Traver Gallery

🎶 Join us at Traver Gallery for an Art & Culture Week Event. Musical performance by OLLELLA
Tuesday, September 10th: Doors open at 6 pm. Performance at 7 pm. 💓

Ollela (pronounced oh-lel-uh), is a multidisciplinary artist, indie-folk cellist, vocalist, and songwriter. Immerse yourself in the ethereal compositions of Ollella, surrounded by the art of contemporary “gay folk artist” Jeffry Mitchell and award-winning hyperrealist sculptor Tip Toland.

Ollela’s career as a musician started early; she sang before she could talk. Trained as a classical cellist since the age of nine, the Seattle musician merges her technical string background with authoritative vocals and live-looping. Described as “really outstanding” by NPR Music’s Bob Boilen and “so tastefully done” by Michelle Zauner (AKA Japanese Breakfast), Ollella blends the acoustic with the contemporary, folk with pop, and tenacity with softness, pulling on influences such as Feist, Cat Power, and Sylvan Esso. She was twice a finalist in the NPR Tiny Desk Contest (2024, 2022), has had music featured in film and TV, and is a frequent collaborator with other musicians. She finds herself drawn to music because it unlocks a particularly organic flavor of humanity – one that fits the type of world she believes in.

💫After a whirlwind of travel, art and openings, we finally had a moment to collect our thoughts. 💭

Last week Sarah and Bill Traver traveled to Venice, Italy, for the opening of Homo Faber . They met so many wonderful people and saw hundreds of incredible handmade works by artists from all over. What a fantastic exhibition to experience in person!

Traver and Vetri Galleries were thrilled to be there to represent four gallery artists at this city-wide art celebration: lampworker Ginny Ruffner, illustrator Andrea Dezsö, glass sculptor Bronson Shonk, and glass designer Andi Kovel.

Thank you to Bronson Shonk and Ellie Barber for joining us on this journey and sharing a few of your photos with us. .shonk

Also… ⭐️⭐️⭐️Big Congrats to and for the highlight in Harper’s Bazzar Italy. The feature is part of the most relevant news collaborations and important events of the week according to

If you’re wondering what homo faber is...Homo Faber 2024: The Journey of Life September 1–30, 2024. The Michelangelo Foundation curates this international celebration of contemporary craftsmanship in Venice, Italy, from September 1 to 30. Visit to learn more or please contact us with any questions at info@travergallery or 206-587-6501.
shonk

The whole place was packed and all the wine was drank! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to celebrate our opening exhibitions for Jeffry Mitchell and Tip Toland last night. 💫

It is evident by how many of you showed up what a rich community we have here in Seattle. So much love was shown to these two, Jeffry and Tip, reminding us what it’s all about. We couldn’t be happier. 💓🎨

Thank you Tip and Jeffry for continuing on your journey and letting us be part of your story.

“Alligators, Elefants & Alphabets” by Jeffry Mitchell and “Behind The Scenes” by Tip Toland are on view through September 28.

Another one for the books.

Join us in welcoming Jeffry Mitchell to the gallery for the opening of his first solo exhibition with us, Alligators, Elephants, and Alphabets. Come see his newest works in ceramics, neon, and paper on Thursday, September 5, from 5–8 p.m. The artist will be present.

Join us tomorrow, Thursday, September 5th, from 5-8 p.m. for the opening reception of Behind The Scenes by the celebrated Tip Toland! Come explore her hyperrealistic ceramic sculptures and stunning large-scale pencil portraits. The artist will be in attendance.

Tip Toland lives in Vaughn, Washington. She received her MFA from Montana State University in 1981. Tip is a full-time studio artist and won numerous international awards, including the 2022 American Craft Council Award and the 2019 Grand Prize at the Gyeonggi International Ceramics Biennale, National Ceramics Museum in Korea. Her work is in the prestigious permanent collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian, the Icheon Museum of Ceramics, the Yingee Ceramics Museum in Taiwan, and many more.

🎶 Join us at Traver Gallery for an Art & Culture Week Event. Musical performance by OLLELLA
Tuesday, September 10th Doors open at 6 pm. Performance at 7 pm. 💓

Ollela (pronounced oh-lel-uh), is a multidisciplinary artist, indie-folk cellist, vocalist, and songwriter. Immerse yourself in the ethereal compositions of Ollella, surrounded by the art of contemporary “gay folk artist” Jeffry Mitchell and award-winning hyperrealist sculptor Tip Toland.

Ollela’s career as a musician started early; she sang before she could talk. Trained as a classical cellist since the age of nine, the Seattle musician merges her technical string background with authoritative vocals and live-looping. Described as “really outstanding” by NPR Music’s Bob Boilen and “so tastefully done” by Michelle Zauner (AKA Japanese Breakfast), Ollella blends the acoustic with the contemporary, folk with pop, and tenacity with softness, pulling on influences such as Feist, Cat Power, and Sylvan Esso. She was twice a finalist in the NPR Tiny Desk Contest (2024, 2022), has had music featured in film and TV, and is a frequent collaborator with other musicians. She finds herself drawn to music because it unlocks a particularly organic flavor of humanity – one that fits the type of world she believes in.

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“ Casino Night “
She’ll be on display at the Traver Gallery in Seattle Thursday, September 5th. 🎲🎰

Come join us to celebrate the opening of Tip Toland’s exhibition “Behind the Scenes”during this upcoming First Thursday Art Walk. 💫

We will also be opening Alligators, Elefants & Alphabets by Jeffry Mitchel! It’s sure to be a party🥰💓🐘

Exciting write up this month on Jiuong Lee in This Is Colossal . Thank you Jackie Andres .andres for the feature. 🌸💫💓

“From a young age, artist and educator Jiyong Lee(previously) was fascinated with biological processes. He grew up paging through medical illustration books, amazed by cells and how life
starts with the proliferation of just one. Lee’s ongoing Segmentation series is an ode to cell division and the obscurities of life science that can only be viewed with a microscope…”

read more or link in bio 💚✅

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I’m honored to be photographed by Russell Johnson. You can see my show Storytelling at Traver Gallery in Seattle through August 31, 2024.
Shown here with painted wood sculptures, blown glass, paintings, and pyrovitreographs made by rolling hot glass onto paper to create burnt images. Also in the show are the newest embroideries in the Lessons From My Mother series and one-of-a-kind artist’s books made with hand printed woodblocks.

It was such a fun night in that gallery last night for our opening receptions. So many friends came out and supported our artists. Thank you all for sharing in this moment with us. 💓🌸🎉

We have two incredible shows up this month.

LinoTagliapietra: Maestro, Mentore with Jen Elek, Nancy Callan, John Kiley, Dante Marioni, and Dave Walters
&
Storytelling by Andrea Dezsö

On view through August 31st. 💜💎

Tonight! 💫 ANDREA DEZSÖ: STORYTELLING

Opening Reception: Thursday, August 1st, 5–8 pm. Join us for a celebratory toast with an Aperol Spritz from 5–6 pm.

Traver Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition, Storytelling, by mixed-media artist Andrea Dezsö. The exhibition features Dezsö’s newest works across various media, including drawing, painting, monotype prints, woodcut panels, pyrovitreography, embroidery on fabric, and blown glass sculpture.

Deszö says, “This work represents my feelings and obsessions over two years as I explored new materials and ways of making art.
The artists would like to thank Ben and the remarkably gifted team at
Dan Friday for the wonderful collaboration and being joyful and to Doug for the assist. Thank you, for supporting the residency at MOG and thank you, Adam , for everything all the time.

Come celebrate tonight the opening of this incredible exhibition and artist with us. 💓🌸

We are here 📍Traver Gallery




shonk gunn

What a fun opening night of for us and . It was great to connect with all of our old friends and collectors and to meet so many new people.

Thank you everyone for coming out to celebrate art in Seattle. Come visit Traver Gallery and Vetri this weekend at The Seattle Art Fair. We are here through Sunday and we are bringing some new pieces into the booths today so come stop by and check it out! 💜💫💓

Yesterday was a big day. Packing up all the pedestals and art begins to set up out booths at Seattle Art Fair. If you didn’t know Traver Gallery and Vetri will both be exhibiting this time. So come visit us in booths B04 and B07. We are right next to each other. We have brought more artwork and artists than we ever have before!

The fair opens tonight July 25 from 6-9pm and runs all weekend. Visit for more information.

See you there!

ANDREA DEZSÖ: STORYTELLING 🌸💓
Opening Reception: Thursday August 1, 5–8pm

Traver Gallery is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition, “Storytelling,” by mixed-media artist Andrea Dezsö. The exhibition opens with a reception on Thursday, August 1st, from 5–8 p.m., featuring Dezsö’s newest works across various media, including drawing, painting, monotype prints, woodcut panels, pyrovitreography, embroidery on fabric, and blown glass sculpture.

Dezsö’s work delves into lived experiences, often expressed through figurative and narrative forms. Her art explores personal and societal themes such as women’s roles, authoritarianism, family dynamics, ideological and societal influences on the individual, relationships with nature, and the human body. She meticulously selects materials that best translate her concepts into visual narratives, often drawing inspiration from nature and the spirit world depicted in folklore and folk traditions.

The wood sculptures in Storytelling are created from Baltic birch plywood, a material Dezsö favors for its quality and workability. However, the war in Ukraine disrupted this supply, prompting Dezsö to shift towards self-reliance and sustainability. She now makes her own watercolor paints, inks, and paper from locally sourced natural materials, subverting commercial supply chains and fostering a closer connection with nature.

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Come view this magnificent sculpture by Tori Karpenko.
preview #5:
FIRE. HEAT. 🥵 105° today while loading the sculpture onto a trailer. Meanwhile, the Pioneer Creek fire rages on directly east of me and a new fire by Easy pass threatens to close down Highway 20. This tree was burned during similar conditions two years ago in the Cub Creek fire. When it’s this hot and dry, everything looks like it could spontaneously start on fire. Also, this summer we are honoring the 10 year anniversary of the Carlton complex fire, the most devastating fire in recent Methow history. Thanks and prayers go out to all the people fighting the fires and doing their best to keep us safe.

LINO TAGLIAPIETRA: MAESTRO, MENTORE
Thursday, August 1– Saturday, August 31
Opening Reception: Thursday, Aug 1, 5–8pm

This August, Traver Gallery welcomes Maestro Lino Tagliapietra and his principal team members, Nancy Callan, Jen Elek, John Kiley, Dante Marioni, and Dave Walters, to the gallery for a special exhibition. We invite you to join us on Thursday, August 1st, from 5 to 8 p.m. as we gather to celebrate the opening of this extraordinary show.

Lino Tagliapietra: Maestro, Mentore showcases the work of legendary glass sculptor Lino Tagliapietra alongside works by the five team members who have worked most closely with him: Nancy Callan, Jen Elek, John Kiley, Dante Marioni, and Dave Walters. Exhibiting together for the first time, the works of these six immensely talented glass artists tell a story of artistic mentorship and mutual reverence.

For this unique exhibition, each of Lino’s principal team members, along with Bill Traver, Gallery Founder, and Jacopo Vecchiato, Lino’s Grandson and Executive Manager, were invited to hand-select an archived sculpture from Lino’s illustrious body of work that personally resonated with them. Lino, in turn, selected favorite works by each of the five artist team members. The selected works will be displayed together, with insights from the artists about their selections.

On the occasion of his 90th birthday, and coinciding with the release of the new Documentary “Sono Lino,” Maestro, Mentore illustrates precisely the profound and enduring legacy of Lino Tagliapietra. It celebrates the historical career of Lino Tagliapietra, his rich, collaborative relationships, and the profound personal connections within his glassblowing community. We are eager and honored to share these extraordinary works and the stories behind them with you, our friends, and collectors.

We are really enjoying our summe rexhibition “Pattern” a group show featuring works by Nancy Callan, Mel Douglas, Dante Marioni, Ben Edols and Kathy Elliott, and Corey Pemberton.

Nancy Callan, renowned for her dynamic and fluid blown-glass forms, incorporates bold colors and intricate patterns that challenge the boundaries of the medium. Known for her elegant and minimalist designs, Mel Douglas focuses on the interplay of line, form, volume, and space. Ben Edols & Kathy Elliott combine technical precision and mark-making with influences from nature, producing works that highlight glass’s textural and optical qualities. Dante Marioni is a master of classical Venetian glassblowing techniques; his pieces are distinguished by their refined forms and sophisticated patterns. Corey Pemberton, a newcomer to Traver Gallery, brings fresh perspectives and innovative techniques, exploring new directions in his glass, painting, and quilting and highlighting the patterns, textures, and forms that adorn our domestic landscapes.

A little look into our current exhibition “The Fire Age” by Dafna Kafeman.

Dafna Kaffeman has been engaged in artistic creation for over two decades, combining techniques of drawing and printmaking while employing glass as her primary medium. Dafna’s work with glass is done using a torch – by using live fire, she harnesses the material’s properties; namely fragility, refraction, and transparency, into a variety of works addressing socio-political issues.

Dafna Kaffeman received her MFA from the Sandberg Institute, Amsterdam (2001). She has participated in many group and solo exhibitions in Europe and the United States. Solo exhibitions include the Chrysler Museum of Art (2021), the Museum of Craft and Design, San Francisco (2015-16); the American University Museum, Washington (2011); and Lorch+Seidel Contemporary, Berlin (2010, 2013, 2017). Her works are in the collections of leading art institutions around the world, including the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, London; the Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia; Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; and others. She was the recipient of the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sports Award (2011, 2016) and the Andree Matter Contemporary Artist Award from the Madreema Foundation in collaboration with The Israel Museum (2019).

We had a great opening reception last week for “The Fire Age” by Daffna Kaffeman and “Pattern” a group exhibition featuring Nancy Callan, Mel Douglas, BenEdols & Kathy Elliott, Dante Marioni, and Corey Pemberton. So many friends showed up and showed out! Thanks everyone who came out to support our artists. 💓😊

We are excited to welcome Dafna Kaffeman to the gallery for her debut solo exhibition “The Fire Age.” Come celebrate today with us and the artist during the Opening Reception Saturday, July 6 from 2–5pm. Artist will be present. 🌸

Image: “The Rule of Law”. This piece is comprised of over 100 delicate flame worked glass elements of seeds, flowers, plants, and bugs. She carefully selected local flora and fauna linked to the Israeli Zionist ethos because of their implicit symbolism. These crystalline renditions of specimens resonate with the aesthetics and values of bygone days through hidden allegories, encoded messages and subtle metaphors.

Dafna Kaffeman received her MFA from the Sandberg Institute, Amsterdam (2001). She has participated in many group and solo exhibitions in Europe and the United States. Solo exhibitions include the Chrysler Museum of Art (2021), the Museum of Craft and Design, San Francisco (2015-16); the American University Museum, Washington (2011); and Lorch+Seidel Contemporary, Berlin (2010, 2013, 2017). Her works are in the collections of leading art institutions worldwide, including the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, London; the Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia; Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; and others. She was the recipient of the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sports Award (2011, 2016) and the Andree Matter Contemporary Artist Award from the Madreema Foundation in collaboration with The Israel Museum (2019).

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to AIDA (The Association of Israel’s Decorative Arts) and Doug and Dale Anderson for their generous support of Dafna Kaffeman. This significant exhibition would not be possible without their integral involvement.

Hello Everyone. This is a friendly reminder we will be hosting the Opening Reception for our July exhibitions tomorrow Saturday, July 6 from 2–5 pm. Come celebrate with us! 🍾

“Patterns, is a group exhibition featuring the works of acclaimed glass artists Nancy Callan, Mel Douglas, Ben Edols & Kathy Elliott, Dante Marioni, and Corey Pemberton.

This exhibition coincides with Session 4 at the Pilchuck Glass School, where these artists will be participating as teachers, artists in residence, and craftspeople in residence from July 11-28, 2024. As friends, colleagues, and collaborators, they will bring a shared enthusiasm, focus, and collaborative spirit to their mediums, making this a unique once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.

As Nancy Callan and Mel Douglas articulate, “Glass is a fantastic medium for dreaming up new ways to bend space, stretch time, and renew a sense of wonder. In this exhibition, these artists explore the linear complexities and the unique spatial qualities of glass and various mediums, examining the relationship of form, pattern, balance, and color.”

Nancy Callan, renowned for her dynamic and fluid blown-glass forms, incorporates bold colors and intricate patterns that challenge the boundaries of the medium. Known for her elegant and minimalist designs, Mel Douglas focuses on the interplay of line, form, volume, and space. Ben Edols & Kathy Elliott combine technical precision and mark-making with influences from nature, producing works that highlight glass’s textural and optical qualities. Dante Marioni is a master of classical Venetian glassblowing techniques; his pieces are distinguished by their refined forms and sophisticated patterns. Corey Pemberton, a newcomer to Traver Gallery, brings fresh perspectives and innovative techniques, exploring new directions in his glass, painting, and quilting and highlighting the patterns, textures, and forms that adorn our domestic landscapes.

✨Congratulations to Lauren Grossman✨ being honored with a 2024 SOLA Award! Learn more about SOLA and lauren by visiting &

Ranging in scale from intimate objects to sited installations, Lauren Grossman’s provocative work wrestles with the ever-shifting meanings of Judeo/Christian imagery in contemporary culture. Often repurposing mechanisms and salvaging scrap, her sculpture embraces the well-worn qualities of the materials as well as the allusions. Many of her pieces invite interactivity—lifting, pushing, cranking, circumambulation—adding complexity (and occasional humor) to the relationship between object and viewer. Another persistent thread in her work investigates the physicality of language, translating written word into sculptural form.

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“Raven didn’t want to go into battle without an ally, so he visited the kushtaka, the land otter people, who live where the breeze blows both ways. The land otter people were very powerful.

In the beginning, when Raven named the birds and the animals of the forests and of the Underwater World and gave them their assignments, he gave the land otter the ability to change shape into that of any creature it wished.

With this power came a responsibility: the kushtaka were charged with watching over the waters and the forests for those who are lost and near death from exposure or drowning. The kushtaka saves these lost souls and adopts them into their clan.” - “New Takes on Traditional Stories”, Written by bestselling author Garth Stein and inspired by art from Preston Singletary.

Son of Land Otter
Blown and sand carved glass
25.25” x 11” x 4”

www.travergallery.com or link in Stories. 

The month flew by! I can’t believe we are in the last week of the June exhibition “Moving : Stilling” by Jef Gun. If you haven’t made it into the gallery to see this diverse collection of over 25 unique paintings you have a few more days. On view through Saturday, June 29.

“A painting is a rectangle with marks and shapes and colors. How on Earth can these marks and shapes and colors be said to mean anything? We’re each moved by, touched by, natural forms, elemental forms, in the landscape. We find them meaningful.

Earth: low, below my feet. Mountain and Valley. Rock. Dense. Horizon.

Water: River, lake, ocean, rain. Life. Horizon.

Sky: Spacious, above me, heaven, vast. Horizon.” Jef Gunn .gunn

SAVE THE DATE: OPENING RECEPTION on Saturday, July 6th, 2–5 pm

Patterns, is a group exhibition featuring the works of acclaimed glass artists Nancy Callan, Mel Douglas, Ben Edols & Kathy Elliott, Dante Marioni, and Corey Pemberton. The exhibition will run from July 6–27.

This exhibition coincides with Session 4 at the Pilchuck Glass School, where these artists will be participating as teachers, artists in residence, and craftspeople in residence from July 11-28, 2024. As friends, colleagues, and collaborators, they will bring a shared enthusiasm, focus, and collaborative spirit to their mediums, making this a unique once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.

The theme of “Patterns,” which mirrors the session theme at Pilchuck Glass School , is an in-depth exploration of the beauty that can be found in the simple act of repetition. Be it through repeated shapes, designs, mark-making, or decoration, the works in this exhibition illustrate the unique ways that glass and pattern-making work dynamically in tandem. As Nancy Callan and Mel Douglas articulate, “Glass is a fantastic medium for dreaming up new ways to bend space, stretch time, and renew a sense of wonder. In this exhibition, these artists explore the linear complexities and the unique spatial qualities of glass and various mediums, examining the relationship of form, pattern, balance, and color.”

SAVE THE DATE: OPENING RECEPTION on Saturday, July 6th, 2–5 pm ☀️🔎

We are thrilled to welcome newly represented artist Dafna Kaffeman to the gallery in July for her debut solo exhibition, The Fire Age.

Dafna Kaffeman has been engaged in artistic creation for over two decades, combining drawing and printmaking techniques while employing glass as her primary medium. Dafna’s work with glass is done using a torch - by using live fire, she harnesses the material’s properties, namely fragility, refraction, and transparency, into a variety of works addressing socio-political issues.

Dafna Kaffeman received her MFA from the Sandberg Institute, Amsterdam (2001). She has participated in many group and solo exhibitions in Europe and the United States. Solo exhibitions include the Chrysler Museum of Art (2021), the Museum of Craft and Design, San Francisco (2015-16); the American University Museum, Washington (2011); and Lorch+Seidel Contemporary, Berlin (2010, 2013, 2017). Her works are in the collections of leading art institutions around the world, including the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, London; the Chrysler Museum of Art, Virginia; Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; and others. She was the recipient of the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sports Award (2011, 2016) and the Andree Matter Contemporary Artist Award from the Madreema Foundation in collaboration with The Israel Museum (2019).

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