Charleston Crafts Cooperative Gallery to Present “It’s HOT in Town”

By: Tammy Rudd

The Charleston Crafts Gallery is spotlighting three of their artists producing craft that has been made with the application of heat. Specifically, torch molded glass, kiln made warm glass, and kiln fired ceramics will be represented. The Gallery will host an Open House in conjunction with Art Walk in Charleston, on Friday, September 1st, from 5 pm to 8 pm.

Tammy Rudd produces intricate flameworked glass beads as the focus of her fabulous jewelry designs. To create these exquisitely detailed works of art, Tammy is seated before a fixed torch flame, using one hand to turn the molten bead on its metal rod in the flame, while expertly plying an array of colored glass rods with the other hand, meticulously forming the colorful and complex

By: Tanya Craig

designs that make her work so distinctive. When the design is completed, the bead is slowly cooled for hours in a specialized kiln; a process called annealing, which hardens the glass and makes it very durable.

Tanya Church Craig creates fused glass artwork.  Fused glass is also referred to as kiln formed or warm glass. She has been working in glass for 20 years. Tanya’s artwork is both functional, and fanciful at times. She uses abstract artist as inspiration in the way she uses color and layering of color. Tanya states “each piece, no matter how simple looking, required a layering of glass and several trips into the kiln to melt the glass pieces together”.   Her thrill in the process shows through in her unique artwork. All her pieces are one of a kind.

Anne John creates decorative and functional art pieces; her ceramics are wheel thrown from porcelain and stoneware clay bodies. Anne distinguishes her work with the addition of finely detailed decorative elements, such as realistic hand sculpted birds, organic forming and shaping, and precise placement of

By: Anne John

glaze applications. Her pieces are fired in a reduction gas kiln, which takes the oxygen out of the air inside the kiln and allows her to achieve vibrant hues in her red and shino glazes. In addition to being a member of Charleston Crafts, Anne John is a co-owner and instructor at Cone 10, a working clay studio on Upper Meeting Street in Charleston.

The highlighted artists will be on display during the entire month of September. While these talented artists will be featured, the work of all Gallery members will also be on display in the new larger space and all art is available for purchase, including jewelry, wood puzzles, encaustic paints, fiber art, mixed media collage, apparel and accessories, plus functional and decorative objects in wood, ceramic, and glass. Their new location has also afforded us the opportunity to jury-in additional new talented artisans to the growing Fine Crafts Cooperative.

Recently relocated to 140 East Bay Street, just a few blocks from Rainbow Row. 

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us