A fine arts/environmental studies major, Atkins took a course studying a wide variety of cold-glass-working techniques, led by internationally known artist Judith Schaetcher.  The combination of the numerous and layered process-intensive techniques as well as Schaetcher’s often anti-aesthetic imagery that runs contrary to what one thinks of when they think of “stained glass” is what led to Schaetcher’s international reputation.  Atkins was awarded a student work-study scholarship to attend.

Penland School of Crafts is a national center for craft education, offering workshops of varying lengths in books & paper, clay, drawing, glass, iron, metals, photography, printmaking & letterpress, textiles and wood. The school also sponsors artists’ residencies, community education programs and a craft gallery.

Atkins studied in Italy in the fall of 2008, through the University’s International and Intercultural Studies Program. She is a graduate of The Doane Stuart School in Rensselaer, NY.

Here is another gorgeous example of work that Amy made at Penland :

Below are some images from the opening reception:

Lucia Bonsack created this piece in my Digital Media and Culture class using ARTRAGE, a fabulous, new, outrageously inexpensive, and amazingly intuitive painting program.  -amy

Just wanted to share