Mosaic Arts International 2013 opens January 26th

Contact:  Gwyn Kaitis
815-919-2576
gkaitis@americanmosaics.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 (downloadable pdf of press release)

Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington

Mosaic Arts International Exhibition at the Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA
January 26 – May 5, 2013

January 14, 2013- The Society of American Mosaic Artists’ (SAMA) annual juried member’s exhibition, Mosaic Arts International, is being held at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, January 26-May 5, 2013.  The exhibit features the carefully selected work of 46 artists from seven countries and significantly is the first exhibition devoted to mosaic art ever curated by the Museum of Glass.  The museum is noted for its distinctive architecture, and collection of 20^th and 21^st century glass art along with changing exhibitions.  A spectacular pedestrian walkway features three installations of colorful glass created by Tacoma’s native son, Dale Chihuly.

The exhibition offers a rare and enriching opportunity to experience, in person, the unique texture and diversity of the best of contemporary mosaic art, an art form that is so rich and compelling that it is often difficult to capture the full essence in a photograph.  Artists continue to push the envelope through the use of both traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques.

Judges for the exhibition were:  Jordan Howland, Seattle, Washington, USA, where she manages Public Art projects for King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Department of Transportation, and Department of Executive Services; Pamela Irving, Melbourne, Australia, Vice President of the Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand, an internationally recognized artist whose career has produced a broad spectrum of work in sculpture, ceramics, painting and mosaics; and Matteo Randi, Chicago, Illinois, USA, born in Ravenna, Italy, a widely exhibited and award winning mosaicist who received his training at the Istituto d’Arte and the National School for the Conservation of Mosaics, and who currently serves as Educational Director of the Chicago Mosaic School.

“This juried exhibition provides a unique opportunity to view outstanding examples of mosaic art from around the world within a single venue, illustrating the exciting ways that artists are utilizing this ancient art form with a modern and contemporary approach,” said Shug Jones, President of the SAMA Board of Trustees.  “These artists are using both traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques to really propel the art form to a degree unseen in recent history.”

In addition to the juried works, the exhibit will include  the work of Japan’s premier mosaic artist, Toyoharu
Kii, who is also the keynote speaker at the annual SAMA Conference in Tacoma, April 10-13, 2013. Mr. Kii exhibits his work internationally and has participated in some of the most prestigious mosaic arts exhibitions in Europe and the Soviet Union. “His work is notable for its quietness, subdued color, and textural intricacy. It exemplifies the beauty and powerful language of the best of contemporary mosaic art.” said Karen Ami, 2013 SAMA Exhibition Committee Chair and President Emeritas.

Toyoharu Kii, “Spring”, SAMA 2013 Keynote Presenter

Toyoharu Kii, “Round and Fertile Forest” SAMA 2013 Keynote Presenter

Toyoharu Kii, “Interrupted Sequence”

Awards were given in several categories for notable work in the exhibition:

Best in Show:  Gary Drostle for “Entwined Histories”, 2012

Gary Drostle, “Entwined Histories” 2013 Mosaic Arts International Best in Show Award Winner. 10′ H x 3′ W x 3′ D. 2012 (installation location: Geoff Cade Way, London, UK)

Gary Drostle, “Entwined Histories” Mosaic Arts International 2013 Best in Show

Gary Drostle, “Entwined Histories” detail

Innovation in Mosaics:  Erin Pankratz-Smith for “Penance”, 2012

This award is for work that encourages experimentation and challenges the definition of mosaic art.

Erin Pankratz-Smith, “Penance”. MAI 2013 Innovation in Mosaics Award.

Erin Pankratz-Smith, “Penance” detailErin Pankratz-Smith, “Penance” detail

Juror’s Choice; Jordan Howland:  Lynne Chinn for “Arabesque”

“Lynne Chinn’s Arabesque, which received my Juror’s Choice Award, challenges the physical boundaries of the medium while demonstrating an accord of form, color, and light. It is organic, elegant, and, to me, emotionally resonant.” ~ Jordan Howland, 2013 Mosaic Arts International Juror

Lynne Chinn, “Arabesque” MAI 2013 Juror’s Choice: Jordan Howland

Lynne Chinn, “Arabesque” MAI 2013 Juror’s Choice: Jordan Howland

Juror’s Choice; Pamela Irving:  Jim Bachor for “Fresh Meat Series”, 2012

“For me, Jim Bachor’s “Fresh Meat Series” is the most successful in this exhibition. Reminiscent of Herakleitos’ Unswept Floor mosaic, 2nd BCE, this work is located in a contemporary context and time. It tells a 21st Century story yet harks back to our ancient mosaic traditions. It tick’s all the boxes for me. The Work is smart – it takes an idea and turns it into contemporary mosaic art. Intelligent works like this will take mosaics into the art history books of the future.” ~ Pamela Irving, 2013 Mosaic Arts International Juror

Jim Bachor “Fresh Meat Series” MAI 2013 Juror’s Choice: Pamela Irving

Jim Bachor “Fresh Meat Series” detail

Juror’s Choice; Matteo Randi:  Brooks Tower for “Via”

“The piece I have chosen for my Juror’s choice selection is by Brooks Tower. In this work, even though I am looking at a mosaic without any tesserae I am receiving love and passion put together with a very fine technique and materials. The image moves my feelings with Spensieratezza – as if I am riding that bicycle in the mosaic myself.” ~ Matteo Randi, 2013 Mosaic Arts International Juror

Brooks Tower, “Via” MAI 2013 Juror’s Choice: Matteo Randi

Brooks Tower, “Via” detail

The Society of American Mosaic Artists, a non-profit organization of over 1,200 members, is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and promoting excellence in mosaic arts.  SAMA is the largest mosaic art organization in the world, including mosaic artists, collectors, materials suppliers, and art educators.  More information about SAMA can be found at www.americanmosaics.org.

More information about the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA can be found at www.museumofglass.org.