Artist Statement
My fascination with art began with a love of dance in its various forms. Dancing fostered a respect for process and an excitement in self-expression through movement. In college, I was introduced to weaving, another physical art form requiring coordination and patterning. Working with fibers further opened my eyes to other craft-based art and working with my hands; from there I discovered blown glass.
I see blown glass as I see choreography, a patterned series of steps with small details to remember at each stride. Like dance, subtle changes within the process affect the outcome of the piece as a whole. In the practice and polish of both art forms one must start small, master each step or skill in correct sequence, link it all together in rhythm, and at the same time allow room for instinct and inspiration. Blown glass, like dance, often requires working in sync with a partner or on a team. The ability to read and anticipate the movement of one person or multiple people is critical in order to build a high quality finished piece.
Both the creation of a piece of glass and the performance of a piece of choreography occur in a relatively short period of time. The key is in the preparation and practice, and in frequent repetition that allows for habit and intuition to form.
Glass is captivating in its ability to take on different forms according to how much and where it holds heat. It can be fluid, tacky, soft, solid. I am drawn to glass because it is a challenge to control and direct the change in texture. Dance and glass both involve a cultivated gesture that can at the same time be wildly creative and appear almost effortless. This sense of gesture guides the flow of molten glass and turns this fluid-like substance into something solid and worth celebrating.
Biography
Alex is an artist originally from Jefferson City, MO. In 2013 she graduated cum laude from Drury University, Springfield, MO, with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in Arts Administration and Fine Arts. She also holds minors in Art History and Global Studies. She was the recipient of the Departmental Distinction Award for Excellence in Fine Arts her senior year. She first became interested in glass while in college, often spending time at the local hot shop just around the corner from her apartment. After completing her undergraduate studies, Alex continued her education at The Appalachian Center for Craft, a satellite campus of Tennessee Technological University. There she completed a three-year program finishing with a certificate in glass in May of 2016. Alex was initially hired as an intern at Silver Dollar City, Branson, MO, for the summer of 2015. She returned as a full-time employee to Silver Dollar City after completing her final year at the Appalachian Center for Craft. Alex worked three years total with Silver Dollar City in the glass shop demonstrating for guests of the park, making production work, as well as doing equipment repair and maintenance in the off-season. Working with glass absorbs her because of the physicality it requires, the complexity of the process, the ability to work with her hands, and recognizing that subtle changes can greatly affect the outcome.