Engaging the Minnesota community in the study and appreciation of glass arts while expanding the potential of the medium.
News
New Foci MCGA Board of Directors
On July 14th, 2010, we held the first Foci/MCGA Member Meeting. There were 30 members that attended and voted for a new Board of Directors. Our new board will consist of Michael Boyd, Rudy Gomez, David Royce, Jackson Schwartz, Lucinda Silvis, Randall Strand and Andrew Thompson.
Thank you to our initial board and all of your hard work!
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Foci MCGA has teamed up with Make-A-Wish Foundation once again. Foci Artists Michael Boyd and Todd Cameron worked with a 15-year-old boy on April 10th, who had just returned from his Wish Trip to Sydney, Australia and was inspired by the Sydney Opera House. Using some photographs of the unique structure, they designed a glass sculpture that will be sold at the 2010 Wish Ball at the new Target Field. Proceeds from Wish Ball go to grant even more Wishes.
Non-Profit Status
In the summer of 2009, Foci Glass applied for 5013C status to become a non-profit organization. On Dec. 24th, 2009 we received our long awaited gift! Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts is now an official non-profit and will be pursuing grants to fund residencies, fellowships, exhibitions and expanded programming in the upcoming years.
Glass Art Documentary
Click on "My Glass Odyssey" below to view an extended trailer for
glass artist John Waterman's upcoming film...
Glass Artist's Appreciation Party
During the party on August 29th, there was a silent auction, which raised $2,800 for Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts! There were numerous glassblowing demonstrations throughout the day, including one by Robinson Scott. He used a metal form to create his piece, using the same techniques which will be demonstrated in the Using Metal Forms workshop on September 19th.
Michael Boyd & Danielle Kieffer addressed the party goers in the Sculpture Grotto with information about the transition to non-profit status and
visions for the future of Foci MCGA.
There were also over 40 people that made the commitment to Foci MCGA membership! If you are interested in becoming a member, e-mail us for more information or stop by the studio to register.
Thank you to everyone that came to the party and for your generous donations!
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Michael Boyd donated a vase to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which he and a Make-A-Wish child had designed together. It raised $6,250 at The 2009 Wish Ball,
in turn helping grant over 3,000 wishes.
Art-A-Whirl 2009
There was a great turn out for this years Art-A-Whirl. The glass instrument performance with Douglas Ewart, Donald Washington, Steve Goldstein and dancer Roxanne Wallace was fascinating to watch.
Foci organized the second Regional Glass Artists Show, exhibited at the Thorp Building this year. We also had a Foci Staff Show at the Northrup King Building. Hundreds of people walked through admiring all the glass art.
Many artists did glassblowing demonstrations throughout the weekend at our studio. Thank you for joining us for Art-A-Whirl!
Finding Minnesota & Foci Glass
Foci artist Todd Cameron is featured on WCCO's Finding Minnesota with Mike Binkley as he makes a vase for the American Craft Council Show that was held in St. Paul April 17-19th, 2009. Watch the video segment...
A group of Brownie's from Eagan came into the studio on April 16th to learn about glass blowing and got to watch Michael start out by making a glass horse. They were amazed when they saw a gather of glass be blown out like a balloon!
University of Minnesota Archaeology Project
Michael Boyd and a few U students examine glass shards from as old as 200 AD! He has been helping them on class projects, including making samples of various glass vessels that would have been made over 1800 years ago.
Michael Boyd and Todd Cameron visit Eugene Glass School
In January, Michael and Todd flew out to Oregon to attend a workshop featuring world renowned glass artist Pino Signoretto.
To view some of the demo sculptures that were created by Pino during the workshop...
Foci participates in Northrup King Building Art Attack 2008 Foci was thrilled to be the curator of an all glass show at the Northrup King Building for its recent Art Attack open studio event held on November 8th and 9th, 2008.
The Foci show featured a stunning collection of blown and fused glass by 13 local glass artists. We hope to present similar events in the future, be sure to check back for upcoming shows and events!
Scott Schneweis from Metro Magazine Visits the Studio Check out his story and video...
John Waterman's Blog A traveling glassblower that wanders the world stopped at our studio on November 27th, 2006 and stuck around until December 4th . He chronicled his stay in his blog and you can view the story, numerous photos and a short video of Michael Boyd assisting Andy Thompson while Andy performs his coil-build technique...
