Bild-Werk Frauenau, the educational hub of glass making in the German-Czech region, has announced the 2015 summer schedule for interdisciplinary courses. Starting in April and May (depending on the course) and running through September, lectures and courses on hot glass, kiln casting, glass engraving and more will be available in the one- to two-and-a-half week classes. This year, the program aims to incorporate a crossover of techniques, especially in hot glass and ceramics. The objective of the experimental learning process is for students to “develop individual artistic potential,” as stated on the school’s website.
Located in the Bavarian forest between Munich and Prague, the school boasts an international list of visiting instructors, all who are practicing artists as well. Boris Shpeizman, a native of the former Soviet Union, studied ceramic and glass design in Israel after he began sculpting during his "quiet years as a dentist," as stated on his website bio. He left Russia to avoid arrest for his activities as an human rights activitist and, after studying at the Bezalel Academy of Art, devoted his time to glassblowing. He will be one of the instructors for hot glass and ceramics.
The short courses will be eight days and the long courses will be 17 days. The surroundings of the institute include the Frauenau Glass Museum as well as glass shops and former glass factories, some of which the classes will take place in. Social events related to the studies will be offered, such as evening illustrated lectures, music and shared meals. For more information on the latest International Summer Academy sessions, visit their website.
A full list of glass art courses:
Long courses / 17 days
Tim Shaw (GB/AU) – Hot Glass
Boris Shpeizman (ISR) - Hot Glass and Ceramics
Wilfried Markus (D) - Lamp-blown Glass
Jay Musler (USA) - Lamp-blown Glass
Karen Akester (GB) - Kiln Casting -
Stephen Paul Day (USA) - Glass and Bronze Casting
Jaroslava Votrubová (CZ) - Glass Engraving
Katharine Coleman (GB) - Glass Engraving
Anna Mlasowsky (D) – Flat Glass
Jeff Zimmer (USA) – Painting & Layering Glass
Short courses / 8 days
Martin Janecký (CZ) – Hot Glass
Ursula Distler (D) - Wound Glass Beads
Max Jacquard (GB) - Kiln Casting
Lászlo Lukácsi (HU) - Glass Sculpture
Nancy Sutcliffe (GB) – Glass Engraving
Penny Somerville (UK) - Stained Glass
Gabi Weiss (D) - Stained Glass
Ursula Merker (D) – Glass Print
Kedron Barrett (USA) – Monotypes from Glass