Bullseye Glass Co. is excited to announce our newest location is opening this spring. Bullseye Resource Center Los Angeles is coming to South Pasadena in late February 2016. For more information, email [email protected].

 
Want to take your kilnforming skills to the next level? Join us for Explore Santa Fe, our intensive week-long workshops led by artists at the forefront of kiln-glass. New workshops for 2016 have just been announced, and enrollment is open.
 
You'll spend part of each day immersed in Santa Fe's splendid natural areas and built environments, with the remainder in the state-of-the-art kilnforming studio at Bullseye Resource Center Santa Fe. During the evenings, students are free to explore the many pleasures of this historic, arts-rich city.
 
Explore Santa Fe with Joanna Manousis (May 3 - 7)
 
Explore Santa Fe with Catharine Newell (June 14 - 18)
 
Explore Santa Fe package also includes:
 
* Lodging, plus breakfast and lunch each day
* All glass and tools needed for studio work
* Field trips to local galleries, museums, and private collections
* Insider tips on interesting shops, galleries and other features many visitors miss
* Evening tour of the art collection at Casa de Asterion (private home of Bullseye Glass owners)
 
For more information, contact Bullseye Glass Resource Center Santa Fe at [email protected] or 505.467.8951.

I had the pleasure of attending Kathleen Mitchell's Opening and Closing Receptions for her first one-woman-show at Planet Rooth Design Haus.  This amazing show highlighted two powerful bodies of work:  Rough Childhood and DISfigured.

Rough Childhood is the sculptural work Kathleen made in response to metaphorical self portraits created by the inmates she works with at Donovan State Prison through Project PAINT.

DISfigured is the visually jarring series she produced after her near fatal accident in her studio last year. DISfigured is an arresting representation of pain and loss, a record of her journey of physical and psychic healing.

The closing reception was an even more personal sharing of the "DISfigured" event.  I continue to be amazed at Kathleen's courage and determination, creativity and continued humor in the face of life's challenges.

     

The recent revelation that shook Bullseye Glass Co., and our longtime AGASC sponsor Uroboros has alarmed the art glass industry and created uncertainty as to the potential outcome. Starting in early February the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality reported that toxic emissions from the factories have been causing air pollution and soil pollution of the toxins cadmium, arsenic and chromium. The toxins were found to be at levels 500 times the recommended safe levels into the community surrounding the factories.  

Bullseye Glass Co. owners Daniel Schwoerer and Lani McGregor were shocked  to find themselves are in the position of defending themselves against attacks from environmentalists and concerned neighbors. Many of their staff and employees and their children live in the area. There is concern on everyone's part, but employees have been supportive. Oregon being an environmentally conscientious state, the report has created anger and civil protests aimed at Bullseye Glass.

Schwoerer was quoted in the Portland Mercury News as having said that the news hit him "like a ton of bricks". He also sympathized with anyone who was angry, scared, and concerned, as he was experiencing all of that himself. For the past 20 years, Bullseye has worked with the very agency (Oregon Department of Environmental Quality or DES) that brought these revelations to light. Bullseye has complied willingly with the required environmental criteria for the state of Oregon, for a company of their size. Twice a year they received certifications from the DES that they were in compliance.

Both Bullseye and Uroboros have halted production of the colors of glass that utilize cadmium, arsenic, and chromium which covers a LOT of colors!! The cadmium used in glass produces reds and yellows,  chromium the greens. Paul Tarlow of Austin, TX  has been posting updates on Facebook. I don't know his relationship to Bullseye, but he seems to be on the ball as to developments. He has listed the glasses that have been affected to date...approximately 50 of their line of colored sheet glass, frit, and powders. The suspension of these colors has caused panic buying of red and yellow glass! Bullseye has attempted to manage the situation by limiting the amount of sheets, etc in one order.

There are ways to implement controls of these toxins and larger glass producers are required to use them. Once the State and the glass manufacturers are clear on what must be done, I believe we will see the companies implement these measures at any expense. Until then we can let them know how much we appreciate them and continue to support them as usual.
Included here are some links to a few of the stories coming from this developing story.

Most of my sources for this article are from the Facebook posts from Lani McGregor and Paul Tarlow, as well as the coverage of the events in Portland by the The Portland Mercury news and the Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB.org) stories. In addition, Bullseye Glass has published information on their website:  http://www.bullseyeglass.com/news-releases.html

http://www.opb.org/artsandlife/article/latest-developments-in-bullseye-and-uroboros-glass-emissions/
http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2016/02/03/arsenic-cadmium-levels-near-two-se-portland-schools-are-alarmingly-high-state-finds
http://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2016/02/20/portland-glass-makers-fluorine-use-deserves-scrutiny-experts-say    AND on Feb 19 this is posted on Paul's page:
http://www.deq.state.or.us/nwr/docs/metalsem/QAAirToxicsFeb19.pdf