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

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

The Astronomer, 1997

Walt Lieberman and Dick Weiss
Walt Lieberman (American, born 1954); Dick Weiss (American, born 1946)

Location: North Star Elementary, Graham

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

The Astronomer is a glass artwork created by WD40+, the artist team of Walt Lieberman and Dick Weiss. European Renaissance imagery from 1300-1700 inspired this piece. They created the composition using a traditional glass painting technique where finely ground glass is mixed with color pigment and painted onto a sheet of glass, which is fired in a kiln to fuse the glass. This process is repeated many times to create rich layers and a sense of depth.

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

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artists Walt Leiberman and Dick Weiss work collaboratively under the name WD40+.
Walt Leiberman received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Massachusetts College of Art and has taught at at art and glass programs around the world, as well as locally at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, and Pratt FIne Arts Center in Seattle.
Dick Weiss received 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 also taught at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington.