ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: September 2023

Candi Varela is a fused glass artisan specializing in wearable artworks who at the young age of 52, discovered her passion for fusing glass. It started during the pandemic, March of 2021, when she purchased a beginner’s glass fusing kit that included a microwave kiln. Armed with her trusty heat resistant gloves and safety goggles, she began experimenting with glass fusing. These experiments were exciting and sparked her curiosity for glass. Not only was Candi excited about the process and experimentation with glass, but she also began to receive  compliments on her unique one-of-a-kind wearable glass pieces. This sparked her interest in sharing her work even more and led her on the path to setting up as an artist vendor for events. The community atmosphere amongst the vendors at Riverside Artswalk and other events  coupled with the ability to talk with others about her work and what  they see in it has inspired her creativity, giving her a new passion for exploring her glass-work.

Based on the creation process it takes to create her wearable glass pieces, Candi can spend anywhere from hours to days working on her artwork. It takes a significant amount of set up and clean up to create the works. Additionally, Candi tries to make sure to fill the kiln before firing a batch, making the process more efficient since each kiln firing takes several hours to a day to  complete the process. Candi’s artwork helps her to express herself and that moment when the kiln is opened to a freshly fired batch full of completed new projects, fills her with incredible excitement. Candi has been showcasing and selling her creations at local vending events, which led her to participate in the Riverside Artswalk where she participates each month. She has also participated in the Festival of Lights, Eastside Arthouse events and The Art Market at White Park put on by the Riverside Art Museum. Through these events, Candi is inspired and feels like a part of the arts community which helps fuel her to grow and experiment more in her glass endeavors. Together with her husband Rey, she looks forward to continued growth while sharing her love of fused glass with others. Visit Candi & Rey each month on Main Street at  Artists on Main for Riverside Artswalk and check out her beautiful wearable glass artworks!

 For more information, visit Candi @_glasscandi on IG.