Marcia Clark, Kaleidoscope Artist
Artist Statement
My
first kaleidoscope was red cardboard. Even though it was paper, it
filled me with delight and amazement. I was only four, and the
sense of awe I felt has filled me ever since.
My
journey towards becoming an artist followed a diverse and exciting
path. A successful career in surgical sales and management was
followed by earning bachelors and masters degrees and also a private
pilot license. In the 1980’s, my heart was touched by the lives of
children living with life threatening illnesses, and I founded the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, was a founding board
member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and later its
National Executive Director.
Two
themes have served as a compass for my life: service to others and
a desire to be an artist. In 1999 I began to create kaleidoscopes
and studied with several gifted kaleidoscope artists. This art is
my joy and my passion and my life’s work. Each kaleidoscope I
create is intended to be an heirloom.
My
kaleidoscopes are crafted in etched glass and in various metals.
I create limited and open editions and one-of-a-kind kaleidoscopes
which are sold in galleries across the United States, Japan, and the
United Kingdom. “Dance…Series II”, a limited edition hand-forged
copper kaleidoscope, was awarded the 2005 Niche Award for Mixed
Media. My art has been featured in “The Craft Report” and “Antiques
and Collectibles.” Because of my belief in the healing qualities of
kaleidoscopes, Dr. H. Ochi invited me to write a chapter for his
book, “Kaleidoscopes and Healing” published in Japan. I enjoy
mentoring new artists and teach at Touchstone Center for the Arts
and also The Society for Contemporary Crafts in Pittsburgh PA.
I
believe that kaleidoscopes take us to another place, and that is the
place of the spirit. Kaleidoscopes are art for body, mind and
spirit. The delight I found in my red cardboard kaleidoscope is
ever present each time I look through a kaleidoscope.
KALEIDOSCOPES: ART FOR
BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT ™
Marcia Clark, Kaleidoscope
Artist
Biography
Marcia Clark’s journey toward
becoming an artist followed a diverse and dynamic path. As a
child, she was always drawn to artistic pastimes and found abundant
joy in her creations. She would have pursued a path in art upon
high school graduation, but circumstances dictated different
choices.
After a successful career in the
field of surgical equipment sales and management where she trained
surgeons in highly technical procedures, Marcia earned an
undergraduate degree in Business and Economics from Chatham
College. She went on to pursue a Masters Degree in Public
Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Between degrees, her
desire to soar led to getting a private pilot’s license. She also
delivered motivational keynote speeches including “Dare to Dream:
Live Your Life, Don’t Let Life Live You.” Little did she realize
her own life would embody that message.
In 1982 a TV show about the
Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona inspired Marcia to start the
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. She was also a
founding board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and
served as it national Executive Director. She found relaxation from
the demands of her busy schedule in art galleries, art courses, and
crafts.
Twin themes have continuously served
as the compass for Marcia’s life: service to others and the desire
to become an artist. She continues to consult with non-profit
organizations, currently serves on the Board of The Pittsburgh Zoo
and PPG Aquarium, and is now finally pursuing her passion for art as
one of only 60 working kaleidoscope artists in the United States.
While she has always studied and created art, since 1999 she has created kaleidoscopes.
Marcia mastered her craft through
intense study with other artist mentors and through the rigors of
trial and error. She is committed to superior quality and cutting
edge design. She works in etched glass and various metals,
creating limited and open edition kaleidoscopes as well as
one-of-a-kind pieces. Her work is sold in galleries in the United
States, England and Japan where she enjoys the honor of having her work
displayed in the Sendai Kaleidoscope Art Museum. Her limited
edition kaleidoscope, “Dance…Series II” was a 2005 Niche Award
Winner. She is featured in the March 2005 “Craft Report,”
September 2005 “Antiques and Collecting,” and recently featured in
the Pittsburgh Post Gazette as well as on KDKA television. Her
belief in the healing qualities of the kaleidoscope led Dr. H. Ochi
to invite her to write a chapter for his book, “Kaleidoscopes and
Healing” published in Japan.
In the spirit of legacy, Marcia
enjoys teaching others the art of creating kaleidoscopes. She
serves on the adjunct faculty at Touchstone Center for the Arts as
well as the Society for Contemporary Crafts in Pittsburgh. She also
enjoys mentoring new kaleidoscope artists.
Clark is a member of the Brewster
Kaleidoscope Society and the Washington Artist’s Cooperative. She
believes that kaleidoscopes are art for mind, body, and spirit, and
strives to infuse that vision into every creation.
KALEIDOSCOPES: ART FOR
BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT ™
|