New generation of glass artists make their debut

Hilltop students featured in exhibition at Vetri International Glass

TACOMA, March 28, 2008 - Vetri International Glass in Tacoma is pleased to present a special exhibition showcasing the work of Marcus Martinez and Dylan Betz, two talented young artists from the Hilltop Artists in Residence Tacoma (HART) program. The show will be on display from April 12 - August 10, with an opening reception on Saturday, April 12 from 5 - 8 pm.

The exhibition is a result of a newly developed collaboration between Vetri and Hilltop, designed to provide experience with the business side of the art world for Hilltop students - a subject often overlooked in arts education programs. Since HART s mission is to use glass to connect young people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to better futures, it makes sense to provide students with guidance on how to move into the professional realm with their work, if that is what they envision for themselves.

Gallery representatives Sarah Traver and Rosie Daniel recently met with Hilltop students to discuss their artwork and provide some basic information about how galleries and artists typically work together. Students were then asked to send portfolios to the gallery proposing an exhibition of their work, an intimidating process for artists at any stage in their career.

Marcus and Dylan, who are both glassblowers on the HART production team - and among the most advanced students in the program - were selected to be featured in the first of a series of three exhibitions planned for this year.

Marcus Valentine Martinez recently graduated from Wilson High School in Tacoma. His love for glass is evident: in addition to working as a member of the production team, he is a teaching assistant for glassblowing, flameworking and fusing classes at Hilltop. Marcus has been involved with glass for six years, and feels his experience with HART has helped mold him into the artist he is today. He puts his heart into each piece he makes, and strives to create work with a palpable energy to it.

Dylan Betz is a senior at Tacoma School of Arts. He started blowing glass with Hilltop when he was 12, and has been a member of the production team since 2005. Dylan has completed internships in the education department at the Tacoma Art Museum and in the hot shop at the Museum of Glass, where he assisted professional glassblowers and learned about “hustle and punctuality.” Dylan refers to the work included in the exhibition as “experiments in line,” and keeps the forms of his pieces simple in order to highlight the lines that decorate them.

About HART:

Established in 1994, Hilltop Artists in Residence Tacoma is a glass arts program that provides individualized instruction for students who may be struggling academically, socially and/or behaviorally. Through the program, young people have an opportunity to learn the art of glass blowing, mosaics, fused glass and beadwork. Hilltop reaches out to disadvantaged, disenfranchised youth who are dealing with high risk factors: poverty, neglect, homelessness, substance abuse, and violence.

About Vetri:

William Traver opened Vetri International Glass more than ten years ago with the intention of making the abundance of innovative, high quality glass work being done in the Seattle area available to a broad audience.

Dedicated to supporting artists early in their careers, Vetri features one-of-a-kind work by emerging artists, while also offering a great selection of gifts and functional objects. Vetri artists are selected based on their technical ability, the originality of their designs, and their passion for art and for glass. Many of them go on to show at the respected Traver Gallery, launching their careers on a national level. Vetri opened its Tacoma location in the historic Albers Mill building on the Thea Foss Waterway nearly 5 years ago, just outside the Museum of Glass.

Vetri International Glass in Tacoma is open Tuesday 9 - 5, Wednesday - Saturday 10 - 6 and Sunday 12 - 5. For more information please call (253) 383-3692 or visit www.vetriglass.com.

Hilltop Artists in Residence
Using Glass Art to Connect Young People
from Diverse Cultural and Economic Backgrounds to Better Futures