“A Gathering of Glass”

“A Gathering of Glass” exhibit features new works by three regional artists

Contact: Mika Morton | ArtsEast
541-962-3629 | mika@artseast.org

July 9, 2015

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The group exhibition “A Gathering of Glass” is currently on display at the Art Center at the Old Library through July 31. 

The show features new works by three regional glass artists: Tom Dimond, of Cove, Kevin Boylan, of La Grande, and Andy Nichols, of The Dalles.

Kevin Boylan was born and raised in Walla Walla. He was introduced to ceramics at a young age and studied clay at Walla Walla Community College. During a gallery reception where his work was on display, Boylan was recruited by Tom Dimond to visit the art department at Eastern Oregon University. Boylan transferred to EOU in the fall of 2000 to study art full time. During his last year at EOU, he served as studio assistant and technician for both Doug Kaigler and Dimond in the sculpture and ceramics department. In the spring of 2003, Boylan was introduced to the world of glass as an art medium. Together with Dimond, they built all the tools and equipment necessary for fusing, casting and blowing glass in Cove. To further his passion for glass, Boylan enrolled in summer classes at the renowned Pilchuck Glass School in Washington in 2007, and has since been invited back to join their staff as the hot shop technician.

Tom Dimond operates Dimond Art Glass, a glass blowing studio in the foothills of Cove. He was formerly a professor of art at EOU for over 30 years and was instrumental in founding their glass program. His most recent works is a series of vases that are reminiscent of the Art Nouveau movement of the 1900s. The forms are experimental and their surfaces have been iridized. The process of fuming the glass before it is annealed embellishes the patterns and color of the work, resulting in an iridescent quality much like the wings of a butterfly.

Nichols Art Glass, founded in 2001 in The Dalles, began with a dream and a garage. Founder Andy Nichols dabbled in different art media until he found his niche in glass blowing. He took several classes, built his own equipment and set out to teach himself the art of blowing glass. Soon he was able to leave his career of 20 years in the restaurant business and pursue his interest full time. Today Nichols Art Glass is a 2,700 square foot studio and gallery filled with beautiful and unique blown glass pieces. Nichols approaches his craft in a non-traditional manner. Striving to challenge the boundaries with every piece and maximize his individual capacities and style. Nichols Art Glass supplies to numerous galleries throughout the Northwest. In addition, several larger installations may be found in regional hotels and lodges.

For more information about the exhibit or about ArtsEast and the Art Center, contact ArtsEast at 541-962-3629 or the Art Center at 541-624-2800. The Art Center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

About ArtsEast: Since its founding in 1977 as a 501 (c) 3, ArtsEast has inspired interest and participation in the arts across eastern Oregon. Based on the Eastern Oregon University campus in La Grande, ArtsEast provides arts learning opportunities in regional schools through its Artist-in-Residence programs and oversees the Community School for the Arts program, which hosts private music lessons for children and adults, the Community Symphonic Band, the Community African Drumming group, the Union County Children’s Choir and the Grande Ronde Community Choir.

More recently, ArtsEast has expanded its services through a merger with the Art Center at the Old Library located at 1006 Penn Avenue in La Grande.  The Art Center operates an on-site community-based arts and culture education program for children and adults. ArtsEast’s efforts are supported in part by its members, and local and regional foundations. For more information, visit www.artseast.org or call 541-962-3629. For more information about art classes and programs offered at the Art Center, call 541-624-2800 or visit artcenterlagrande.org.