I am inspired to artmaking by observations and reflections concerning life experiences that connect us as human beings. These ideas find expression in unique jewelry pieces, one-of-a-kind creations that can have personal as well as universal meaning for whoever they adorn.
With our common journey in mind, I am striving to be
"a flame of awareness" and to discover new insights, expressed through the materials of glass and metals, while following a path of the heart and spirit along where the flameworking process is taking me.
The beauty and reflecting qualities of glass are especially uplifting and have always fascinated me; and the Italian soda lime glass that I primarily work with has a rich color spectrum, lending itself to infinite possibilities. I also use sterling silver, fine silver and 14kt gold-filled metal and wire in my jewelry creations. In the artist flow of things, PMC (Precious Metal Clay) work has been a natural path to travel after the pottery making chapter of my life. I am especially enjoying the process of making handmade chain and weaving wire to express and enhance the beauty and meaning of my glass beads. Booth2.jpg (68203 bytes)
It all just keeps going, however our human path is evolving. These different ways we express our personal insights connect us, as a part of this adventure together. Let's enjoy it!

Live    fully  by    expressing    your    true  self.
 

Education and Experience

 

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Nov 2008 Taught “Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel” Class
at Calhoun Community College, Decatur, AL.
1996 - present I do an art shows circuit of usually 10-12 art shows a year.  I also have taught workshops for the past 12 years.
1985 - present Self-employed artist/owner at Eureka Design, Inc., Toney, AL.   The first 8 years I made dinnerware/kitchenware stoneware pottery. 
In 1996 my main focus became making my glass beads gem-like in metal jewelry creations.
July, 2004 Wire Weaving Workshop with Instructor, Cindy Moore, at J.C. Campbell Craft School, Brasstown, NC.
1980-1984 Self-employed artist at Eureka Artworks, Jupiter, FL. selling stoneware pottery; primarily dinnerware and kitchenware and some sculptural work.
1975-1980 Tour Escort with Travel Company-Area of expertise, Germany & Austria
1974 Graduated with Double Major; BA degree in Studio Art & German-Language & Literature, with a Secondary Education minor, from Elmira College, Elmira, NY. Graduated magna cum laude.

 

July 2008 Precious Metal Clay Conference, Purdue University,
West Lafayette, IN
Aug 2004 William Holland School of Lapidary and Metalworking-C. Jenrette, Instructor
Mar 2003 Certification in PMC enabling teaching of PMC classes,
under Barbara Becker Simon at Spruill Center, Atlanta, GA.
June 2002 Workshop "Exploring the Possibilities of PMC (Precious Metal Clay)", Barbara Becker Simon, Instructor, Wildacres, NC
1999 - Glass Lathe Goblet Basics Workshop, Touch of Glass, Asheville, NC
1999 - Polaroid Photo Emulsion Transfer Workshop
1999 - Pat Sage and Tom Holland-Advanced Flameworking
1999 - Phototinting Workshop-Huntsville Museum of Art
1998 - Loren Stump Workshop-Lampworked glass and face murrini fabrication
1997 - Robert Mickelsen Workshop-Lampworking borosiliacate glass
1995 - Dinah and Patti Hulet workshop in murrini cane fabrication
1994 - Arrowmont School of Crafts-Session in metalworking
1993 - Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC; 
Brian Kirkvliet, Instructor
1992- Flameworking Glassbeads at J.C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC; Linda Honeycutt-LeGrand, Instructor
1987-
1992		 Workshops with Val Cushing, Frank Fleming, Jude Schlotzhauer (slump glass).  Attended 2-3 day workshops by Ken Ferguson, Jane Peiser, Cynthia Bringle, Ray Rogers and Don Reitz
1986 Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC, Bob Turner, Instructor in Clay
1982 Penland School of Crafts, Penland NC, Erik Gronborg, Instructor in Clay

 

Kentuck Museum Association

International Society of Glass Beadmakers

Precious Metal Clay Guild, Rewards membership since 2003

American Crafts Council

Alabama Designer/Craftsmen

Huntsville Art League, Huntsville, Alabama

Experimental Aircraft Association
Private Pilot License

Audubon Society

 

October 15, 2011 Received a Patron Purchase Gold Ribbon Award at the Kentuck Festival, Northport, AL
May 20 -June 25, 2011 Two sculptures from the Glass Bead Totem Sculptures Series selected for inclusion in the EMBRACING ARTS IX Exhibition at the
Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, AL
"Hearts a-Fluttering" and "Misfit-Which Way to Go"
May 6, 2011 Received “Award of Merit” (Cash Award) At ARTSQUEST Fine Arts Festival at Seaside, FL
September 13-20, 2009 Mixed Media Wall Sculptural Artpiece was selected for participation in "Unique Views of Huntsville", an exhibition at the Huntsville Museum of Art, Huntsville, AL Title:" Eye of God"
May 29-June 27, 2009 Selected for participation in the "Embracing Art VII" Exhibit at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, AL. The piece selected is entitled "Leap of Faith". It is a 3D Mixed Media Sculpture, from a series of work: Explorations: Roots to Wings
April 3-30, 2009 "Explorations: Roots to Wings” Artwork by P. Eldridge and K. Basiago "In the Limelight" Show at the HAL Gallery, Huntsville, AL
June, 2008 First Prize in the Jewelry Category (Cash Award) by Arts Alfresco at “ART IN THE GARDENS ” at The Aldridge Gardens Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, AL
September 2007 Honorable Mention, at the MONTE SANO ART FESTIVAL, Huntsville, AL
Jan 29-March 09, 2007 Juried Finalist into the WINTERFEST 2007 Exhibition at The Bevill Center, Snead State Community College, Boaz, AL, sponsored by The Mountain Valley Arts Council, Guntersville, AL, then during show  AWARDED 3RD PRIZE IN 3-D CATEGORY
October 2006 Honorable Mention in Jewelry Category, (Cash Award) at THE 35th ANNUAL KENTUCK FESTIVAL, Northport, AL
October 07, 2006 Martha Pezrow $100 Cash Award and White Ribbon at THE 43rd ANNUAL BLUFF PARK ART SHOW in Hoover, AL
September 10-17,2006 Finalist juried into UNIQUE VIEWS of Huntsville 2006 Exhibition at the HUNTSVILLE MUSEUM of ART
September 2006 2nd Prize Jewelry Category, Cash Award at THE GREATER ST. LOUIS ART ASSOC FALL ART FESTIVAL at QUEENEY PARK, St, Louis, MO
2006 2nd Prize Jewelry Category, at THE 23rd ANNUAL MAIN STREET FESTIVAL, Franklin, TN April 29-30, 2006
2005 Preselected Work for Prize Screening in Category at GREAT GULFCOAST ARTS FESTIVAL, Pensacola, FL
2004 Honorable Mention, WINTERFEST 2004 Exhibition at Mountain Valley Arts Council, Guntersville, AL
2002 COLLECTOR’S DRAW Award, Huntsville Art League, Huntsville, AL
2001 Honorable Mention Award, MONTE SANO ART FESTIVAL
2000 Purchase Award, MAGIC CITY ART CONNECTION, Birmingham, AL
2000 2nd Prize Jewelry Category- ART ON THE LAKE, Guntersville, AL
2001 Time Warner PBS Video Taping of my Craft
1999 1st prize Jewelry, ART ON THE LAKE, Guntersville AL
1998 Grand Prize, ART ON THE LAKE, Guntersville, AL
1997 Honorable Mention, ARTS ALIVE, Florence, AL
1996 James E. & Amelia Grimes Patron Purchase Award, KENTUCK FESTIVAL, Northport, AL
1996 Cash Merit Award in Jewelry, ARTS ALIVE, Florence, AL
1995 Merit Award 24th Annual KENTUCK FESTIVAL, Northport, AL
1995 Honorable Mention Award, ARTS ALIVE, Florence, AL

 

Goathill Museum Gift shop located in the Capitol Building in Montgomery, AL

Artists Incorporated, 3365 Morgan Drive, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216 (suburb of Birmingham, AL)

Dixon/Ballog Glass Gallery, 2040 Old Montgomery Hwy, Pelham, AL 35244

 
 

 

 

Eureka Design, Inc. Phone 256-828-3108 Email eurekakd@mindspring.com

All designs and images Copyright 2008 Kay Basiago