Artist of the Month
February 2025
Deanna Clayton
Deanna Clayton is known for her pâte de verre technique and innovative use of copper. Creating both sculptural vessels and figurative works, Deanna’s art blends the fluidity of glass with the warmth of metal, creating pieces that explore form, texture, and narrative. Deanna is represented by Duncan McClellan Gallery, where she is the February featured artist.
Click each photo for a full picture.
Bucolic Girl, 2025; 17 x 9 x 8 inches; pâte de verre and copper
Coming To The Surface, 2024; 30 x 11 x 11 inches; pâte de verre and copper
Truly Lovely, 2025; 23 x 12.5 12.5; pâte de verre and copper
Sitting On An Idea, 2025; 19 x 18 x11 inches; pâte de verre and copper
So Many Ideas, 2025; 18.5 x 8 x 6 inches; pâte de verre and copper
So Much Depends On The Weather, 2025; 17.25 x 9 x 7 iches; pâte de verre and copper
Deanna Clayton
Artist Statement:
My sculptural work, created using pâte de verre and copper, explores the delicate balance between strength and fragility. I am drawn to the organic forms that emerge through my process, which reflect the ephemeral nature of existence—where moments of presence are fleeting, yet impactful. Through these sculptures, I seek to evoke a sense of hopeful lightness, inviting the viewer to connect with the work both physically and emotionally.
The process of creating with pâte de verre allows for intricate layers of glass that capture light and texture, while the copper adds an element of resilience. These materials mirror the duality I aim to express: fragile, yet enduring. My sculptures are meant to be seen in the round, engaging the viewer from every angle, and offering new perspectives as they move around the piece. Though the forms may appear delicate at first glance, they possess a quiet strength that reflects both the beauty and the vulnerability of life itself.
Inspired by my personal experiences and the reverence I feel for objects from the past, my work invites a deeper connection to the objects we live with—encouraging a relationship not just with their aesthetic, but with the stories they carry and the emotions they evoke. I want those who encounter my sculptures to feel drawn to live with them, to find a sense of comfort, beauty, and introspection in their presence.
About Deanna Clayton
Deanna Clayton was introduced to glass right out of high school while earning her Associates in Fine Arts degree in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. After two years at Kent State University studying glass under Henry Halem, she moved to Champaign-Urbana, IL to attend the University of Illinois and finished her bachelor’s degree. While still attending the university she started her glass studio. She worked in central Illinois for 10 years and then discovered beautiful Door County, Wisconsin which is where she lives and works currently.
Today Deanna’s work can be seen in public and private collections around the world. Her work has been showcased in international exhibitions and is represented in prominent international museums. Deanna’s contributions to the glass arts have earned her recognition in several notable publications, further establishing her as a leading figure in the field.
With a career marked by both creative and technical excellence, Deanna continues to push the boundaries of glass sculpture, bringing new perspectives to an ancient craft.
Acknowledgment of Gallery:
We are grateful to the Duncan McClellan Gallery, St. Petersburg, Florida, for providing the Artist of the Month.
Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to further the development and appreciation of art made from glass.
The Alliance informs collectors, critics and curators by encouraging and supporting museum exhibitions, university glass departments and specialized teaching programs, regional collector groups, visits to private collections, and public seminars.
