What is a Gwacie?
By day I'm a mild mannered beadmaker......but by night I'm a crazed bead makin' maniac
What is a "gwacie" you ask? Well, technically, I am a "gwacie" (gway-cee) which is to say I am a not terribly gRaceful woman who is blessed with a playful personality. I love beautiful things and fun things, and most especially beautifully fun things. Gwacie is my nickname and Bethany is my "real" name. You can use either. To make this an offical and boring about me page I'm going to include all the fancy schmancy artist stuff next. I doubt I'll get back to updating this boring stuff very often though, so it may or may not be current when you are reading it. Just imagine that in addition to whatever I write below, I've done lots of really fun artist-type stuff since my last update. For some REALLY interesting stuff go look at my beads. They are a lot more fun than the boring mumbo jumbo we call professionalism. Just sayin...
Resume and Process Statement - a.k.a. the serious stuff...
Glass Art by Bethany Adams
The really great thing about glass art is that in the creation of the pieces I am able to merge my love of color and shape along with my passion for the sheer basic chemistry of the process. A single finished piece can often take hours to make, involving a complex process of design, element creation and merging via shaping molten glass over an oxygen-propane torch flame, hand work and polishing and a variety of other steps. To add detail to my work, I custom mix special colors, pulling them into detailed small rods of multicolored of glass. By combining these custom elements with layers of transparent colors, depth is created in the pieces, capturing the play of light against elegant opaque nuances.
After the glass has been annealed in a kiln to remove any internal stress often the piece is then blended into unique completed designs. Fused pieces are often 'cold worked' during this phase for additional finish and shape. Many pieces undergo several steps involving re-firing, polishing, shaping depending upon final intended form.
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. For several years my creative focus was on landscape design and tapestry arts, with jewelry making as a side line until I discovered glass. In addition, I spent several years working in corporate America in information technology roles, however in 2005 I took a chance and exited the world of office cubicles in order to explore my art more completely. It is a decision I will never regret!
Education:
1997 B.A. English Literature Agnes Scott College, Decatur GA
Additional studies:
2006 Dallas Lovitt - Caged Bead Styles, Plymouth, MI
2006 W. Schuck - Chainmaking Techniques, Farmington Hills, MI
2005 Larry Scott - Advanced Lampworking Techniques, focus Precision. Berkley, MI
2004 Jennifer Geldard - Advanced Lamwporking Techniques, focus Enamals. Berkley, MI
2004 Barry Edwards - Intensive Silversmithing Techniques, Chicago, IL
2003 Jayne Persico - Embossing, Hot Glass Horizons Workshop, Corning New York
2003 Kerry Transtrum Painting with Light, Hot Glass Horizons Workshop, Corning New York
2003 Vicki Day - Kiln Casting, Hot Glass Horizons Workshop, Corning New York
2003 Allison Parks - Wirework Basics, Southfield, MI
2002 Glass Studio Workshop with Don Miller, University of Michigan
2001 Private Studies with Mari Johnson, Hot Glass instructor
2001-Present Glass Demonstrations by Sharon Peters, Kim Fields, Mavis Smith, Lisa Walsh, Doug Remschneider and various other glass artists
1994 LA Design Studies, University of Kentucky
1985 Advanced Sewing Techniques, Sue Kardynski, Carlsbad, CA
1980-1985 Performance Art and Clowning, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Awards:
2004 Purchase Award, Orion Art Center, Lake Orion Flower Festival, Lake Orion, Michigan
2003 Honorable Mention "Art in the Village", Livonia, Michigan
2003 1st Place "Orion Art Festival", Lake Orion, Michigan
Affiliations Past and Present:
International Society of Glass Bead Makers
International Guild of Glass Artists
Glass Act, ISGB local guild
Orion Art Center, member
Solo Exhibitions/Commissions:
2004 Live process demonstration and display of work, Snowflake Ball, Lake Orion, MI
2003 Biddle Gallery Featured Artist Trunk Show, Biddle Gallery, Wyandotte, MI
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2006 Ayla's Bead Shows, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio area shows
2006 Bead Mercantile Shows, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky area shows
2005-2006 Spring & Fall Bead Bonanza, Southfield, MI
2005 January - Intergalactic Bead Show, Lansing, MI
2004 May - Southfield City Art Festival, Southfield, MI
2003 December - Glass Act Winter Boutique, Brighton, MI
2003 August - Lake Orion Art Festival, Lake Orion, MI
2003 August - Ferndale Sumer Art Festival, Ferndale, MI
2003 June - Art in the Village @ Greenmead, Livonia, MI
2003 June - Art in the Woods, Huntington Woods, MI
2003 March - Bead Bonanza, Southfield MI
2002 December - Detroit SYmphony Orchestra Holiday Boutique, Troy, MI
Publications:
2004 - ThrowAway - Zine Issue Two, "Too Much To Take Care Of" special publication
2004 - Sand and Fire Calendar, Wet Canvas Glass Community Calendar
for it on artzee.com!
Fun Facts:
