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Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

JPM Joel Philip Myers

To view examples of JPM Myers work at Blenko Glass. Check out www.blenkoproject.org or the Blenko Collectors four, Blenko Collectors Society or Blenko Museum. hjh
One Blog Reader NOW describes her self as LUCKY - she bought a BLENKO VASE that was Signed by WH BLENKO and also had the JPM 2965 marked on the glass, she wrote to ask what the JPM meant? We don't know how many BLENKO items JPM signed - thats a question the Blenko Collectors Society maybe able to answer, (another reason to join the BCS) but I can tell you the JPM isn't an everyday occurrence. Below is info provided by WEBMASTER STEVE about Joel Philip Myers.

Photo of Joel Philip Myers with Matt Carter (another former BLENKO GLASS Designer). Photo is from Matt Carter's file.

Joel Philip Myers (born 1934; resides Ording, Denmark)
Joel Philip Myers graduated with honors from the Department of Advertising Design at Parsons School of Design in 1954. After spending a year studying ceramic design in Copenhagen, Denmark, Myers earned both a B.F.A. and an M.F.A. from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, NY. From 1963 to 1970, Myers served as Director of Design at Blenko Company, in Milton, WV. From 1970 to 1997, he served as Distinguished Professor of Art at Illinois State University, Normal, IL. Myers has an extensive list of students who went on to establish themselves as noteworthy artists. Like Harvey Littleton, Joel Myers also possesses an encyclopedic list of awards and honors, solo and group exhibits, collectors, and publications. Awards and honors range from Honorary Life Member of the Glass Art Society to Fellow of the American Crafts Council, and Fellowship recipient from the National Endowment for the Arts. Among his innumerable exhibits are Joel Philip Myers & David Huchthausen (former student and assistant), Contemporary Art Niki Gallery, Tokyo, Japan, 1994; Joel Philip Myers, which traveled in Europe under the auspices of the Glasmuseum in Ebeltoft, Denmark, 1993; Joel Philip Myers and Students, Galerie L in Hamburg, 1991; and History of American Glass, co-organized by Corning and the Toledo Museum of Art, and exhibited at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, among other major venues. Collectors range from The Art Institute of Chicago, to The Museum of Decorative Art, Prague, Australian Crafts Council, and Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, Japan. Myers’ work is characterized by exquisite craftsmanship and an extraordinarily strong sense of formal design. Joel Myers is ften cited as the most 'successful' of the BLENKO designers.

12 comments:

WV Janis said...

BLENKO VISITOR'S CENTER

In an earlier post, someone mentioned the non-Blenko items in the visitors' center. Those items have been added recently. At first, someone wanted to sell glass earrings. Mr. Blenko told me they sold really well. I was kind of shocked to see star fish hand blown in Canada. Then, I decided that they are a business and people who stop (it is a destination), often bring other family members and the BLENKO-obsessed can linger a little longer if there is something for everybody at the store. So, perhaps earrings and other non-BLENKO trinkets are "a good thing."

Yes, the visitors' center is small but they pack a LOT of glass in the place. Also, if you knew you were coming and had a date, likely, you could be sure that they had an item available for you there.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

WV Janis

P.S. I just gave my girlfriend my large, Ebony concentric circle bowl. I'm missing it already. She'll put it to good use, first, with Halloween candy and then with glass fruit!

She is driving to Milton tomorrow to shop at the visitors' center and to see the covered bridge. I sure hope that the visitors' center is still open from 12-4 on Sundays (as advertised on website). If not, Hillary, I'll need some personal phone numbers of SOMEBODY in Milton who can let her into the visitors' center. Am anxious to get her reaction.

Heart of Glass said...

Blenko is open on Sundays.
If they were not, believe someone would come to your aide, its that kinda company. Blenko Glass is very customer friendly and always there ready to help!
About the other items in the VC I for one enjoy the jewelry and the Xmas ornaments, and Ron Hinkles items, and the Marbles, not everyone can afford to drive all over WV to visit other glass artist.
Blenko does make an effort to showcase only handcrafted items.

Anonymous said...

Still waiting for the pix of fruit and veggies.

susan said...

Do you understand how very famous Joel P Myers is
he is the founder of the glass arts movement in the US.

Anonymous said...

I was a little surprised tp see the non-Blenko items at first, too. But for someone not that interested in, or able to afford, Blenko, at least they are still able to purchase something.
I have met the Canadian artist of Kitrass Glass, at a show here in Michigan, very much like the Blenko crew. A good fit of ideals. I bought a brown Kitrass maple leaf at the Glass Festival to display with my Blenko pumpkin, gourd, apple and pottery gourd. A very nice group for fall. Still working with new camera or I would send a photo.
WVjanis-my veggies are traditional colors. Also, lots of "amberina" lately.
Car Girl
Car Girl

Dr.BOB said...

Sending you a photos of Myers item we purchased last year in Chicago. Not inexpensive, small, full of color and a bit odd in shape.

Anonymous said...

CAR GIRL
I ALWAYS LIKE IT WHEN YOU WRITE.
TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE CANDIAN ARTIST WHERE IN BLENKO DO I FIND HER THINGS?
I STARTED COLLECTING THE VEGETABLES AND FRUITS THE YEAR, NOT MANY ON EBAY AND I CAN'T GET Ms HILLARY TO UPLOAD PHOTOS OF HER COLLECTION FOR ME.
MOUNTAIN RITA

sweetdoc said...

Add Matt Carter to the list of
very hot designers. Hilary I am betting you like JPM? Right?

sweetdoc said...

Janis
They stopped making ebony before I discovered HJH and Blenko.
I have purchased 4 pieces but I am afraid to bring this to the office, so I have Blenko pumpkins and Blenko vegetables as a part of the office decoration but large Black platter and bowls would be outta sight! Visually perfect.
Bring back the ebony, can you do this Hilary?

Anonymous said...

WVJanis, When I was at the VC in August, the Kitras items were mixed in with the vases. They also had hanging discs and balls. Mr. Kitras, the designer, is located in Fergus, Ontario. About an hour north and west of Toronto, off 401 towards the US. Toronto is about a 7 hour drive from me, have been going there for many years. Have not found any Blenko in Ontario yet, but I keep looking.
I'm looking for an ebony vase, but not a top hat style. Didn't know they had made bowls.
Car Girl

Anonymous said...

I have an old JPM piece from the 1970's. I bought it from a collector way back who needed the money.It's about 14" long x 4" thick-boat shape with a dark brown & bright orange desert style design. It also has a hole in the middle of the piece that one could almost use as a candle holders(not me) looking for info. Sorry about email,just left hospital with a stroke.Thanks

Heart of Glass said...

Send a photo to theblenkoproject@aol.com and we'll see if someone can provide you with information.
HJH