Artist Statement

My conception of a glass piece begins with a vague idea of color or texture. As I start putting it together, it takes on a life of its own and can end up being totally different than what I had in mind at the beginning. When I work with glass I am reminded that life, like glass, is fragile. And that something shattered and broken into a million pieces can be recreated into something whole and beautiful again.

Biography

Mark spent the majority of his life as a photographer, but in 2005 discovered the art of fused glass. After starting with a small table-top kiln he quickly realized that he was meant to create larger and more complex works. Mark has continued to learn through experimentation, and through local workshops.

Curriculum Vitae      
Born           Leominster, MA
Currently    Hillsborough, NC
    
Galleries    
2024 – current Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, Hillsborough, NC
2022 – current Carolina Creations, New Bern, NC
2021 – current Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery, Winston-Salem, NC
2015 – 2016    Spectrum Art & Jewelry, Wilmington, NC
2015 – 2017    Naomi Studio and Gallery, Durham, NC
2014 – 2016    Craven Allen Gallery, Durham, NC
2014 – 2016   Hillsborough Gallery of Arts, Hillsborough, NC
2013 – 2014 Suzanne Connor Fine Arts Gallery, West Palm Beach, FL
2013 – 2014    LabourLove Gallery, Durham, NC

Shows
2023 Greenhill Gallery Winter Show (juried)
2021 Piedmont Craftmen’s Fair (juried provisional member)
2021 American Craft Council - Atlanta - online (juried)
2020 Greenhill Gallery Winter Show (juried)
2016 Greenhill Gallery Winter Show (juried)
2015 Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild (Member)
2014 Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild (provisional member)

Group Exhibitions    
2013    Exhibiting Artist, Arts & Health at Duke
2013    Exhibiting Artist, Durham Art Guild Member Show
2012    Exhibiting Artist, Arts & Health at Duke
2011     Exhibiting Artist, Arts & Health at Duke

Awards    
2014    Second Place Professional Category Arts & Health at Duke
2011    Third Place Intermediate Category Arts & Health at Duke

Education    
2023 Custom workshop with Nathan Sanberg, OnGrade Studio, Portland, OR
2020 Vitrigraph Murrine: A Foundation and Complex Vitrigraph Murrine with Nathan Sandberg, Online Video
2016 Images on Glass with Jodi Walker at Warm Glass in Clemmons, NC
2014     Some Like it Hot with Brad Walker at Warm Glass in Clemmons, NC
2010     Basic Welding for Artists, Durham Technical Community College
2004    4 Day Casting and Mold Making workshop with Dan Fenton, Durham, NC
2003    2 Day murrini workshop at Carolina Stained Glass, Durham, NC