18th annual Galaxy of Glass deemed 'best one ever'

When 125 art aficionados got their first glimpse of the 18th annual Galaxy of Glass show at the opening reception Sept.12 at the Fallbrook Art Center, comments including "best one ever" and "amazing" resonated through the Janice Griffiths Gallery.

Glass collectors Harlan and Olivia Fischer traveled from their home in upper New York state to attend the opening. "It was an honor to have them attend," said Mary Perhacs, executive director of the art center. "They have an amazing glass art collection and Harlan is the president of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass. Their support of our efforts, not only with the show, but the development of our new Warm Glass Studio at our Fallbrook School of the Arts, means so much."

Founded by Fallbrook resident and artist Merrill Everett, the Galaxy of Glass has gained notoriety and steadily gained momentum over its 18 years.

"This one of the center’s longest running annual shows and continues to attract new artists eager to participate as well as collectors and art appreciators alike," explained Perhacs. "The show has over 150 pieces of original glass art created by 19 regional glass artists including sculptures, architectural wall installations, vases, vessels, and goblets that have been created using a myriad of processes including hot blown, cast, fused, slumped, carved, and assembled."

For this year's show, Everett, along with son Chris created a special new series – 'Orbs 2015.’ It features hot, blown glass wall sconces that come alive with LED lighting. "The battery-powered lights allow the orbs to hang anywhere," said Perhacs. "The works range from monochromatic to vividly colored and are mesmerizing."

Like Everett, other returning artists to the show have made innovative and exciting pieces for 2015.

Fallbrook’s Bruce Stowell has presented a seven-foot totemic work he calls "Communication Balance," incorporating a series of opalescent blown glass pieces stacked with vintage glass telephone insulators.

"Michael Hermann and Gina Lunn’s Venetian-inspired blown glass lidded goblets are intricate and amazingly beautiful," said Perhacs.

"Akoko Okeyo works with a dental drill on crystal (this year she has several pieces on multi-colored Kosta Boda) creating dimensional images of African wildlife, flowers, and dragonflies," added Perhacs.

An intriguing piece is Dick Ditore's new series of knives including "Nobility," made from kiln-formed glass, which he then cuts and carves," said Perhacs. And those are just a few of the many sights to behold.

Five artists were welcomed to this year's show for the first time: Suzanne Balestri, Christine Bolger, Susan Hirsch, Nanci Schrieber-Smith, and Tana Simmons. "Balestri, Bolger, Hirsch and Simmons all work in fused glass but each with their own distinctive point of view – from vibrant geometric patterns to more muted subtle presentations ranging from architectural wall installations to functional platters," noted Perhacs.

A shop section within the show features desirable glass jewelry, bead work, platters, perfumers, paperweights and much more.

A special tribute is contained within this year's Galaxy of Glass show as well. "We are paying tribute to Marty Marshall, a longtime San Diego glass artist who passed away suddenly last year," said Perhacs. "His wife Jean was at the reception to talk about Marty’s three final works she generously loaned to the show."

Galaxy of Glass is an opportunity for visitors to see and purchase fine art glass. Major funding for the show was provided by Fallbrook Propane Gas Co. and the Everett Family.

Open daily through Oct. 25, show hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 3 p.m. General admission is $6; art center members and active military are free. The funds benefit the nonprofit art center.

Admission also includes "The Touch of the Human Hand," a show of pastels by Beverly Sinclair Thordarson in the Rosalie & Spencer Lehmann Gallery and "Arbitrary Charm," a show of paintings and monoprints by Gabriele Bitter in The Salon Gallery.

The Fallbrook Art Center is located at the corner of Main Avenue and Alvarado Street. Call (760) 728-1414 or visit www.fallbrookartcenter.org for additional information.