Local woman’s stained glass art now on display at OC Volunteer Library
The stained glass artwork of Gainesville resident Janice Culp is currently on display at the Ozark County Volunteer Library’s visiting artists exhibits. The work will be up for the next couple months, organizers say.
Many of Janice Culp’s stained glass piece incorporate horseshoes, along with intricate patterns and designs. The pieces are for sale at the library while they are on display.
Janice Culp has some larger rectangle stained glass pieces on display including this colorful glass piece titled, “Birds and Berries.” It is for sale for $55. Culp’s work will be on display at the library over the next couple months.
The intricate stained glass art of Gainesville resident Janice Culp is now displayed at the Ozark County Volunteer Library as part of the organization’s visiting artist exhibits. The exhibit will be up for the next few months, exhibit organizers say.
“I am a native of the southeast, having been born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Georgia,” Culp explains in her artist’s biography, also on display at the library. “I have degrees in art education and radiologic science. I worked in imaging technologies for 30 years, but art has always been my creative outlet. I am now retired and looking forward to pursuing all my art interests.
“My grandmother was my greatest artistic influence. As a kindergarten teacher, she spent a lot of her time making costumes, stuffed toys and crocheted jewelry. I have her to thank for my love of tactile arts.
“I started learning stained glass in 1990 in Colorado and over the years have been creating unique stained glass horseshoe art. Although I enjoy working with stained glass, I was getting restless and ready to try something new. In 2010, I took two fused glass jewelry classes in Taos, New Mexico and loved it. I currently create dichroic fused glass jewelry and stained glass creations in my home studio in Gainesville.”
Janice’s stained glass pieces are hanging from each of the interior windows within the library, colors glinting when the sun shines.
“I love the imagery of painting, drawing and photography, but I prefer a medium I can touch. Stained glass is the art medium of choice for my personal expression and enjoyment...”
“I create my images by choosing glass for color and texture; cutting and grinding the glass; foiling each piece of glass and soldering the pieces in place. Lastly, I brush black patina on the solder lines. Although it is a very involved and time consuming process, I find it relaxes me. The resulting brilliance of the finished product makes the effort I put in worth while,” she said in her artist statement.
Her jewelry work also fits the bill for a hands-on artistic process. “I strive to make my jewelry fun, unique and elegant. I want women to feel comfortable wearing my jewelry with jeans and a tee shirt or a glamorous gown and anything in between.
“An important goal in creating my jewelry has been to keep it affordable. I strive to keep costs on my supplies as low as possible so I can pass that savings on to customers. I don’t think you should have to spend a lot of money to have a beautiful piece of jewelry.
“I am continuously trying new techniques and glass to keep my jewelry fresh and exciting. Nothing inspires me like the view of rolling hills and forests in the Missouri Ozarks. Exceptional beauty is everywhere!”
The stained glass pieces on display at the library are for sale, and Janice offers stained glass and jewelry through her Etsy shop, Shimmering Mesa Glass. For more information, contact her directly at shimmeringmesaglass@yahoo.com, 417-989-0969 or www.etsy.com/shop/ShimmeringMesaGlass.
The Ozark County Volunteer Library, located at the corner of Second and Elm Streets in Gainesville, is run by volunteers and operates completely on donations. The library is generally open Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. It closes at 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and at noon on Fridays and Saturdays.
Sometimes, especially in summertime, volunteers are gone on vacation or otherwise unable to open the library, organizers say that patrons should call the library at 417-679-4442 before making a special trip into town. If there is no answer, the library is likely closed.
For more information on the visiting artist program and how to participate, contact Lisa Atkinson at lisacatkinson@ gmail.com or call the Ozark County Volunteer Library at 417-679-4442.