JAMES CLARK, MASTER ARTIST

Born
U.S.A., 1964

Resides
Norfolk, Virginia

Creative Vision
"I seek to attract the eye through quality and detail and capture the beauty of life, truth, and feelings through the visual form. I want the viewer to look beyond the typical utilitarian uses of a piece and recognize the capabilities and beauty of the medium itself."

Biographical Information and History,

James Clark began his career in art glass in 1980 in a part-time flameworking program, while attending high school in Chesapeake, Virginia. After graduation, he was hired full time by a top U.S. manufacturer of flame-worked glass.

In 1987, James opened a private studio to create works of his own, while maintaining full time employment.

In 1997 he began a program of self-study and research into glassblowing, fusing, and slumping, an effort which continues into the present.

In 1999, James began study of Venetian flameworking techniques under the tutelage of Italian master of Venetian glass, Emilio Santini. The same year he participated in the Dale Chihuly Regional Art of Glass Exhibit in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. For 19 weeks at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, he performed furnace-working demonstrations with students from the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) art glass program.

In 2000, James attended the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass to continue his study of Venetian furnace-working techniques with William Guderath.

In 2002, James was appointed Director of the glass program at the Bay School of the Arts in Matthews, Virginia.

In 2003, James opened Clark's Art Glass Studio in Norfolk, Virginia, where he continues to work full time creating high-quality, affordable pieces as well as award-winning works of art glass.

In 2004, James Clark won Best of Show at the Annual Peninsula Glass Guild Member Exhibit in Hampton, Virginia.

In 2005, as an honored artist at the Hudson Valley Arts Festival in Socrates, New York, he demonstrated flameworking techniques for four days.

Also in 2005, James received the Children's Choice Award at the Seawall Art Festival in Portsmouth, Virginia.

In 2006, James was invited to give a solo exhibition at the Charles H. Taylor Art Center in Hampton, Virginia. He themed his exhibit "New Directions".

Also in 2006, James received a commission to create a custom art glass piece to serve as a lifetime achievement award for the founder of Physicians for Peace.