Dick Weiss stained glass art installed at Shorewood High School

Bird and Beak
Artist Dick Weiss

Two stained glass artworks (one on north wall, one on south) totaling 160 square feet were installed at Shorewood High School this month, commissioned by the Washington State Arts commission, in partnership with the Shoreline School District.

The work was funded by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), which collaborates with artists and arts organizations statewide to conserve, promote and develop artistic resources.

Wing
Artist Dick Weiss

ArtsWA’s Art in Public Places (AIPP) program facilitates the acquisition, placement, and stewardship of artwork in state-funded building projects throughout Washington.

The Washington State Legislature established the AIPP program in 1974 to acquire artwork for K-12 public schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies, funded by ½ of 1 percent of the state’s portion of construction costs.

Seattle glass artist Dick Weiss has shown continuously at Traver Gallery in Seattle for over 35 years.

About his installation at Shorewood, Weiss says “The Shorewood High School mascot is a "native inspired" thunderbird. I took elements from that bird, and combined it with elements from Western 20th Century art. 

"Taking inspiration from two art movements specifically, ABSTRACTION-CREATION (post-war, Paris), and the COBRA GROUP (also post-war, Brussels), I reconfigured the native design into geometry. Hence the two windows, BIRD AND BEAK (riffing off the head and body), and WING, in whites. These powerful forms are modern and strong against a traditional field of gridded blue and green.”

Shorewood High School, 17300 Fremont Ave N, Shoreline 98133.