Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of the artist (detail).

Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Michael Dupille. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Blue Ribbon Livin', 2013

Michael Dupille
American (born 1955)

Location: Valley School, Valley

About the Artwork

Artist Michael Dupille created the glass painting ‘Blue Ribbon Livin'’ to inspire students at Valley School to reach for their highest goals. The oversized 14-by-10-foot blue ribbon symbolizes the highest award of achievement, be it a county fair or a sporting event. The mural imagery on the ribbon reflects the valley's history, beauty, and rural culture.

Dupille creates his “glass paintings” using different colors of crushed glass called "frit" which he layers and fires in a hot kiln. The use of glass is also a nod to the importance of sand production in the school’s local area of Northeast Washington. The Lane Mountain Sand plant is directly across the street from Valley School. The sand plant produces the high-quality silica sand that is used to make the glass used by Dupille in many of his artworks. Each grade from kindergarten through 8th grade learned about the processes and ideas in ‘Blue Ribbon Livin'’ through lessons that connect public art installations to a variety of classroom subjects.

As part of the artwork dedication, Valley School’s students created a massive, colorful, sand painting in the shape of a blue ribbon covering the school's softball field. Each student was given their own space to work within. By the end of the day, they had created a colorful temporary artwork that could be seen from the Lane Mountain Sand plant that donated the sand for the project. The sand painting helped the students feel even more connected to ‘Blue Ribbon Livin'’, and it also let them experience first-hand the value and joy of creativity.

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

About the Artist

Michael Dupille is a Seattle-based glass artist. He has pioneered different glass-forming processes and has refined a technique in which he calls "fritography" or "glass painting."
Dupille creates his “glass paintings” by drawing on a blank piece of glass. He mixes various sizes and colors of crushed glass called "frit", applies it to the glass surface, and fires it in a kiln. He repeats this process several times, building up the image with layers of colored glass to create a vibrant, sculptural artwork.