My master plan was to become a graphic designer when I grew up. I started in the Studio Art program at Southern Connecticut State University, gung-ho and ready to lay the foundation for my future as an artist. Back then, graphic designers hand-rendered their work and I loved creating with my hands. Freshman year was amazing – taking classes in drawing, sculpture and jewelry – designing with my hands. Then came my sophomore year when my dad gave me some wise advice. He said, ‘you know Dawn, computers are going to take over your industry and you will be sitting in front of a box all day creating your work.’ To my dismay and not wanting to sit in front of computer, I listened to my dad and changed my course load to Marketing. That was the last time I truly created with my hands.
After earning my BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing (and Studio Art minor), I entered the workforce in Consumer Packaged Goods as a market research analyst. Flash forward 17 years and an MBA later, I was doing rather well in business and in my career but always felt as though something was missing (and I was spending 10 hours a day in front of a computer – exactly what I did not want to do). On a whim, my sister asked me to join her and my mom at an introductory lampworking class. I agreed, hesitantly, as I was so focused on my career and thought it would be a waste of time for this Type-A, instant gratification kind of person. Within 15 minutes of the class I was a different person – feeling reborn again – I was creating with my hands! What an amazing feeling! This is what I was missing for so long!
Since that first class in 2006, I have been refining my technique and learning the intricacies of working with glass while continuing to work full-time in the pharmaceutical industry.
To enhance my skills, I have attended classes by leading artisans including: Cynthia Liebler Saari, Nancy Tobey, Lauri Copeland, and Joanne Conant. To enhance my glass work, I have started to learn metalsmithing and have taken classes with Pauline Warg and Joy Raskin.