JAMES VELLA – THE SECOND "ARTIST IN RESIDENCE"

James Vella (38) is the second artist of international class that the Eisch Glassfactory succeeded to win for the project "Artist in Residence" (A.I.R.) that started in spring 2005. James Vella, a native of Denver, Colorado, was educated at Hastings College in Nebraska and since then is creating glass sculptures for more than fifteen years now that are strongly reflected from classic Venetian style techniques of glass blowing.

At his own glass studio "Vella Vetro" in New Orleans he is experimenting with large sized installations for public and private clients in cooperation with leading American designers. His work is featured in galleries across the U.S.A., including Atlanta, Houston, Minneapolis, Nebraska, New Orleans, New York and Seattle. He has taught glass sculpture classes in Penland, North Carolina and at the Red Deer College in Alberta, Canada, and has been on staff at Pilchuck Glass School in Washington State, an international educational glass facility as well as at Bild-Werk, Frauenau.

James Vella is following Jack Ink as the second "Artist in Residence".

Within the scope of this "Artist in Residence" project the "resident" artist has access to all techniqual and artistic services at the Eisch glass factory. This project offers possibilities for internationally known glass artists to realize their ideas with the traditional material glass within a certain period. The Eisch glass factory is getting new creative ideas for their own production through this commitment as well as effecting the entire glass producing region of the Bavarian Forest.

In the Eisch glass factory James Vella has blown extravagant table decorations and drinking vessels in glass, inspired by magnificent Baroque paintings.



You can see these opulent art pieces by visiting the present exhibition:

DELIGHTS OF THE TABLE
Pomp and Cheers!

Opening reception: Saturday, September 24^th, 2005 at 05.30 pm
Gallery at the Museum, Frauenau

James Vellas studio and home in New Orleans has been heavily damaged by the hurrican "Katrina" on August 28^th, 2005. Nevertheless he will attend the Opening reception.

Duration of the exhibition: September 24^th 2005 to March 4^th, 2006
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 5:30 pm, Saturday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Or on request/appointment
Closed: November 7^th – December 12^th 2005