PILCHUCK GLASS SCHOOL FOSTERS AND EDUCATES A DIVERSE WORLDWIDE COMMUNITY THAT EXPLORES THE CREATIVE USE OF GLASS IN ART AND DESIGN.
These unique earrings are made by local Seattle artist, Kait Rhoads. Kait is a well renowned artist represented all over the world.
Artist Statement:
My work is inspired by nature and informed by memory. And, three oceans—the Caribbean, the Indian and the Pacific–delineate the imaginative boundaries of my practice.
I grew up on the water of the Caribbean in a ship with my family where my deep affinity for biological systems began. I lived surrounded by nature; the liquid light and aquatic life imprinted upon my senses. The sculptures I create emanate from my early experiences within and curiosity about the natural world. While exploring the waters around Bali, I experienced the extraordinary biodiversity and extensive architecture of coral colonies there. This has been a deep influence on my sculptural forms and process of making.
The cold, deep green waters of Puget Sound are a more recent source of inspiration in my work. Since moving to the Northwest over two decades ago, my fascination extended from coral colonies to kelp forests. Seaweed’s pliable forms continually inspire me—they stretch up from the depths, undulate in the shallows, and lie on tidal surfaces. Aquatic life infuses my sculptures with animated forms, sparkling surfaces and faceted exoskeletons.
My method of construction mirrors how my life has formed me, with individual elements woven together to create a strong whole. I consider the individual units, conical hexagonal forms known as hollow murrine, as architectural elements that fit together to create a fluid or floating object. The concept of the work develops slowly, and the production of a complicated piece can take months to years to complete.
I desire my work to be emotionally affective—that it evokes for audiences a similar sense of wonder in our blue planet that continues to inspire me. And even, perhaps, to instill a desire to conserve our fragile aquatic ecosystems.
***HOLIDAY SHIPPING***
Holiday orders placed on or before 12/21/23 will go out in this calendar year. Orders placed after, will be shipped in early Jan.
Thank you for shopping with and supporting Pilchuck Glass School! As you may know, Pilchuck is located in a remote location which can effect packing time. Please anticipate orders taking up to 5 business days to be packed. To reduce excess packaging, any orders made that include a pre-sale item, will be shipped together when the pre-sale item is available.
All sales are final. In the event a product is damaged in transit, a return or exchange may be offered.
To be eligible for a refund or exchange, customer must contact Pilchuck at storekeeper@pilchuck.org within 14 days of the product arrival to coordinate returning the item and getting a replacement shipped to you. If a replacement is not available, a refund will be offered.
Visit our website at www.pilchuck.org
Pilchuck Glass School is an international center for glass art education. Our serene campus in Stanwood, Washington, is nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains amidst a working tree farm.
From May through September every year, Pilchuck's Summer + Fall Program offers a series of courses as well as residencies for established artists in all media. Summer sessions vary in length and offer concurrent courses in a variety of glassworking processes for artists of all skill levels. Small classes taught by world-renowned artists and instructors emphasize experimentation and teamwork while fostering individual initiative and expression.
Pilchuck also offers residencies for both emerging and established artists during the Fall and Spring.
New and experienced artists alike often make tremendous conceptual and artistic progress in their short time at Pilchuck. Combining a deep focus on glass, access to a variety of resources, a picturesque Pacific Northwest setting and an ever-expanding international community of artists, Pilchuck has become the most comprehensive educational center in the world for glass artists.