Past and Future:
Eric Hopkins-: August 2008
Emily Leonard-paintings: Sept 2008
Martin Kremer-Glass: Oct 2008
Ben Coombs-Glass: Nov 2008
Tracy Johnson-jewelry: Dec 2008
Benjamin Lambert-ceramic sculpture: Jan 2009
Hyde, Travis & Yoo-landscapes: Feb 2009
Arthur Fink-photography: Feb 2009
Casco Bay Woodsculptors: March 2009
Gallery Artists: July 2009

June 5 - 28, 2009
Hours (as of June 5) 10 am – 5 pm Thurs - Sat

DANIEL KANY GALLERY OPENS AT PORTLAND GLASSBLOWING STUDIO EXHIBITION - GLASSMASTERS - OPENS ON FIRST FRIDAY JUNE 5

Public Reception for First Friday Art Walk, June 5, 5 - 8 pm
There will be live glassblowing demonstrations during the opening reception.

The Daniel Kany Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of the first exhibition in the new gallery space at the Portland Glassblowing Studio in Portland, Maine's Munjoy Hill. The Portland Glassblowing houses the studio of glass artist Ben Coombs. Coombs will be giving glassblowing demonstrations during the exhibition opening on June 5th – the First Friday Art Walk.

The Daniel Kany Gallery’s June exhibition, Glass Masters, will feature works by Coombs and other gallery artists from Maine, across the country and around the world, including: Rockland artist Richard Remsen, Japan’s Hiroshi Yamano, Italy's Massimiliano Schiavon, Portland's Nicholas Repenning, and major artists from across the country including Alex Gabriel Bernstein, Gregory Grenon, Randy Walker, Martin Kremer, and Sonja Blomdahl.

While Kany represents more than a dozen painters and photographers and shows other fine craft media such as clay and wood, the gallery features and is primarily focused on works by major glass artists. "Some people see this as a contemporary art gallery that features glass while others think of it as a glass gallery that also shows contemporary art. Frankly," admits Kany, "I don’t see any clear boundaries between art and craft or even between the different mediums – it’s all contemporary art to me. People are interested in art for different reasons – and for every reason, there is a different point of view. We show what we think is strong and compelling work. We don't try to force the public to see it in any specific way. There is no wrong way to appreciate art."

The Daniel Kany Gallery's lease ended in March so the gallery left its Exchange Street space (now occupied by Auccocisco Gallery). Kany explains the move: "The idea of moving in with a glassblowing studio was a no-brainer since glass is what we do above all else. It will make for a very different experience. The Exchange Street space was handsome, even swanky, but now people will be able to come to the gallery to see art and watch glass art being made. I think people are going to love being able to see the work and get a feel for how it is made."

Ben Coombs worked at the Pilchuck Glass School and at the most significant glassblowing studio in Seattle – Benjamin Moore, Inc. Coombs has worked with many of the world's most significant glass artists, including Moore, Dante Marioni, and Richard Royal to name a few. "Coombs is not only incredibly experienced," notes Kany, "but he has an unusually broad set of technical abilities: I have worked with many of the top glassblowers in the world and I do not know of another who uses as broad a range of techniques and approaches in his work as Coombs."

After the opening on June 5th, the gallery and Coombs's glassblowing studio will be open to the public Thursday – Saturday from 10 am to 5pm.

For more information and publication-quality images, please contact Daniel Kany.