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RELEASED: Nov. 4, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—The Centre art program will present two public glass-blowing demonstrations by visiting glass artist James Mongrain from Washington state.
Considered to be one of America's finest goblet makers, Mongrain's demonstrations will take place Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the hot glass studio in the Jones Visual Arts Center.
"Inspired by the Venetian tradition of goblet making, I strive for a level of precision that unites traditional elegance with contemporary flair," Mongrain says.
At the beginning of his career, Mongrain worked in hot shops around the country, including New York, Cincinnati and New Orleans, where he focused his attention on becoming technically proficient in the Venetian tradition of goblet making. This aesthetic continues to interest Mongrain as he recently crafted a series of Veronese vases that take a traditional Italian form.
In 1993, he met internationally renowned glass artist and mentor Dale Chihuly, who has also presented at Centre. Two years later, Chihuly invited Mongrain to move to Seattle to work for Chihuly Inc. as a gaffer for the "Chihuly over Venice" installation. The project took Mongrain to glass factories in Ireland, Mexico and France, and it culminated with the installation of 14 chandeliers over the canals and piazza of Venice.
In 1997, Mongrain opened Mongrain Glass Studio in Seattle, which he continues to own and operate in Mukilteo, Wash., today.
Mongrain's work has been exhibited nationwide in galleries as well as the American Craft Museum in New York City.
Mongrain continues to work for Chihuly and other artists on special projects but has focused his attention on designing and crafting Venetian goblets, Veronese vases and a variety of custom works including sculptural chandeliers.
To learn more about Centre's art program, go to http://www.centre.edu/web/academic/majors/art.html.
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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/
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