A few years ago, I was asked if I made Christmas ornaments. My immediate response, was "no", but then I quickly thougfht, if I had a tree, I would hang little fused glass horseheads on it and that's how it came about.Besides horseheads, I began fusing cat and dog heads, too.

The heads are assembled with flame manipulated stringers, confetti, frits and powders on a base of compatible glass.

I am developing a "classic" line and then there's the one-of-a-kinds. Contact me if you're interested!

Several years ago, I began the Turtle Series, inspired by an abundance of gopher turtles where I live in north-central Florida bordered by the Ocala National Forest.

Around that time, glass artist extraordinaire, Jon Erickson and his wife, stopped by for a visit on their way from Savannah, Georgia to southwest Florida. Jon mentioned Tybee Island, located off the coast from Savannah, which is known for its nesting sea turtles – mostly loggerheads, but also green, leatherback, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. His comments nested in the back of my mind for a couple of years.

Recently, I had a call from Gerald Schantz, a glass artist from Savannah and now the owner of Gerald’s Pig and Shrimp restaurant on Tybee Island. He remembered that I made bolos over the years and asked if I could make him a bolo featuring a pig’s face for his barbeque business. I did. Then Gerald said his friend owned Gallery 80 on Tybee and had heard of my turtles. Since those first pieces were land turtles, I went back to the drawing board and designed the Sea Turtles. The turtles incorporate several different techniques and firings and, so far, each one is unique. I’m getting ready to send some to Gallery 80 and I anticipated refining a product line - we’ll see where this project goes!

The Art of Purpose: An Applied Arts Exhibit

Exhibit Dates: August 7 - 29, 2020

#attheBrick

The Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) has a new exhibit at the Brick: The Art of Purpose. The term "applied arts" is used in distinction to fine arts, which are those whose only purpose is to be beautiful and stimulate the intellect in some way. This exhibit focuses on artists who create original objects creatively designed with both aesthetics and function in mind

The prize winners were announced during the opening reception last Friday by our Executive Director, Jaye Baillie and exhibit judge, Suzy Heinbockel. Winning pieces are:

• Best of Show: Newy Fagan for her fused glass art piece titled "Caladium Vessel"

• First Place: Bill Blaes for his woodwork art piece titled "Bent Handled Tool Box"

• Second Place: Cookie Serletic for her ceramic art piece titled "Koi Fish Pond"

• Third Place: Kent Weakley for his woodwork art piece titled "Live Oak Chaos"

• Honorable Mentions: Cat Paus, Allan David and Connie Ferreira

Before visiting the show remember:

Masks are required. Social Distancing requested.

Capacity is limited to 40 guests at a time.

Questions? Please contact MCA Gallery Director, or call at 352-369-1500.

The Art of Purpose Exhibit is presented by Angie Lewis - State Farm Agent.

The Brick City Center for the Arts and Marion Cultural Alliance current exhibition The Art of Purpose continues to August 28, 2020.

Caladium Vessel

Dimensions: H. 5", W. 14.5", L. 16"

Kiln formed glass. Hand manipulated.

Contact Newy for pricing.