI. - Krasl Art Center (KAC) welcomes new exhibitions to the galleries on September 4 - November 29. This fall, explore in-person and virtual ways to get involved with the exhibition Artists as Influencers: Pathways in Glass, including chances to meet and work with Netflix’s Blown Away contestant, Edgar Valentine.
Edgar Valentine was introduced to the art of glassblowing at the age of 12 through the Hilltop Artists program in Tacoma, Washington. A year later he was hired onto their production team. Valentine has been practicing and studying his craft around the US, and still works at Tacoma Glassblowing Studio since 2017. He has gathered knowledge from his favorite artists to create and express his own style, and telling his stories through his work. Valentine was the youngest competitor featured on the Netflix series.
“Glass art came into my life at a young age. I was 12 years old when I took my first class through the Hilltop Artist program. As a 7th grader, I had no clue how far this lifestyle would take me. My first advanced glass sculpting class was in 2011, and that was when I truly fell in love with the medium. I have always loved creating with my hands. I developed such a deep connection with the material when I was in high school attending Tacoma School of The Arts. To this day, glass art is more than just my passion. It's my life.”
The exhibition at KAC, Artists as Influencers: Pathways in Glass, features a personally selected roster of 14 artists by guest curator and founder of Water Street Glassworks (WSG), Jerry Catania. Catania’s impact on education and the arts in this region was immense. It was his desire to demonstrate the value of mentorship within the glass community and its significance to the evolution of contemporary glass art through this exhibition.
Krasl Art Center members and the public have multiple ways to engage with Edgar on his visit to Berrien County. To renew your KAC membership and gain access to all of the events, visit krasl.org:
KAC SPECIAL EVENT WITH PARTICIPATING ARTIST EDGAR VALENTINE
FEATURED ON THE NETFLIX SERIES BLOWN AWAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
Advance registration at krasl.org/education/adult/classes
Join participating artist Edgar Valentine and KAC Curator Tami Miller for an intimate introduction to Artists as Influencers and Valentine’s artwork. Virtual and in-person tour formats are available:
KAC Member’s Virtual Gallery Tour
5 - 5:30 PM
FREE on Zoom for KAC Members, Registration Required
In-person Gallery Tours
6 PM, 6:45 PM, and 7:30 PM
$15, Registration Required (open to non-KAC members)
In-person Glass Demo at Water Street Glassworks
8:30 - 9:30PM
140 Water St, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
FREE
Edgar Valentine, one of the 14 participating artists in KAC’s exhibition, will be demonstrating his glassblowing techniques at Water Street Glassworks as part of the events scheduled for the exhibit. WSG is excited to welcome him to their studio and provide the community an opportunity to watch him work!
Media are invited to attend the in-person glass demo at Water Street Glassworks. Email WSG Marketing Director Donna Sauers at [email protected] for further details.
Media are also invited to Krasl Art Center’s events with advanced notice. Email KAC Marketing Manager Matthew Bizoe at [email protected] for more details.
