Erwin Timmers (born 1964)[1] is a Dutch-born American artist[2][3] and the co-founder of the Washington Glass School[4][5][6] in the Greater Washington, D.C. capital area. Timmers has been recognized as one of the early "green or environmental artists",[1][7] working mostly with recycled glass.[8]
He was named the Montgomery County, MD Executive's Award Outstanding Artist of the Year in 2018,[9] one of the awards in the 17th annual County Executive's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities. Timmers' sculptural works in sustainable design have been widely exhibited in many galleries and are part of many public collections, including many public artworks around the Greater Washington, D.C. capital region.
As noted in two separate 2007 interviews,[1][11] Timmers notes that his "recycling heritage" in working with recycled materials comes from his up bringing in Holland.[11] His 2018 Outstanding Artist of the Year award was based in part "for his work in both environmental art as well work as mentor/educator."[3]
Critical reception
WETA Television noted that "Timmers’ sculpture calls attention to contemporary issues through a creative re-engineering of often-overlooked forms and concepts, often focusing on industrial salvage and recycling."[12]
In the presentation of Timmers' 2018 Outstanding Artist of the Year award,[3] Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett noted that “By their work, they lift us up and educate and inspire us. They make us laugh and make us cry. They make a good Montgomery County even better.”[3]
The Washington City Paper wrote that "Timmers has made it his mission to refashion discarded tempered window glass into sculpted pieces of art."[13]
The Washington Post wrote that "Erwin Timmers sets panels made of recycled glass into metal frames, using throwaway items such as plastic-bottle bottoms as molds."[14]
Timmers is represented by Zenith Gallery, one of Washington DC's longest operating art galleries and directed by former D.C. Arts Commissioner Margery E. Goldberg.
He was named the Montgomery County, MD Executive's Award Outstanding Artist of the Year in 2018,[2][3] one of the awards in the 17th annual County Executive's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities.[17]
The James Renwick Alliance selected Erwin Timmers' artwork on exhibit in the Artomatic 2.0 art fair for an award of excellence in the craft field, noting his innovative use of recycled glass and his focus on environmental concerns.[18]