get by water

A true water sign, Al heads for rivers, lakes and oceans to find rest and refreshment.
This lifelong practice shows up in his glass work, especially in recent large forms.
A trio of River Pools, for example, formed the centerpiece of a solo exhibition.
Splash and Sound Wave garnered top awards in group shows.

It’s poetic that Al was commissioned to help create a baptismal font for use at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

To realize their vision of a simple basin evoking water, Al crafted a glass model for approval. The scale of the liturgical space determined that the finished basin should be an expansive two feet across.

Minnesota sculptor John Sterner is commissioned to create a metal base to complete the work.

Although he typically works solo to realize his designs, the challenging size of this piece offered Al the opportunity to assemble a team of skilled and trusted glass artists for the task.

Big thanks are due to Todd Cameron, Derek Hostetler and Ty Pratumwon, along with Emily McBride, Tom Maras and Isaac Theobald, who gathered one summer evening at Minnesota Center for Glass Arts to get the job done! Finished size: 24″ wide and 10″ deep. Mackenzie Serwa took the fantastic in-studio images.

The finished basin:

December 2020

This holiday season, we’re thankful for quite a lot, and for the privilege of getting to know Squire House Gardens in Afton MN when Al placed a mix of vases there. Squire House offers gifts & goods for home & garden, and is a longtime holiday shopping destination.

 

And please support these other great Minnesota galleries this season:

W2, The Grand Hand Gallery, St. Paul MN

Gustaf’s Galleries, Lindstrom MN

Austin ArtWorks, Austin MN

pivot

In the meantime, at Alan Honn Glass:

 

 

 

Sound Wave, first in Al’s current series of hand drums, earned the Visual Arts Committee Award at this year’s ArtReach St. Croix Member Show in Stillwater, MN. ArtReach has done a great job producing events in unusual circumstances this year, maintaining tradition while innovating.

 

 

Al was invited to participate in Cream of the Crop, a virtual Minnesota State Fair art and music experience. The online event provided an opportunity to launch an online store, with an improvised collection shot outside in the sunshine. Photography is next on the to-do list, with a goal of updating the shop progressively. Find it at alanhonnglass.square.site/s/shop

 

MMXX

 

 

 

Alan Honn Glass was at work New Years Day, delivering a piece from a new series to the exhibition Beginnings at artZ in Amery WI. It’s been a pleasure to partner with the team at this cool art space over the last year and a great chance to explore the local scene.

 

———

After many years, Al took the opportunity to return to a favorite form during a January workshop with visiting glass master Rob Stern at Foci – Minnesota Center for Glass Arts.

About the work:

Forever attracted to light, intrigued by sound and its relationship to form and the elusive containment of glass, I began creating drums in 1988, utilizing the full spectrum of energy available through practicing Reiki. I’m very happy to rekindle the making of these forms and am pleased that I was able to increase their size.

 

———

Looking ahead, Al is honored to be included on the roster of fine makers at
60 Artists on 50th
Burroughs Community School; 1601 W 50th Street, Minneapolis MN
April 4, 2020
Details to come, HERE