Westport Land Conservation Trust
2023 Artist in Residence Ian Silvia installed 8 glass, stone and metal works throughout the trails at Westport Woods Conservation Park.
A Little Compton resident, Ian brings a lifetime of familiarity with the local ecosystem to his work. As you walk the trails, keep your eyes open for pieces that look like the elements from which they were created: roots, mushrooms, crystals…even faces!
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Just off the carriage path by the children’s garden are three installations of roots, fern, and crystals.
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Along the yellow path you can find shelves of mushrooms in trees and sprouting along a stone wall.
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The carriage path hides faces and a large head lies, as if toppled, beyond the historic bridge, just as the yellow path picks up on the east side of the meadow.
"As an artist, I am an avid collector of visual information. The natural world is full of wonders, and I don’t have to travel far to observe its beautiful hues and patterns—they are right outside of my door. The veins of a leaf, a delicate spider web, the texture of ice or the subtle colors of the dawn sky are captivating to me. By observing these phenomena, I feel a connection to the elemental processes and animating forces of all life. When I see something that intrigues me, I begin to take it apart in my mind, considering how I might translate it into glass. Parts and details can become whole avenues of exploration unto themselves, moving the finished work far beyond the source. Art is how I explore the world and satisfy my sense of curiosity.
My work is rooted in the Venetian glass-working traditions in which I was trained; I use processes such as cane, incalmo and murrine that are familiar to any student of historical glass, but I present them in innovative and unexpected ways. For me, they are a vocabulary from which I can build something new. I often create works in series, which allows me to develop and refine sculptural forms such as the “Droplets” with variation in color and pattern. This practice is extended in the wall panels, where I find I can explore drawing and composition most directly. The freedom to move between two and three dimensions in my current work is really exciting.
The works in “Phenomena” are connected by their origins in my observations of the natural world, filtered through a lens of fantasy. While the techniques used to create them are sophisticated and complex, it is my hope that the finished pieces contain a bit of the mystery and wonder that I find in nature."
— Nancy Callan
March 2022
"Morgan Peterson graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a dual degree in 2006. Upon completion of her degrees, she relocated to Seattle, WA. United States, to pursue a career and continue her education and advancement in the arts. Morgan has worked for many notable artists, including Buster Simpson and Bruce Mau, and is a full-time team member for Dale Chihuly. She is heavily involved with Pratt Fine Arts and Pilchuck Glass School, not only as a member of the staff but also as an instructor. Her work has developed inside and outside these industrial spaces into a unique system of metaphor and imagery based on themes of satire through pop culture and addiction.
Morgan was included in The Young Glass Exhibition, hosted by the Glasmuseet Ebeltoft, which is an international competition that only occurs once a decade. She has also participated in multiple group shows in 2019, including Pittsburg Glass Center, The Habatat Invitational, CHROMA (Nashville, TN.), Traver Gallery (Seattle, WA.), REFRACT (Seattle’s Glass Art Fair), and the Irish Glass Biennale (Dublin also in 2023). In 2020 and 2022, Morgan exhibited virtual solo shows through Habatat in Royal Oaks, MI. She completed her first in person solo exhibition at Method Gallery, Seattle, WA, in October 2021."
During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we invite you to an evening of information, sisterhood, and glassblowing.
Special Guests Speakers
Elizabeth Leach, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Lead Nurse Practitioner at Cuda Breast Care Center
Dr. Naomi Kalliath, Breast Surgeon at Cuda Breast Care Center and Falmouth Breast Care Center
They will be discussing overall breast wellness and strategies for managing breast cancer.
Event Highlights Open Artist Studio: Watch leading women glassblowers showcase their talents with live demonstrations. You'll have the chance to ask questions of both the artists and medical experts!
Why We’re Hosting This Event:
In March 2024, Kate Thomas, the Sandwich Glass Museum’s Resident Glassblower, discovered a lump during a self-breast exam. Following a series of tests, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to undergo a double mastectomy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Now cancer-free, Kate’s desire to share her story and offer support to others facing similar challenges initiated The Pink Pumpkin Event.
Supporting a Cause: A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Cape Cod Women's Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Fund at Cape Cod Healthcare. This fund helps patients cover the costs of diagnostic testing not paid for by health insurance.
Remember: If you're facing a breast cancer diagnosis, you are not alone. Let’s come together and embrace the healing power of women!
The profits were donated to the care center at Cuda breast cancer center and Falmouth breast cancer Center. $14,000 dollars was raised by our amazing supporters. Thank you for support women's health!
Designed by Kate Thomas, a team of female artist created this unique female figure. This piece was auction off to a survivor.