Paul J. Stankard – The Art of the Flame

In a career that has spanned more than 50 years, Paul Stankard has become the acknowledged master of flame-working. See the stunning Paul J. Stankard · The Art of the Flame exhibition spanning his illustrious career at WMODA. Stankard melts thin rods of colored glass with a flame-worker’s gas-fueled torch

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Sensational Saturday – All the Fun of the Fair

Families and kids of all ages had lots of fun at our Sensational Saturday program All the Fun of the Fair on October 12. Many came in costume and entered the spirit of the occasion – Halloween came early to WMODA! Linda Roberts as the Balloon Lady was kept busy

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Intriguing Masks

By Louise Irvine I have been researching the work of Paul Stankard for our upcoming exhibition in November and was intrigued by these two experimental paperweight designs featuring face masks on a mossy ground, which were acquired recently by Arthur Wiener. They seemed appropriate for our Halloween issue, so I

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A Celebration of Ceramic Art

We had a wonderful celebration of ceramic art at WMODA and the Gallery of Amazing Things last month. Fans of pottery and porcelain flew in from all over the United States and were entertained by a program of talks by international experts on Friday, September 20, followed by auction viewings,

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Fantastical Faces

The exhibition opening of The Fantasy Art of Josephine Wall was a huge success during our Celebration of Ceramic Art weekend, so much so that Dr. Pat Sager Lane will be returning for our Sensational Saturday program on October 12. In the run-up to Halloween, she will focus on the

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Creepy Crawlies

Insects might seem unusual subject matter for the fired arts, but many porcelain and glass artists have found inspiration in spiders, snails, and other creepy crawlies. Spiders are particularly associated with Halloween so beware of this Highlights if you suffer from arachnophobia! Spiders have become a symbol of Halloween as

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Downton Abbey

By Louise Irvine Last weekend I luxuriated in the new Downton Abbey movie and watched the aristocratic Crawley family prepare for a royal visit by King George V and Queen Mary. I was dazzled by all the Art Deco dresses and the elegant social rituals of the English landed gentry,

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Save the Bees

By Louise Irvine Bees have been declared the most important living beings on this planet by wildlife experts and scientists, who have added them to the endangered species list. Albert Einstein once predicted that if the bees disappear, humans would have four years to live. See how they have inspired

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Pangolins in Pottery – Ardmore

By Louise Irvine This monumental Pangolin vase is the latest Ardmore piece to join the Wiener collection. Pangolins are believed to be the world’s most illegally trafficked wild mammals. In the last few years, Fée Halsted, the founder and creative director of Ardmore Ceramic Art, has supported the cause of

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Prestigious Paperweights

Our Birdwatching at WMODA blogs continue with a closer look at the Royal Crown Derby paperweights collection, which includes an aviary of bird designs in glistening Imari patterns. Dr. Gwendolen Reasoner will be highlighting some rare birds and other animals during our Celebration of Ceramic Art on Friday, September 20. Royal Crown Derby

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