The Fish Tank Ocean Habitat Artist Collaborators
Sea Grass and Coral Sculptures
​
Donna Williamson, 55, Lakewood, WA
​
Joe Shepherd, 43, Lakewood, WA
​
Loree Carey, 62, Little Rock, WA
​
Jen Alcala’, Southern California
Jen is a Hot Shop Heroes Alumni and Fire It Forward Team member. She came to FiF after meeting at the HSH Summer Production Class. Her creative and adventurous way of facing new challenges and her diverse art background and learning adds a special touch to our workshops and community programs. When we asked her to share about herself and her experiences or words of insight, this is what she said -
"I was born and raised in Southern California. After ETSing from Army at Ft Lewis, I attended Nursing School and worked as a Registered Nurse until I was able to retire and focus on raising my 3 daughters and healing from PTSD. Art has been very therapeutic for me. Processing Trauma by creating and being embraced by the art community has proven to be more therapeutic than 20 years of therapy. I enjoy Pottery and have been a student of Mark Hudak at Throwing Mud in Tacoma. I am also grateful to Museum of Glass in Tacoma where I am a member of the Hot Shop for Heroes team and enjoy being a part of a team of other Veterans learning from professional artists in a caring environment. Working with glass has been so therapeutic and relaxing. Being around other Veterans is something to look forward to every week. "
​
Antonio Morales, 16, NE Tacoma, WA - Junior Glass Blower Family Program
​
Mason Tinsley, 17, Tacoma, WA- Junior Glass Blower Family Program
Sea turtle and cactus coral -
​
Fin, 21, Albuquerque, NM
Fin was the first apprentice that worked with us in our Lakewood hot shop. I had worked with Fin on previous art community projects and even a small local art show. We worked on a collaboration mural project in Yuma, AZ. That trip and experience was a first hand introduction to the natural beauty of the southwest, the culture and communities and making a how art is making a difference in that area. While working in FiF's shop, she help us become familiar with the many varieties of colors and the different applications of them. Her creative fascination with new medias is something she carries through to all of her art endeavors and unique style. We are still using several rare glass colors (spareingly of course!) and have a better understanding of the effects based on what she learned in her short time with us. She braved the never-ending references of mystery frit color codes and descriptions to help identify our large inventory. She now lives in Albuquerque, NM while completing her art degree.
Tropical Fish sculptures -
​
Becky Michael, 63, Tumwater, WA (boro lampworking)
Becky is one of the many glass artists I met out in the community during the pandemic. Her experience with art goes beyond just years of glass art into other industrial arts medias. She was one of the first glass artists to show me the basics of working with a torch designed to melt Boro Glass. Her sculptures of the tropical fish and sea shells are a key element of the Fish Tank Ocean Habitat and brings it all to life. to better appreciate her art and personal experiences she highlighted these-
"Multi media artist - glass blower, torch worker, stone carver, welder, potter, lover of earth and all its glorious inhabitants."
For more info about all her different art medias visit Becky's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/blmichaelfireandstone?igsh=NGhsdG50OHpnYnNy
​
Donna Williamson, 55, Lakewood, WA (soft glass lampworking)