HOLMES BEACH – When you drop a piece of china and see it shatter on the floor, you probably gasp, knowing it’s bound for the garbage and your set will never again be complete. But that’s not the case for the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s January featured artist, Donna Slawsky.
Many of Slawsky’s unique works of art are created by breaking everyday objects such as teacups or fine china, then reassembling them. She also loves to work with stained glass.
“I don’t use anything that’s brand new,” Slawsky said. “Everything I make is either from remnants of stained glass or vintage broken china that people give to me.”
While it may be fun to imagine Slawsky smashing valuable china on her floor for art’s sake, the process is a bit more technical and controlled. She uses a tile cutter to break the glass or china in a way that fits her vision for whatever the piece is going to become. She also incorporates natural items into her work such as driftwood or even broken sculpture pieces donated by a friend.
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island’s gallery has more than 100 member artists, and while not all artists’ works are always on display, there is always a large collection of area art by talented artists juried by the Guild.
Slawsky’s work will be on display in the front window through the end of January. She is also available for private lessons; call 941-357-6186 or email her.
The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island is located at 5414 Marina Drive and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
