Look closely at "Swans in Portieux Blue," by Amber Cowan, now on view in the exhibition "Waste Not, Want Not." "Glass is a highly recyclable material making it a mainstay of reusability efforts. Yet a visit to any antique store will show that despite its renewability , a lot of glass objets d'art are gathering dust. These warehouses of vintage ornaments sustain Amber Cowan's practice, supplying her with pressed glass decor from the 'aesthetic dustbin of American design.' The artist combines these objects with leaves, flowers, and organic elements she meticulously created by flameworking scraps of industrial glass waste collected from defunct glass manufacturers. By repurposing consumer relics, Cowan ties different periods to the present, illustrating that economic, aesthetic, and environmental factors have been intertwined with industry and domesticity throughout America's history." Pictured above, a full image and close up of "Swans in Portieux Blue," 2024, by Amber Cowan. This piece is made of flame worked antique glass, American pressed glass, custom scientific glass dome, and mixed media. Photo by Bill Kipp (fb)

We have wonderful news to share with you! Fuller Craft Museum is proud to announce a $7 million gift from The Windgate Foundation, to establish two endowments and to support an upcoming capital project, marking the largest philanthropic contribution in the Museum’s history. The generous endowments will enhance programming and expand educational initiatives, and will support the museum’s curatorial department. Please note that an endowment is a financial donation made to an institution with the intention of it being used in perpetuity. The money donated is typically invested, and the earnings from the investment are used to help fund the organization’s mission. This transformative gift was made by The Windgate Foundation through the Arkansas Community Foundation, for the benefit of Fuller Craft Museum. This gift helps to ensure that Fuller Craft Museum continues to inspire, stimulate, and enrich our community and our audiences for generations to come. All of us at Fuller Craft - staff, board, and members - are so grateful to The Windgate Foundation. (fb)