PEGGY PETTIGREW STEWART

“Spirits of the Earth, Wind Sky & Water”

"The Storytellers"

Contemporary glass meets with old world traditions.

Peggy’s work combines unique optical crystal with scientific glass to create her Plasma Fusion Glass. She has long been fascinated and intrigued by glass and the light that passes through – the phenomenon of light waves creating color change. She continues to experiment with the material properties of translucency and transparency in this special glass. Her technique is woven into the glass to present her stories and interpretations.

Through studies and training (USA and Spain) the artist has found a “voice” and a unique glass process and technique.  She has studied at Pilchuck Glass School and Academe’ Taller in Spain.  Recently she had the privilege of working with Team Chihuly on the exhibition installation at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix AZ.   Various cultures (such as Native American) have always fascinated her. With a close friendship of a Hopi friend, she has been inspired to create her contemporary glass series “Earth Wind Sky & Water”. Through the storytelling of the Native culture and lore, she presents her interpretation through the medium of Kiln Sculpted Glass.

“Each piece in the series is about the Earth, Wind Sky & water. The face series starts by creating a life mask of the person. This series features the masks of many people, of many cultures. Each piece tells the story about life, and the circle of the spirit. I have tried to stay true to the culture and belief in each of the pieces in this glass series.” – Peggy Pettigrew Stewart, 2009

Peggy Pettigrew Stewart - 2008  "Her signature style is inspired by the culture and lore of the Hopi tribe of Arizona.  Working with native storytellers, she incorporates traditional Native stories of the Earth, Wind, Sky & Water into her glass art.  Each face is from a life mask made from the face of a tribe member.  The dramatic color changes in the glass are a visual analogy of the changes of the spirit and soul (as told in Native American cultures).  Raised in San Francisco Bay Area, now residing in Arizona for the last 30 years.  Her glass education has taken her to exotic places, which incude Spain, & Hawaii. She has also attended the famed Pilchuck International Glass School in Stanwood Washington twice. Pilchuck is the school founded by Dale Chihuly and several other leading artists.   Her work has been exhibited in museums, international galleries, and exhibits nationally and internationally.  Her work is also held in private collections in the USA and Moscow." 

August 2008:  " I have grown artistically and technically so much over the past few years. Through intenstive studies and training (across the USA & Spain), I have found a "voice" and unique process through glass.  The Native American culture has always fascinated me. Through the friendship of a Hopi friend, I have been inspired to create my series "Earth, Wind, Sky & Water". Through the storytelling of the culture and lore, I have tried to weave my interpretation into the glass.  Each piece in the series starts by a life mask of the person. This series features the mask of many people, of many cultures. The pieces tell the story about life, and the circle of the spirit. I have tried to stay true to the culture, and belief in the creation of each piece. " - Peggy 

May 2005:   "I believe that life isn't a spectator sport, and that anything is possible. I also believe that life is always changing and evolving. These are my personal truths and beliefs, These beliefs provide direction for my art.  Always I have danced to my own song, and have never been much of a follower. Over the years I have watched and stood next to the best. Then it was time to sail my own course. Like learning to sail, at first you follow the leaders around the course, then one day you set sail on your own. My glass art is both a  process and technique that is unique and original. Stepping outside the boundaries, and daring to experiment".

A special "Thank You" to:

Keith Jones, Mike Stewart, Lance Polingyouma, Jean Lutz

Without the help and support of these three very special people (& artists) I would not have been able to create my art. Through the help, ideas, and work of these, new territory has been opened.  I thank each of you from my heart.

I would also like to acknowledge a few other people, who have helped me along the way. These are people who have been special in my life:  Paula Cooperrider, Wanda Beard, Curt Reynolds, Wendy Minshall, Emory Pettigrew, Gary McClymonds, and many others who have made a difference in my life. These people inspired me to go forward, and follow my passion.