Carol Lahy, Winter Springs, Florida (407) 327-7050 Fused Glass Artist
Carol Lahy was born in Pittsburgh and spent her childhood in Western Pennsylvania. She attended Michigan State University and received her bachelor's degree with high honors. After moving to Wisconsin in 1977, she continued to develop her artistic vision in stained glass, and gave demonstrations in local schools and was artist-in-residence at the Prairie School in Racine. In 1989 Carol moved to Winter Springs, FL, where she now makes her home.
Carol became interested in glass as an artistic medium in 1975. During the next ten years she designed and executed dozens of one-of-a-kind stained glass panels and windows. These often contained exquisitely detailed floral images, as well as birds and seashells.
In 1986 she became fascinated with the process of glass fusing. Excited by the artistic possibilities of this medium, she began using the technique full-time. Forms from nature remain a major source of inspiration for her, and her work often presents natural themes in subtle colors and shadings.
She has developed as her dominant style non-representational designs in the shape of plates, platters and trays. Bold forms and striking color combinations characterize these works. Carol finds especially compelling the power and graphic quality of Amish quilts, and uses this theme as a starting point for some of her largest and most visually exciting pieces. For these she fabricates a variety of patterned glass to use as elements in the completed work.
Her award-winning fused glass has been exhibited extensively in the Midwest and Florida. Her work is considered by some to be among the best examples of the craft.