Meandering

Laura McCracken: Meandering

Opens at NEXT Gallery,

6501 W Colfax Ave

Lakewood, CO 80214

Opening Reception:

Friday, August 21, 2026 5-9pm

First Friday & Closing Reception: Friday, September 4, 2026 5-9pm

Show Runs: August 21-September 6, 2026

Denver, Colorado

Meandering is an exhibition of new glass art guided by play, repetition, layers, and subtle variations that invite the viewer to look closer. These mindfulness meditations are a playful yet profound attempt to sort through the mental overload. Inspired by Thomas Merton’s observation that art allows us to simultaneously find and lose ourselves, this collection treats the creative process as a form of serious play. By engaging with the materials, I seek to turn daily stresses into a dance of personal growth.

Artistic meditation is not merely a distraction; it is a way to shift my mood through the joy of experimentation. My medium of fused glass is perfectly suited for this, as it embraces both clarity and distortion. As I cut, layer, and fuse, I am essentially playing with light and structure, untangling my thoughts into organized, vibrant compositions.

In a political landscape where truth and illusion blur into a carnival-like spectacle, I choose to retreat to the studio and nurture my own self-care. I try to engage with the external tension through a lens of curiosity. By wrangling my own emotions and playing with the boundaries of perception, I seek introspective insights and cultivate a sense of lightness and clarity.

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Make Your Own Fused Glass!

To schedule a class, please email: lauramccrackenglass@gmail.com or call 703-795-4093 and leave a message with your name, contact information, number of people in your group and what projects you are interested in.

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Fused Glass: Try it yourself!

Multiple pieces of glass are layered, placed in a kiln and heated until they fuse together into a single piece.  Types of glass include transparent, opaque, iridized, and dichroic.  From cutting to kiln, let me lead you through the basics to design your very own one-of-a-kind, decorative or functional glass art.

Flat fused Glass - 90 minutes     $50.00

Create two 4”x4” coasters or one larger flat, fully fused tile.    

Intro to Fused Glass Jewelry - 2 hours    $85.00

Create two sets or five pendants.  Various techniques explored.

Almost twins - dish set -      2 Hours     $120+

Create a two dish set using positive/negative design technique.  Prices vary depending on dish size and selected glass.  Strong cutting skills recommended.

Discounts are available for group or family lessons. 

Prices listed above are private lesson prices.

Youth Art Intensives:

As an art educator for 20+ years, my favorite setting to teach in, is private lessons and small groups.  The intimacy, focus on personal interest, longer work sessions are tremendously fulfilling for both student and teacher.

If you are interested in small group or private lessons, please call 703-795-4093 to schedule lessons.

Lessons can be weekly or camp style (several days in a row).

1. Private lesson rate:  $40/session

2. Shared 2 person lesson: $25 per student/session    

3. Group rate (3-5 students) $15 per student/session

I am able to teach any medium to ages 5+.  For elementary age students, here are some ideas for the student that loves everything.

Canvas and color - 3 sessions Textural painting with acrylic paint on canvas, for grades 4-7.

Play with Plaster - 4 sessions    Using plaster and plaster cast techniques to create sculptures in the round, for grades 4-7.

Turning Doodles into Design - 3 or more sessions, studio art class focusing on drawing, painting and printmaking for all ages.