artVenture 2016 - Girl Scouts fundraiser

"Abduction Hour" by Jessica, Megan, and Rhianna
12" x 12"; fused glass

 For this year's artVenture workshops, I invited Daisies and Brownies to the studio for one session and Juniors and Cadets in for another session. During the studio visit, I like to bring them into Architectural Glassarts so they can see a real, working studio.

"Amazing Life of a Girl Scout" by Kyleigh, Steph, and Morgan
12" x 12"; fused glass

 While we wait for everyone to arrive, I like to start a casual conversation with the girls that are there to find out where they go to school, how old they are, learn their names and hopefully open up the conversation so that they can make new friends and start getting comfortable with other girls that they may not already know.

"Sunset Trio" by Haylee, Carly, and Hailey
12" x 12"; fused glass

It's important that they be comfortable enough with each other to be able to communicate and share their ideas because they need to collaborate on a piece of art that will go up for auction in a few months at the annual artVenture gala.

"Prairie Sunset" by Abbigail, Sierra, and Faith
12" x 12"; fused glass

 In years past, I've brought in images of famous artwork for the girls to get inspired by and recreate in glass. This year, I brought in images for the older girls to look at and be inspired by. But, I asked them to put a name on what was inspiring them about the particular images they chose. Then, we divided into groups based on the images that everyone felt drawn to, and each group discussed the ideas that they had for subject matter for the collaborative fused glass art piece. Some groups were on exactly the same page, while others had a more give and take design process. The 12" x 12" pieces were made by the Juniors and Cadets.

"Girl Scout Sunny Moon" by Alexa, Olivia, Sarah, and Mikayla

 With the Daisies and Brownies, we talked about symbols and their meanings instead of looking at artwork. Each group came up with a list of symbols that they wanted to work on. Once an symbol was agreed upon, they sketched out their ideas and then those sketches were blown up to fill a 12" x 12" paper.

"Bounce Winner" by Delaney, Jordyn, Ella, and Mikayla

Each group learned how to safely cut glass using mosaic nippers. Then, the learned how they needed to fill in their design and add bridges, making sure all the pieces overlapped so they would fuse together in the kiln.

"Silent Sunrise" by Elizabeth, Kaitlyn, Ashley, and Adryanna

 After making their collaborative pieces, all the girls made something that they got to keep for themselves after going into the kiln.

"Magically Wonderful Gem" by Abby, Vittoria, Margaret, and Willow

To see all the pieces in person, make sure to join us at the artVenture gala!

Sunday, April 24, 2016
3–5 p.m.
Lincoln Station Great Hall
201 N 7th St., Lincoln

artVenture 2014 - Girl Scouts and Fused Glass

Interpretation of Wassily Kandinsky's "Circles and Squares"

 This year's artVenture collaboration took place once again at Architectural Glassarts in Lincoln, Nebraska. For the collaborative pieces, the girls picked a master's painting to interpret with fused glass. Check out this great article in L Magazine to read all about it and see more pictures!

Interpretation of Claude Monet's "Waterlilies"

Interpretation of Claude Monet's "Waterlilies" - detail

Interpretation of Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

Interpretation of Paul Klee's "Lagoon City" - backlit

Interpretation of Paul Klee's "Lagoon City"

artVenture 2013 - Girl Scouts and Fused Glass

Getting started - talking about how glass is made.

This year's artVenture took place once again at Architectural Glassarts in Lincoln, Nebraska. Thanks again to Rod Scott for his generosity in offering up his space!

We started out talking about how glass is made, how it comes to the glass shop, how to cut it and what happens after it goes in the kiln.  After the girls piece together the glass to create their design, the plates go into the kiln for an initial fusing that makes all the separate pieces into one. Then, the flat pieces go back in the kiln to get slumped into a mold. When, they come out of the kiln after the second firing, they have taken on the shape of the mold. Each group was given glass that was pre-cut to match the molds on their table.  We broke into groups and started brainstorming themes for our pieces. 

"Cold Blaze"
6.75" x 14.5"
Artists: Kaity, Jessie, Haley

Kaity, Jessie and Hallie created "Cold Blaze," a combination of an underwater scene under a blazing sunset. Can you see the fish, turtles and sea plants?

"Four Seasons"
set of four: 5.75" x 5.75"
Artists: Belle, Emma, Carrie

Belle, Emma and Carrie came up with a seasonal theme to go with the four molds they were presented. Clever, huh?

"Sunsets"
8.5" x 8.5"
Artists: Paige, Anna, Hallie

Paige, Anna and Hallie created an abstracted sunset for their piece...

Part sheets created for "Fireworks"
Artists: Noa, Laci, Krista, CJ, Jenny, Madison

...which leaves the last and largest group. This group of 6 were given glass blanks, but no mold. Generally, I coach the girls as they make their collaborative pieces which are donated to the artVenture auction. Additionally, I submit a piece of my work to be auctioned. This year, I wanted to try something different for the last piece. So, the girls made the blanks that would be cut up to become a larger panel that was pieced together and framed by me. I wasn't sure how they would react to the suggestion that they would make something specifically so it could be cut apart again. However, I think the fact that they don't get to keep the collaborative piece anyway really helps. (All the girls do get the chance to make fused glass pieces to take home. This year they all made 4"-6" plates and jewelry pieces.)

"Fireworks"
26" x 10.5"
Artists: Noa, Laci, Krista, CJ, Jenny, Madison
Pieced together by Carrie Strope Sohayda

I absolutely love how the panel turned out and once again all the girls made fantastic fused glass art!

Clinton Elementary School Residency ~ Mosaic Glass Quilts

In December, I spent one week with K-5th graders at Clinton Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska. In addition to creating fused glass snowflakes to take home and enjoy, we collaborated on a glass quilt that will hang in the school for all the students, staff and visitors to enjoy for years to come. I'm thrilled that the International Quilt Study Center is going to host the opening reception in May for First Friday. I can't wait for the kiddos to share their experience!

Pre-installation picture of the six 18" x 24" panels

  We spent the week with color theory and worksheets figuring out the quilt blocks we wanted to use, what shapes made up the blocks we chose, and playing with different color combinations to find our favorites.

High Plains Community Schools Residency Recap

During the last week of September and the first week of October, 2012, I was able to work with High Plains Community Schools in Polk and Clarks, Nebraska through the Nebraska Arts Council Artists in Schools and Communities program. AiS/C makes grant money available as matching funds for school and community projects. If you're interested in learning more about the program, their website has lots of helpful info.

Finished mosaic panels : 9th-12th graders
102" x 36", glass & mirror mosaic

For the first week, I stayed with my gracious hosts Peggy and Maynard in Hordsville, Nebraska, a short 10 minute drive to the Polk High School, where I worked with grades 4 & 5 on fused glass sun catchers and grades 9-12 on the mosaic panel pictured above.

artVenture 2012 Fused Glass Plates

"Garden Plaid"

This year's group of Girl Scouts met me at Architectural GlassArts again for our fused glass collaborations. Girls age 8-16 years old participated, with most of the girls being in the 10-12 year old range.