Highspire Rest Stop on the PATurnpike
 

I just finished up a project with Steelton Highspire High School. Wow, this was so different than what we normally do. One of the stipulations of the project was that it had to be subject matter about the surrounding area. When you have up to twenty pairs of hands going at one time, it is a little difficult to manage super specific pictures.  These students pulled it off. 

We spent the first two days making tiles.  All tiles were white and became the clouds. Always, love this part.  

It's funny, I have been thinking about doing the capitol dome for quite a while. I never imagined it in a residency but here we are. In every other residency I have ever done, I take in blank boards and the design is usually drawn by students or teachers.  This was so specific and with limited time, so I drew it before I got there. You cannot imagine how crazy it is to keep three shades of grey straight when you have 4 people at a time working on it... then the people change every 40 minutes. The number one rule is always "Don't lay tools on the glass."  There's a little oops shown above, ha ha. 

  

PA turnpike has installed this in their Highspire Plaza. A really cool thing about this project is that tomorrow Steelton Highspire students who worked on this mosaic will be going on a field trip to see their work now that its installed. I hope I can sleep tonight; I just can't wait! Then on top of that, PA Turnpike is throwing in pizza! 

I have sincere gratitude for Pennsylvania Council on the arts, PA Turnpike, and Capital Area Intermediate Unit for making this project happen.  I am so blessed.

Dawson Residency of March 2021

It has been such a long time since I worked with kids.  Dawson School in Colorado was the first residency that I ever did out of my own state.  When I travel long distance, it is a challenge to make sure I have everything because I don't go home at night.  In this residency I was not only away from my shop the whole time, but I had to pack all tools to fly and purchase materials after I arrived. The design had to be adapted to what I was able to purchase.  Luckily, one of the best glass stores in the country, D&L Glass Supply was close by.  This residency was only five days which made things a bit hairy, but then the first day was cancelled due to a blizzard! These guys were fantastic and they pulled it off!

Dawson's was another project based on my favorite recipe.  Kids get to make tiles with few limitations.  Then we use those tiles to make the mosaic.  I was waiting to blog about it because I hoped to have a photo of it installed... not yet.

This mosaic had plenty of mirror and iridescent so it really twinkles as one walks past. I have been wanting to do a DNA strand for years and Dawson lived up to my expectations.  My daughter-in-law works at Dawson and I was fortunate enough to work with her on this project.  Next residency, I will be working with my granddaughter in my own state!