The Mermaid’s Top

By Louise Irvine At our Mermaid Tale event on Halloween, Rhanu Mershark wore a glass bikini top designed by Chelsea Rousso. The collaboration was such a success that Chelsea offered to make a customized mermaid top, especially for Rhanu to wear at our Fantasy, Fashion & Fun event on January

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Who’s Who – Dave Rosenthal

By Louise Irvine The Niagara chandelier, recently donated by Lladró, has transformed our Fantastique exhibit and inspired multidisciplinary artist, Dave Rosenthal, to compose original music to accompany his stunning video of the porcelain fairies dancing in a waterfall of lights. Dave is a self-professed “Sound and Light Chaser”. As a

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Who’s Who – Chelsea Rousso

By Louise Irvine Chelsea Rousso is a glass artist, fashion designer, writer, and teacher. She specializes in kiln-formed fused glass and holds regular classes for aspiring glass artists at her studio in Lauderdale by the Sea and at the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts in Dania Beach. Before moving to

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A Fairy Tale Comes True at WMODA

By Louise Irvine Hundreds of visitors to the Gallery of Amazing Things have taken selfies with Lladró’s spectacular Niagara chandelier featuring a cascade of porcelain fairies illuminated by a waterfall of twinkling lights. The Lladró masterpiece has been at the center of weddings, mitzvah celebrations, and Holiday parties. Now the

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The Midas Touch

By Louise Irvine The legend of King Midas, who turned everything he touched to gold, has inspired Louise’s article on gilding in the fired arts. However, the glistening exhibits at WMODA do not rely on the magic of the gods but on the expertise of European porcelain artists. The first

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Who’s Who – George Hawthorn

George Hawthorn is the museum’s longest serving volunteer and is known to the WMODA team as the “voluntold” as he is the husband of our director, Louise Irvine. Ten years ago he thought he was retiring to Miami Beach but Louise had other ideas! He helps with editing, proof-reading and

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Legendary Lladró

By Louise Irvine Lladró’s dream to light up the world with porcelain has come true as can be seen in their innovative lighting designs and their traditional figurative sculptures. WMODA is proud to present many of Lladro’s most spectacular limited-edition creations. As well as their distinctive glazed porcelain sculptures in

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Golden Orbs – Paul Stankard

By Louise Irvine Tiny golden orbs encapsulated in larger crystal orbs are a specialty of flame-worker Paul Stankard. There are spiritual and poetic aspects to Paul’s use of floating golden orbs in his glass art. He finds joy in working with such a rare, precious metal to embellish his designs.

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The Monkey and the Shark: An African Folk Tale

By Louise Irvine The old African folktale of The Monkey and the Shark brings two worlds together at WMODA this season. The wit and humor of the Ardmore artists from South Africa combines with the wonders of the deep symbolized by Rhanu, our mermaid in residence. On Saturday, January 16,

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Christmas Frog Chorus

By Louise Irvine 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse... But what about the frogs and why were they such a popular theme for Christmas cards in the 19th century? Instead of sending cards this year, Louise is

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