Kimberley Coffee-Isaak

GLASS

Banana Eclipse

Southwestern Dangles

ARTIST STATEMENT

After receiving a BA in Art from San Jose State University in 1984, I returned to my home and family in these beautiful islands of Hawaii. I lived on the leeward coast and began creating stained glass art and commissions from a beautiful seaside studio. My work consisted of residential, commercial and liturgical glass commissions incorporating traditional leaded glass techniques as well as kiln fired and sandblasted surfaces and techniques. I also enjoyed designing autonomous panels and sculpture for competition, exhibition and gallery sales incorporating traditional and non-traditional techniques, motifs and materials. My studio work included jewelry, lamp-worked beads, lamps, glass ware, and other gift items.

My need and desire to be around other artists and those interested in making and presenting art lead me to volunteering in several different capacities. I was very active with the Glass Artists of Hawaii and worked part time for the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts with the installation of their public relocatable works of art. In 1991 I volunteered to help install Hawaii Craftsmen’s annual exhibit. Three years later I was the President and leading the board to the momentous occasion of hiring Hawaii Craftsmen first executive director. One year later the job was mine. My good intentions to maintain a studio, run a small nonprofit statewide organization, raise my daughter and have a life were just that---good intentions!

And so my career objective remains a true objective---something to continually strive for. I am fortunate, that although my studio work is on hold, I am doing very creative and fulfilling work. My work allows me to be around working artists, both local and visiting, and around all types of wonderful museum quality craft. The day-to-day management, as well as the programs and planning, of Hawaii Craftsmen is very challenging and varied---I never get bored! This is an excellent organization to work for with a supportive board and fun statewide members. Hawaii Craftsmen continues to step up to the challenges of this fast changing world and I am proud and excited to be a part of it all. Please enjoy these pictures of my glass work. And be assured, I have a plan, I will be back in my studio before my 50th birthday!