Honoring a Friend . . .
October 18, 2011
I recently learned of the passing of a colleague – Laurel Clark Fyfe. Laurel was the founder and Principal of Fox Fire Glass in Pontiac, MI. I first met Laurel in 1987 during a Michigan Glass Guild event in which she was instructing us on the technique of ultra-violet bonded glass. Laurel started her career with stained glass and then moved toward kiln formed glass on a large scale starting with prototype windshields for the automotive industry, which her company still does today.
They say imitation is the finest form of flattery . . . Laurel was the front runner of ultra-violet bonded furniture products which caught on internationally so that it became almost common, yet none of Laurel’s work would fall into the “common” category.
She moved on to create large scale kiln formed furniture which is breathtaking in its movement and design. She and her team spent countless hours experimenting with metals, pigments, types of glass most notably starfire glass which is virtually clear in tint versus the green of the standard soda-lime based commercial glass.
Laurel completed countless commission works and was awarded the glass commission for the renovated McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan airport connecting concourse A to B&C via an underground corridoor. She sandcarved elegant designs into curved glass and then added the drama of colored lighting. An original music score was written for the installation.
Her latest endeavors included colored lamination of glass and surface metal bonding onto sandblasted glass. NO ONE is even coming close to duplicating her kiln formed glass or metal bonding. Laurel was a visionary and pioneer in the glass industry. She dedicated her life to excellence of her techniques and design which were ever changing, ever expanding, ever exploring . . . as is the custom of a committed artist and artisan.
The glass world and public alike has indeed suffered a great loss. To date I know of none currently exploring and testing the limits of glass in the way that Laurel has. There are a few of her decorative and architectural pieces remaining – if you would like more information on them please contact Fox Fire Glass and I urge you to visit their website so you may experience a glimpse of the legacy of beauty and talent that Laurel has shared with us . . .
Wow – sounds like a great loss for the art world. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Julie,
Good to hear from you. It was a very touching Blog about your friend.
I hope you are doing well in Grand Rapids and Maverick is doing well in school.
Ann is still painting and received a Best in Show at one exhibition.
Now she has switched hats from teacher to pupil and is learning silk screen printing, and loving it.
Otherwise, all is well here.
Ralph