Join us at Traver Gallery for a casual meet-and-greet with the artists during Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience on Friday, October 18th, from 11–1 pm.
Traver Gallery and Chihuly Garden and Glass are thrilled to present a groundbreaking exhibition featuring the latest works by Blown Away episode winners Gemma Hollister and Karen Willenbrink-Johnson, alongside series winner Morgan Peterson. This unique gallery exhibition emerged from a Chihuly-inspired episode of the celebrated glassblowing competition, Blown Away, judged by Michelle Bufano, Executive Director of Chihuly Garden and Glass. In this special team challenge, contestants crafted monumental, nature-themed glass sculptures, vying for a $10,000 prize and the opportunity to exhibit their works during Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience. which begins on Friday, October 17th, 2024. Click here to learn more about Refract.
Each of the three exhibiting artists bring a distinct vision and narrative to the medium of glass. Gemma Hollister’s pieces offer a critique of modern capitalism, using glass as a material for thought-provoking works such as Hitchbot in Paradise, a stained-glass tribute to the ill-fated robot that successfully hitchhiked across Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands with hopes of hitchhiking across the United States. Morgan Peterson will present a series of cameo portraits of Seattle-based drag queens highlighting ideals of feminine beauty, alongside works from her renowned Designer Drug series and new pieces inspired by her experience on Blown Away. Karen Willenbrink-Johnson’s brings her deep connection to nature to life through glass, with vibrant, dynamic sculptures that reflect the beauty and vitality of the natural world.
Traver Gallery and Chihuly Garden and Glass are honored to provide a platform for these artists, each of whom has made a significant impact on the contemporary glass art landscape. This exhibition not only celebrates their achievements on Blown Away but also their continued contributions to the field of glassmaking.
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CLICK HERE to view the exhibition
