The Glass Guild will host a Glass Blowout starting at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Art annex on the East side of Highland St. The Blowout will feature the artwork of Katherine Grey, assistant professor of art at California State University at San Bernadino.
“It’s a really good opportunity for us students to get to learn from a professional artist outside of our shop,” said Kristen Elliot, junior art major. “Every time a new artist comes in, we learn a lot from their technique and skills. (Grey is) pretty amazing, what she does. That’s for sure.”
From 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-5 p.m., Grey will demonstrate some glass forming techniques with the help of ESU students who have been working with her since she arrived in Emporia last Monday night.
“You’re really dependent on help,” Grey said. “You are always generally working with at least one assistant. At first, it seemed like that was a liability or made it harder to do what you wanted to do. But, actually, now it’s my favorite part of the whole process because, most of the time, I get to work with people I enjoy spending time with.”
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At 5:30 p.m., there will be a BBQ potluck dinner with live music performed by Elexa Dawson and the K.O. Kitchen, followed by an auction at 7 p.m. The auction will feature donated artwork from local artists and artwork created by Grey during her stay in Emporia, as well as the artwork of others involved in the art department.
“We generally try to have two to three visiting artists a year and, usually, some of the work they make, we will definitely put in the auction,” said Patrick Martin, associate professor of art. “Some faculty members will donate pieces and most of the glass students will also donate some, so there will be works ranging from small cups and vases on up to sculptures.”
Grey has been forming glass for over 20 years and, before becoming involved in glass forming, she was interested in furniture and interior design. Her interest in furniture design led her to explore lights, an interest which eventually led her to glass.
“It’s an amazing material,” Grey said. “It’s not like any other I’ve used. When you work in the hot shop and you’re a glass blower like I am, it’s very technically challenging, which I think is what’s kept me engaged. Other things came easy to me and I got bored with them quickly, but glassblowing, I still find challenging.”
Yesterday, Grey spoke at an Art Forum during which she displayed some of her work. This particular collection is what Grey refers to as her “swiss army table setting” because it is both practical and useful.
When fully assembled, each piece fits into another piece, making it difficult to dissect the purpose of each. But, when taken apart, each separate piece has a specific use. In total, it contains a bowl, a water glass and a decanter. The decanter stopper also functions as a shot glass and a candle holder.
“She’s a nationally and even internationally known artist,” Martin said. “Her work is spectacular. Expert craftsmanship, super detail, just meticulous technique involved with making her work. And yet, when the work is finished, it’s very conceptual and has a lot of ideas that go beyond the glass itself. It’s not just about the object, it’s about the concept behind the object.”
Alex Pedersen/The Bulletin
Amtrak Backs Off Cutback Threat
AP Online April 5, 2002 | LAURENCE ARNOLD, Associated Press Writer 00-00-0000 WASHINGTON (AP) _ Amtrak, citing signs of help from Congress, backed away Friday from its threat to issue notices that would allow it to cut its long-distance train network as early as this fall.
Instead, the railroad sent an update letter about its continuing quest to win $1.2 billion in federal funds for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The letters went to governors of the 46 states Amtrak serves.
Amtrak President George Warrington wrote that he is encouraged by the response of lawmakers. However, he added, “uncertainties associated with the legislative process” mean Amtrak must prepare for the possibility that it will not receive enough money to maintain current service.
He reiterated that the 18 trains in its long-distance network are “at high risk” and said other routes could also be cut if Amtrak’s appropriation is too low.
The 18 trains serve Amtrak’s longest routes and are among its biggest money-losers. Without them, travelers no longer could get on a train in the Northeast and connect all the way to California, or board in Florida and reach the Pacific Northwest.
Amtrak spokesman Bill Schulz said the intent of Warrington’s letter was to warn the governors about Amtrak’s uncertain future _ and the possibility of service cuts _ without creating confusion among prospective travelers that could result from elimination notices. amtrakpromotioncodenow.com amtrak promotion code
Warrington announced Feb. 1 that Amtrak would issue formal notices by March 29, reserving the authority to cut routes when the new fiscal year begins. Amtrak is generally required by law to give 180 days’ notice before it discontinues train service.
But in his letter to the governors, Warrington said such formal notice is not necessary “in circumstances like this, where train service rests on the availability of federal appropriations.” Transportation Department Inspector General Kenneth Mead reported in January that Amtrak lost $1.1 billion in 2001, the most in its 30-year history, and had made no progress toward meeting Congress’ 1997 order to wean itself from annual government operating subsidies by this December.
Since Warrington’s February announcement, Amtrak has made headway in convincing federal officials that the nation’s passenger rail system needs more money.
“My sense is that there’s now a sense of urgency in Congress that wasn’t there before,” said Amtrak Vice Chairman Michael Dukakis, the former governor of Massachusetts.
The Bush administration has proposed $521 million for Amtrak in fiscal year 2003, but Amtrak has received some key backing in its pleas for more money. web site amtrak promotion code
Mead said the railroad cannot maintain current operations with the funding proposed by Bush, the same amount Amtrak received this year. Deputy Transportation Secretary Michael Jackson told Congress it will take $2.5 billion to $3 billion in annual funding for rail “just to keep what we have.” And 28 senators have signed on to a bill by Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-S.C., that would devote $4.6 billion a year for the next five years to Amtrak operations, renovations to Amtrak-owned tracks in the Northeast and development of new high-speed corridors around the country.
A new proposal in the works by House Transportation Committee leaders would authorize $1 billion for Amtrak’s capital and operating expenses next year. Congress also would cover Amtrak’s annual obligation _ about $160 million _ to pay benefits for rail industry retirees.
In exchange, Amtrak would have to begin submitting an annual business plan to the Department of Transportation listing ridership, revenue and expense targets for individual business units and long-distance trains.
A spokesman for House Railroad subcommittee chairman Jack Quinn, R- N.Y., said the bill would buy Congress one more year to come up with a long-term plan for Amtrak and passenger rail.
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LAURENCE ARNOLD, Associated Press Writer
