Visiting Artist Lecture: RICHARD LA LONDE "My Glass Ceiling"

This Visiting Artist Lecture is in conjunction with Richard La Londe's "Fused Glass art & Technique" weekend Workshop. This lecture is FREE and open to the public!

Richard La Londe is known for his brightly colored images drawn with crushed glass and fused into murals and vessels.He was one of the original glass fusing instructors for Bullseye Glass Company, and over the years, he has taught at Pilchuck Glass School and conducted national and international workshops. Richard La Londe has also written two books, Fused Glass Art and Technique  and Richard LaLonde and Friends in which he showcases pieces by himself and others, "how-to"guides, the history of glass fusing, foil techniques and more.

BIO: I was born in 1950, grew up in Vancouver, Washington and in 1972, I graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Geology where by I immediately went into art.I began fusing glass in an electric kiln in 1981. I use glass that is handmade by Bullseye Glass Company, in Portland, Oregon. In the early 1980's they created the first complete color range of glass that was compatible and when fused together didn't crack apart. I was one of the initial artists to work with this glass as it became available, and pioneered new techniques. I taught fusing for Bullseye in glass facilities around the US and in Canada from 1983 - 1988. In 1985 I taught at the Pilchuck Glass School.

Those early days were about developing techniques and finding out what I could do with the glass. After a few years I began to translate my ideas into the pictorial murals and handkerchief vessels that I am known for today. In 1984 the Corning Museum of Glass purchased one of my early vessels for its collection and I also created my first public fused glass mural for the Washington State Arts Commission, 5' high x 25' long. In the Seattle area, you may have seen my International Arrivals Gateway at the SeaTac airport. Today I live on Whidbey Island and continue to teach, exhibit in galleries, and create public and private commissions.