"From This to That"

 

In 2011 the Schack Art Center added the Arts Advocate of the Year Award to recognize a leader in arts education/mentoring and community involvement who demonstrates forward thinking and enthusiasm for the visual arts.

The first annual recipient of the Arts Advocate Award is Snohomish artist and arts educator Janet Foley. Community members who submitted nominations noted that Janet "tirelessly volunteers and promotes the arts in Snohomish County. She has continuously supported and mentored local artists through events and collaborations. Her dedication has been a major reason why Snohomish County has such a vibrant, diverse, and generous arts community."

Janet Foley is a fused and kiln forming glass artist from Snohomish, WA. Working from her home studio she creates kaleidoscopic one-of-a-kind custom designs and provides one-on-one and small in-studio classes and teaches throughout the community.  

Janet's newest work includes unique fractal designs that complement kiln formed and glass blown creations. Using a small kiln she makes Zanfirico and Murrine cane. Zanfirico is a process of making a glass cane by assembling a bundle of different colored pieces of glass and heating them until soft. The glass is then twisted and elongated, resulting in a glass rod with a spiral pattern. Murrine cane is created when a cut exposes the inside of the cane. Janet then cross cuts the glass cane.  These cross cuts can be used to make infinite designs, patterns, and fractals on blown glass vessels or kiln formed glass art pieces. Millefiore is a familiar example of this style of cane.

For the past 12 years Janet has used her background in early childhood education to provide technical and artistic consultation for K-12 schools, art schools, museums, and individual artists. Janet takes her portable fused glass teaching module on the road to classrooms and art festivals. Her fused glass kiln forming program is designed to make math and science fun for all ages.

Janet's strength is her ability to create a positive and exciting learning experience. She captures her audience's interest and inspires curiosity, while imparting a greater understanding of glass and the science behind it. In 2007 her abilities earned her the honor of selection by the Washington State Arts Commission to join the roster of Teaching Artists.

Janet's work in public and private schools, youth-at-risk programs, and adult education programs, has earned her several honors and acknowledgements from the community, including 2005 Arts Council of Snohomish County Volunteer of the Year, and most recently the 2011 Schack Art Center's Art Advocate of the Year.

October 27 – November 20, 2011

Schack Art Center Main Gallery