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About the Artist


I began my glass fusing adventure with a workshop by Dan Fenton in 1993 and since then have taken several kilnforming workshops with him and other artists. After retiring from my scientific career at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, I was able to focus more on my artistic endeavors. Since then I have taken several advanced workshops specializing in fused glass techniques. My glass art has been exhibited in many local juried art shows since 1999, and I’m a member of the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild and Glass Art Society. I also teach fused glass techniques at Carolina Stained Glass Store in Durham, NC.

The inspiration for my artwork stems from a lifelong fascination with biology and the patterns found in nature. During my scientific career, I was always intrigued by the life forms I studied under the microscope and by the beauty I perceived in the research going on in my laboratory. Many of my fused glass pictures and sculptures have underlying scientific themes, although my style tends toward the abstract rather than the literal. I view each piece as an experiment, and it is exhilarating to open the kiln and see the results of the fusing process. Fortunately, with experience, the results of these experiments have become more predictable. I love the colors, textures, and depth of view that can be achieved with kilnformed glass, and the possibilities for creativity seem endless.

 

Articles & Publications


NIEHS Scientist Adds an Artistic Touch, NIH Record, November 2001

Glass Artist Fuses Art and Science, News & Observer, September 2007

Cover Art for British Columbia Medical Journal, May 2011

Featured Artist in Sculpture and Design with Recycled Glass by Cindy Ann Coldiron, October 2011

 

Selected Exhibitions


Since 2001, my artwork has been on display at Clear-Vue Glass in downtown Durham, North Carolina and at Carolina Stained Glass in Durham. My exposure at these two venues has led to several commissions of fused glass pictures, some designed with science themes.
 

1999

Raleigh Fine Arts Society juried art show; Durham Art Guild juried art show

2000

Durham Art Guild juried art show

2001

Durham Art Guild juried art show; Southern Women’s Show, Raleigh, NC (collaborative pieces w/ metal artist, Mathew Curtin)

2002

Durham Art Guild juried art show; Sculpture on the Green, Chapel Hill (collaborative pieces with metal artist, Ken Maynor)

2003

Durham Art Guild juried art show

2004

Durham Art Guild juried art show

2005

Raleigh Fine Arts Society juried art show

2006

Raleigh Fine Arts Society juried art show; Solo exhibit at Galloway Ridge Retirement community, Pittsboro, NC

2007

Carolina Designer Craftsmen show, Raleigh, NC

2008

Carolina Designer Craftsmen show, Raleigh, NC; Solo exhibit at Duke Eye Center, Durham, NC; Juried fine contemporary craft show at Raleigh Art Space

2009

Carolina Designer Craftmen show, Raleigh, NC

2010

Expo29 Winner Exhibit, March, bjspoke gallery, Huntington, NY (juror C. Seckler, pub. Art Times); Solo exhibit at Mayor’s office, Durham, NC

2011

Solo exhibit at Century Bldg., Carrboro, NC; Juried art show at Gallery West, Alexandria, VA; Cover art for British Columbia Medical Journal, May 2011. Featured artist at Saxapahaw Artists Gallery in November 2011.

I have also exhibited at arts and craft fairs at Centerfest in Durham, Cary Lazy Days, NIEHS and EPA in the Research Triangle Park, and the Durham Art walk. I am a member of the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild, Durham Art Guild, and the Glass Art Society. I was featured in a Raleigh News and Observer article in September, 2007. In 2008 I exhibited a glass art piece in the “Masterworks” special exhibit at the Carolina Designer Craftsmen show.

 

Awards & Honors


 

1975

Won SLR Minolta camera in photography contest from Manpower, Inc.

2007

3rd place award at Centerfest Art Fair, Durham, NC

 

Teaching Experience


Since 2004, I have taught fused glass techniques at Carolina Stained Glass in Durham, NC (three to four 6-week classes per year). In addition, I taught advanced workshops in stamping and quilting glass tiles and glass pattern bar creation in 2007 and 2008.

 

Education


1966

Duke University, Bachelor of Science, Botany

1970

Duke University, Masters of Science, Microbiology

1987

Classes in stained glass & glass fusing at George Danser’s studio, Durham, NC

1993

4 day workshop with well known fused glass artist Dan Fenton of California

1997

4 day Fused glass workshop with Dan Fenton

2004

4 day Fused glass workshop with Dan Fenton

2005

2 day workshop with Brad Walker of Warmglass.com

2007

4 day fused glass workshop at Hot Glass Horizons in Corning, NY
4 day Kiln casting workshop with Dan Fenton

2009

BeCon09, 3 day advanced kiln casting symposium in Portland, OR

2010

5 day Masterclass with Kirstie Rea of Australia at Urban Glass in Brooklyn, NY

2011

BeCon11, 3 day material exchange symposium, Portland, OR