Emerge/Evolve 2018: Rising Talents in Kiln-Glass is on view August 23, 2019 – January 12, 2020

Bellevue, WA—A selection of works from Emerge/Evolve 2018, Bullseye Project’s most recent international biennial of rising talent in kiln-glass (or kilnformed glass), will travel to Bellevue Arts Museum in August, 2019. Bullseye Glass Company started the Emerge competition eighteen years ago in order to support and promote the vision of artists working in kiln-glass. 

Emerge 2018 is the tenth in Bullseye's biennial series of exhibitions and is the third to be featured at Bellevue Arts Museum after Emerge/Evolve 2014 and Emerge/Evolve 2016. The 43 finalists—representing 12 countries—were evaluated on their creativity, craftsmanship, and design by a panel of three jurors. Emerge/Evolve 2018 at Bellevue Arts Museum will feature award winners from the Emerge 2018 competition alongside new works from former Emerge finalists, showcasing the evolution of their talent.

The exhibition is accompanied by a full-color catalog featuring artist statements and biographies, interviews with the Emerge 2018 jurors, and an introduction by Director of Bullseye Projects, Lani McGregor.

What is kiln-glass?
In glassblowing, the artist works quickly to inflate the glass by means of a blowpipe, shaping the glass by rotating the pipe, swinging it, and controlling the temperature of the piece while he or she blows. In contrast, kilnforming uses a kiln to bind and shape layers or particles (frit) of glass. Kilnforming methods include fusing, slumping, kilncasting, and other kiln related techniques in which control over the glass medium and the conditions of its manipulation are equally tantamount. Pushing the limits of different kilnforming techniques, the selected artists showcase their skill for creating a diversity of objects with unexpected textures and forms. Their work challenges the possibilities of the medium while encouraging further growth in the field.

Emerge/Evolve 2018 at BAM features:

EVOLVE ARTISTS

EMERGE 2018 AWARD WINNERS

EMERGE 2018 FINALISTS

Emerge/Evolve 2018: Rising Talents in Kiln-Glass is organized by Bullseye Glass Company in Portland, Oregon and juried by Benedict Heywood, ​Heidi Schwegler, and Diane Wright . The local presentation of this exhibition is curated by Michael Endo, independent curator. In-kind support from Seattle SignShop.

ABOUT BULLSEYE GLASS COMPANY
Bullseye Glass is a factory in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1974 by three recent art school graduates, the organization promotes glass art around the world through its initiatives, which include developing new methods of glass fabrication, hand-fabricating colored glass for artists and architects, facilitating research and education in the field, and hosting collaborative artist residencies. Bullseye Projects is part of Bullseye Glass Company, supporting makers of all ages to expand their creativity through glass. bullseyeglass.com

ABOUT BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM
Bellevue Arts Museum provides a public forum for the community to contemplate, appreciate, and discuss visual culture. We work with audiences, artists, makers, and designers to understand our shared experience of the world. bellevuearts.org.

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