Karen Gola

Glass

Karen was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. In the early 1970’s she began her glass career at the SilianoffStudio in Pittsburgh, making stained glass windows for institutions throughout the US. She also sold her own pieces in local galleries.

In the late 70’s, after moving to Maine, she continued to sell her work through galleries. Once in Maine she became a professional engineer and worked on large construction projects for 25 years. However, she never gave up her glass.

In 2000, Karen discovered kiln-formed glass. She was hooked! I wanted to learn all I could about this method of working with glass. I applied and was accepted into the Studio at Corning, New York, studying under the direction of several world class artists including Steve Klein, Rudi Gritsch, Denise Stillwagon-Leone and Mark Abildgaard. Since then, I have been developing my glass-making skills and personal style.

“Karen is inspired by the pure forms in nature—the gentle curve of a leaf, the graceful movement of flowing water, the intricate patterns of a snowflake.” She says, “In glass, “I find an amazing material that can capture the organic essence of nature.”