Professor-Muse-Friend
Unbeknownst to her, she has had a continual and significant impact on my life and work.
Early in my teaching career, with my degree in drawing, painting, experimental directions and art history, I was escorted into my classroom- the glass studio. No clue.
There were five enamel kilns, a bunch of enamels, and a lot of unfamiliar looking tools. I quickly signed up for a course at St. Lawrence College and off I went that summer. I had no idea what I had signed up for. Thankfully there was no Google- ignorance is sometimes bliss. Had I known I had signed up for a master class, with one of the top enamelists in the world (who is a task master extraordinaire to boot) I may have been too intimidated to go! Ultimately, I returned for years. Fay, the incredible group of artists, and the spirit in the room provided so many learning opportunities, opened up new worlds, and instilled in me a love of glass.
The work tells stories. The narratives are personal and universal: a memory of a childhood dress, a feeling of a visit to an interment camp, a portrait of an artist friend,-Helga, the seasons, a walk through the world and of course…gardens. I know it sounds corny, but walking into the space and seeing the massive spectacular body of work before me, it took my breath away. As art can do. As her work does.
I had the absolute privilege to return to the gallery in March with Fay for some quiet time with the work. A great day- one to treasure.
Fay’s work was part of the first show at The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery and now a solo show as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations. Go see this show. It is on until 12 May 2024. The catalogue ( she gave me permission to take a few shots but photographing glass is hard - get the catalogue.) and small pieces are for sale in the shop and online.
