A Family Affair
For the month of March, Artisans on Taylor Gallery presents a group show, “A Family Affair,” featuring the works of an extremely talented family. The family members are glass artist, Glenn Lyons, painter, Christine Busch, wire-crown creator, Barrie D’Angelo, and photographer, Alex D’Angelo. This show was conceived by the former owner of Artisans on Taylor, Teresa Verraes, and will be presented and curated by the current owner, Anna Nasset. The idea of a group of artists who are all family members, who are a true, longtime Port Townsend family, is the concept that makes this show so dynamic and special. Each one of the artists truly excels in his or her medium and when presented together as a group, their work creates a cohesive and pleasing display. The show begins with the father and glass artist, Glenn Lyons. Lyons, a native of Washington State and a resident of Port Townsend began working with glass over fifteen years ago after a lifetime of working with his hands in other mediums. Attracted to the physical properties of glass, Lyons began to educate himself in the small studio he set up, through researching and learning on-line, and also by trial and error. In 2001 Lyons was accepted into the master-class intensive with noted Italian flame-worker Emilio Santini at Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle. His collection of delicate drinking vessels, and other unique pieces can be seen at Vetri International Glass in Seattle, as well as at Artisans on Taylor Gallery. Painter, mother, and wife, Christine Busch has resided in Port Townsend with her husband Glenn Lyons since 1979. Having practiced the art of painting for the last 38 years, Busch has always found time to create the balance in her life between motherhood, manufacturing a jewelry line, and most recently as the co-owner with Glenn, of "Summer House Design" store. Through her Fine Arts education at WSU, Busch was able to study with inspirational teachers and artists such as Gaylen Hansen, Robert Helm, and Linda Okazaki. Her work has evolved from watercolors to oil paint in the last decade, thanks to the encouragement of friends and mentors such as Max and Sherry Grover, Joan Jonland, and Tom and Lainie Johnson. The works that Busch presents for the upcoming show are landscapes that have been broken down visually to create abstract forms that fill the canvas with light, warmth, and beautifully balanced imagery. Impressed at a young age by an image she saw of a medieval crown, daughter and tiara creator, Barrie D'Angelo, began her relationship with the creation of wire crowns. Growing up with parents Lyons and Busch, D’Angelo was always encouraged to create art as a child. When she went to St Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota to study Spanish, and returned with a degree in Fine Arts, her parents could not have been more proud. With a foundation in Fine Art, D'Angelo returned to the making of crowns and has fully immersed herself in these creations. Her crowns have been worn by many, including grant recipients on Bainbridge Island, and visiting celebrities at the Port Townsend Film Festival. D’Angelo herself wore a tiara in place of a veil, during her wedding in 2008 to her husband, Alex D’Angelo. The newest member of the family is son-in-law, husband, and photographer, Alex D’Angelo. D’Angelo, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, has resided in the Northwest for over five years. His Master’s degree in computer science led him to photography through his focus on lighting. D’Angelo’s own family has always shared a love of photography and through this he has long been attracted to capturing the moments of everyday life, and the pieces that fill it, with a subtle and expert eye towards lighting and composition. D’Angelo will certainly continue educating himself, snapping shots, and being inspired by the artistic family he joined just two years ago. An artist’s reception for "A Family Affair" will be held at Artisans on Taylor Gallery, during Gallery Walk on March 6th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The family of artists will be on hand during this special evening to celebrate their show with the community.