A Touch of Glass

Art show turns everyday material into beautiful pieces of eye candy

By Danielle MacMurchy

It’s not just used for windows and cereal bowls, as art professor Ed Gillum puts it; glass has become a popular medium to create distinct works of art.
To illustrate the vast diversity of this medium, Fresno State’s department of art and design presents Glass, an art show featuring a variety of glass work from artists across the country.

Art Professor Ed Gillum, who is coordinating the show, said he chose to feature glass work because of the wide range of artwork created with the material.

“ I was utterly amazed at what people are doing with glass,” Gillum said. “We want as big a show and as diverse a show as possible.”

Even after filling the Conley Art Gallery wall to wall with glass work, Gillum said he believes they are merely scratching the surface of the glass world. When most people think of glass as an art, they think of glass blowing; however, this show will illustrate that glass goes far beyond that.

“ We hope people can see that glass is more than windows,” said adjunct professor Kris Kessey. She added that glass can be manipulated just like any other material, which creates very diverse designs.

Adjunct professor Nancy Youdelman pushed the limitations of glass when she created a pieced entitled Shattered Dress. Inspired by a dream, Youdelman glued broken glass on a woman’s dress to create a unique and captivating design. This piece, as well as a similar design entitled Broken Baby, will be featured in the show. Youdelman said she enjoys working with glass because it’s both dangerous and beautiful. “I like that contrast,” she added.

One of the more well-known artists presenting their glass work is Clifford Rainey, a noted Irish sculptor and teacher at California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. Another renowned artist, John Luebtow, will display his abstract glass work in the show. Luebtow is currently a teacher at Harvard School in North Hollywood. Another state-side artist showing his work is Marvin Lipofsky. A professor at Berkeley, Lipofsky is known for his organic forms and interesting surface treatments. Rainey, Luebtow and Lipofsky will all be giving formal lectures throughout the month of February.

Other artists presenting their work include Tom Philabaum from Tucson, Ariz. and first-year Fresno State professor Joan Sharma.

The art and design department expressed their gratitude to all the artists showing their work. Gillum said he hopes people will take advantage of this opportunity to widen their view of not only glass, but of art.

Several local businesses are sponsoring the show, allowing free admission.