Artwork copyright Dick Weiss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Dick Weiss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Dick Weiss. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, 2017.

Artwork copyright Dick Weiss. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Dick Weiss. Photo courtesy of the artist.

A Beginning, 1999

Dick Weiss
(American, born 1946)

Location: Edmonds Woodway High School, Edmonds

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Artist Dick Weiss's A Beginning is inspired by the way glass, whether clear or colored, changes the quality of light. Weiss created this 18-panel, leaded stained glass window from flattened discs of brightly colored glass, also known as rondelles. He notes that "Leaded glass can enhance most structures. It glows day or night. Whether clear or colored, the light is inspiring."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Edmonds School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Dick Weiss is known for his large, glass installations. He creates glass and two-dimensional artworks that combine folk and contemporary art traditions. In his own words, "Stained glass has been a handmaiden to architecture for hundreds of years. I like that. I like its traditional, hand-built quality. It feels very human." Weiss has been working with stained glass since 1971.

Weiss was born in Everett, Western Washington and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in Connecticut. He is the recipient of 1981 and 1987 craftsman grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. He has taught at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, and Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle.