On International Women’s Day, the Wiener Museum is celebrating all the wonderful women who contributed to our Artistry in Action event on March 7th. Around 200 guests attended the evening’s activities which included demonstrations of glass fusing, pottery painting and jewelry making by local artists. Visitors could appreciate first hand all the skills and artistry that go into creating the decorative arts on display at WMODA.

Chelsea Rousso was signing up aspiring artists for her next fused glass class Wine Down with WMODA on Tuesday March 13th. Chelsea will be showing her students how to make a glass tray and matching knife handle for cheese and wine parties with a difference. Two of Chelsea’s latest wearable designs were modeled that evening. Samantha looked stunning in a metallic grey glass bikini top and Katerina was wearing a glistening glass corset. Both ladies were thrilled at the opportunity to model these extraordinary works of wearable art. Almost instantaneously photos started appearing on Instagram and Facebook as Katerina Wagner is well known as the editor of Miami Art Scene, Miami’s No.1 art blog.

Also representing the fired glass arts that evening were Alicia Rodgriguez, who works with recycled glass to create striking sculptures inspired by ice and water. Visitors were also dazzled by Elizabeth Prado’s luminous glass bowls and trays in brilliant colors. Elizabeth had a successful career as a glass artist in her native Brazil before moving to Fort Lauderdale with her husband Eduardo. Also an acclaimed glass artist, Eduardo embeds his paintings of popular culture in layers of translucent glass.

Laurence Panadero, a versatile sculptor and painter, showed visitors how she designs, molds and paints fantastic pottery masks. Her demonstration was particularly timely as a highlight of the Carnival & Cabaret exhibit with its display of authentic Venetian carnival masks alongside fashionable wall masks of the Art Deco era. Laurence, who moved to Dania Beach from France, regularly runs painting and sculpting classes with a Parisian twist at her Velvet House studio. On Friday, March 23 in the Hot Glass gallery at WMODA, Laurence’s students will be making miniature masks for decoration and jewelry.

Jewelry was also the focus of the multi-talented Lori Brown, who demonstrated the art of Precious Metal Clay. Lori works predominantly in glass and silver to create jewelry for her Edgehill Designs label, which is sold in our museum shop. Don’t miss Lori’s jewelry making workshop on April 27th. Lori juggles her jewelry making with her consultancy role at WMODA as the webmaster and graphic designer. On International Women’s Day, we also wish to acknowledge the all-female management team at WMODA who are building the museum’s reputation with popular exhibitions and events such as this - Louise Irvine, the Executive Director & Chief Curator, Kimberly Sheridan, the Visitor Services Manager, and Veronica Alvarado, the Development Manager. Evenings at WMODA would not be possible without the support of our sterling volunteers, including Betsy Kennedy, Jan Fienglass, Alisa Melchanova, Helna Aragundi and Arlene Gottleib.

Of course there are some exceptional men, who helped make Artistry in Action a resounding success! Master potter James Herring held his audiences spellbound while throwing a succession of vases on the potter’s wheel. One young lad in particular was mesmerized by this new experience as can be seen in the photos. Lloyd Goradesky, the public artist and renowned photographer who created the Gator in the Bay, was kept busy giving tips on the best selfies to be taken at WMODA. Lloyd will be back at the museum on April 27th to give lessons on getting the most from your camera or phone for photography and videos.

Thank you also to our logistics guys Joel Torres and Brian Spillane, and George Hawthorn, our chief volunteer who spent his birthday keeping the bubbly flowing.