From a blue depiction of microscopic amoeba to a life size rectangular wall of an artist’s abstract version of their life, it’s clear that residents of the St. George area will get their share of beauty from Sparkle and Glow: A Clear View, the glass art exhibition at The St. George Art Museum. The top floor of the museum is filled with an exciting array of artist’s work from The Glass Art Guild of Utah, local glass art, and even pieces from art collectors in the community.
Sparkle and Glow: A Clear View, has been on a journey with this exhibition to promote, provide, and encourage glass art and artists everywhere. Dozens of artists, independent of each other, lay their work side by side. The wide variety of glass can leave a viewer speechless, while giving them the ability to find their own preferences.
Not being an expert in the subject of glass art couldn’t keep me from the constant intrigue that pulled my feet around each corner of the exhibit. There was no specific theme throughout the set up, but renderings of faces kept catching my eye. One kiln cast glass labeled,“A Voice” by Salt Lake City’s Cheryl Merz left me calmly questioning the presence that my own voice brings. The clear glass formed the outline of an unnamed face while clear light blue streaks masked the eyes, leaving the identity ambiguous. Unique darker blue, but still transparent streaks filled the forehead and ends of the mold establishing that although the identity may have been enigmatic, the impression made was as clear as the glass.
An even more abstract creation of faces, Dan Cummings’ “I’ll Never Forget the Sweet Taste of Your Kiss,” called out to my inner passion. Two deep red configurations of the lower half of the face that stretched to the torso are left in the moment right after a kiss. In the circular absent space is that passionate emotion made brilliantly tangible by flowing and fitting curls with the same deep color.
After a few minutes of admiration over “Loving the Arc of the Sun” I realized it was another Dan Cummings piece, and then I realized I was not only new to glass art, I was a new fan of Dan Cummings. This powerful cast glass work gives not only a face, but a Greek goddess like body, covered in her ever flowing hair, a. The sun, presented by her hands, is created through the negative space of the work. All of this is put on top of a rectangular mirror, giving the piece boundaries, and a way for me to see my own wide eyed awing in the negative space.
I may have seen the beauty of faces, but there are so many different styles, creations, and surprises to find for yourself. This is exhibit is definitely worth the time to see.

Haylee Wilkes is the 15 Bytes summer intern. She’s a sophomore at Dixie State University majoring in Professional and Technical Writing. At Dixie she plays on the volleyball team and acts as a Student Ambassador for the school.
Categories: Exhibition Reviews | Visual Arts