Art Speaks: Glass

Wildart is home to two glass artists, John Conkling and Greta Beech.

After taking an extensive glass fusion class in 2005, John’s love for fusion was born. For him, glass fusion is relaxing. He arranges the pieces of glass until he’s happy with the design before firing the forms in the kiln. “It’s always exciting to see how the piece turns out after firing, and yes, unfortunately, there are also disappointments,” John said. His nature-inspired work embraces a variety of distinctive decorative objects.

Greta learned the copper foil stained glass technique in 2000 after years of admiring a stained glass window made for her by Father Methodius of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. In 2007, she added a kiln and began fusing glass. Greta then began teaching both techniques at her home studio, and she enjoys holding workshops at WildArt making ornaments, jewelry, and bottle stoppers.

by Margaret Warfield – Artist