SAAC welcomes glass artists Ann Wilson and Betty Wilson, seen here with the tools of their trade, to the long list of local artists who teach workshops in their chosen discipline. Their first project will be a fused glass lantern.
Ann Wilson and Betty Wilson, local glass artists and owners of “Elements Glass Art”, will offer a fused glass lantern workshop at SAAC.
Eight years ago, Ann and Betty took a stained-glass class in Louisiana. After finishing the project, they bought the equipment to do stained glass at home. “When searching the internet for more classes, we found a class in Texas offering a fused glass boot camp for a week,” said Ann. “We learned all the basics of fusing glass and how to operate a kiln. We were hooked! Before we came home, we bought a kiln, ordered art glass and then told our husbands we needed a studio by the end of the month. That is how Elements Glass Art Studio started.
“We continue to learn new techniques by attending classes or taking online classes from various fused glass instructors from Texas, Florida, California, and Kansas. We create glass art pieces that include bowls, platters, plates, trays, Christmas decor, yard art, wall art, nightlights, lanterns, and sun catchers. We also do custom work.
“We participate in multiple festivals during the year, and customers ask us all the time if we teach classes. Our excuse was that we were still working, but now we are both retired, so we decided to share our love of glass art with others.”
The basic idea behind fused glass is that art objects can be created by melting glass in a kiln. That simple idea is behind hundreds of techniques. Fused glass (sometimes called kiln formed, warm, or kiln-glass) is an accessible and rewarding art form for many people around the world – and it is growing quickly in popularity.
The two women will offer this two-week class twice. Session 1 will be held on Monday, Oct 28, 6-8pm and Monday, Nov 4, 6-7pm. Session 2 will be held on Monday, Nov 18, 6-8pm and Monday, Nov 25, 6-7pm. On the first Monday, class participants will design the six glass panels for the lantern in a 2-hour class. On the second Monday, after they have been fired in the kiln, the panels and lighting will be installed in the lantern in a 1-hour class.
Cost for this unique art class is $100 per person and includes all supplies and tools needed. The fee for this class must be prepaid at time of sign up due to the specialty nature of the supplies required. No experience with glass is required. The instructors will teach you how to use pre-cut fused glass, frit glass and glass stringers, while you design and create your own project.
Call the SAAC office to register – 870-862-5474.