Glass sculptor Kelly O’Dell grew up on Hawaii, interested in marine biology. In college, she first majored in mathematics.
In the end, however, O’Dell, the daughter of artists, earned a bachelor of fine arts degree and learned how to blow glass.
Science and math never left this glass artist, however, and O’Dell, 43, delivers a cautionary ecological message with an eclectic body of work she will show this summer as one of the featured artists at the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner. Her exhibit, Transient (H)ours, opens July 1 in the Benaroya Glass Gallery at MoNA.
It includes glass and multi-media pieces such as “Critical Masse,” a group of ghost-white glass figures of endangered animals displayed as trophy heads.
In a quote from the most recent MoNA newsletter, O’Dell said people can change the bleak predictions of extinction of various species.
“We can share our knowledge, heed science and make changes in our daily lives to make this transient hour lead to a decent life for our children,” she said. “There is still much work to be done. Each day matters.”
Fossils of extinct ammonites and the cephalopods of today provide inspiration for O’Dell’s work, as do the plants and weeds in her garden.
The exhibit also includes flora and fauna prints in metal displayed in shadow boxes made from charred wood. Be sure to see the halved glass ammonite shells embedded in glass bricks, along with the tattooed orange peels.
“My work is a bit all over the place, but I love experimentation,” O’Dell said.
While earning her bachelor’s from the University of Hawaii, O’Dell got a scholarship to attend and work at the world-famous Pilchuck Glass School in north Snohomish County. That’s where she met her mentors, including well-known glass artist William Morris and his team, and her husband, the emerging glass master Raven Skyriver.
“Pilchuck was life-changing,” she said.
O’Dell, Skyriver and their son, Wren, nearly 7, live within walking distance of Pilchuck and serve as caretakers of the William Morris farm.
They are busy. Skyriver is demonstrating his work July 7 and 8 at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. He also is part of an invitational glass show opening July 1 at the Smith &Vallee Gallery in Edison. On top of the MoNA show, O’Dell is about to start one of her stints as a gaffer (glass blower for others) at Pilchuck. The couple enjoys teaching and helping their friends in the greater glass community in Western Washington.
“It’s a good life,” O’Dell said.
Summer at the Museum of Northwest Art
121 First St., La Conner; 360-466-4446; www.monamuseum.org; free.
Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
From July 1 to Sept. 24, see the exhibits Transient (H)ours by Stanwood-area glass artist Kelly O’Dell; Painting, Drawing and Sculpture by Whiting Tennis; and Art and Archives from the late Clayton James.
Hear O’Dell talk about her work at 1 p.m. July 30 at MoNA.
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