Artist of the Month, July 2024

Mary Ellen Larkins, a gifted talent and popular glass designer of C’ville Arts, explores the inspiring and magical aspects of fused glass. She will be at the gallery to share her glowing new collection during the Historic Downtown Mall’s First Friday celebration on July 5, from 5 – 7 pm.

“Twenty-five years ago, I fell in love with fused glass.” Mary Ellen recalls the early days, “gradually, I moved beyond the artful geometry into more lyrical representations and landscapes of wonderful trees. This technique involves “layering three sheets of glass with numerous cuts in the glass to allow for the trees and adding extra components. Countless colored and patterned layers are created on sheets of glass, and sequentially fired in a 1480-degree kiln to form deep images. After firing, I add gold liquid and some enamel paint to create fine details. My life would be poorer without glass. Its beauty transports me to a place of tranquility and allows me to forget, for a while at least, the troubles of the world.”

Larkins builds layers of rich color and splendor that reflect her decades of experience. Her designs take a solid understanding of fused glass techniques, avoiding fractures, unwanted bubbles, color anomalies, and many other negative outcomes. She has carefully developed a successful strategy that produces a radiant peacefulness flowing from one piece to another in her latest work.

All of Mary Ellen’s eye-catching designs make her work hard to resist. On July 5, and through the rest of the month, the depth and breadth of her experience will be on display at C’ville Arts.  Come see the show!

To learn more about Mary Ellen, visit her web site www.maryellenlarkins.com

*Photographs taken by Gerry Bishop, living and working in Charlottesville.

For additional information, contact Genevieve Story at 434-972-9500.  The gallery’s web site is www.cvillearts.org. The C’ville Arts Cooperative Gallery, located on the historic Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, is open Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Lisa Woods

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