Ann is our glassblower and was the first artist to
officially join the gallery. I realized the other day that I have not
introduced her on the Tornado Tavern Gallery blog, so here it is.
Ann specializes in fine handmade glass art bowls, hand-blown
and carved. The bowl openings range from about 6 inches up to 8 inches in
diameter and about 4 inches high. The bowls are beautiful and seem very sturdy.
She also provide us with three varieties of blown sun catchers
that could double as celebration tree ornaments. Opps, celebration tree ??, don’t get the wrong idea I’m not trying
to be politically correct at the expense of Christmas. I’m simply including the
growing use of decorated trees for other holidays, celebrations, and
acknowledgments like; Easter, birthdays, wedding, new births, spring, personal
milestones, fun, and so on. Ann also makes wine bottle stoppers with her
specially designed aluminum and gasket seal.
Ann started out making stained glass in her high school
years and soon came to the attention of her high school teacher, and who would
become her mentor, Jim Lesnick (sic). When Mr. Lesnick became aware of Ann’s
love for glass he arranged for a class field trip to a local glass blower’s
studio. When they arrived at the studio, Mr. Lesnick introduced Ann to the
artist. The artist soon had Ann blowing glass and Ann was in love with the art.
To this day Ann includes Mr. Lesnick as one of her heroes.
Ann went on to UW River Falls for her Bachelor of Arts
degree in 1985. In her 28 year career Ann has worked for other artist and
rented studio space for her own work. Then in 2011 she finally built her own
studio.
Ann’s life, outside of glassblowing is just as
magical. She followed her parent’s interest in theater and has worked,
professionally, behind and in front of the scenes and still occasionally helps out
with small theater. Ann has also participated in professional dance troupes and
occasionally favors her friends with an impromptu belly dancing demonstration. She
is the mother of an eighteen year old daughter and a sixteen year old son and over
the last several years she has enjoyed her second marriage with a wonderful man
named Scott.
