The Arts Council of Snohomish County presents the Artists of the Year 2007: Joi & Dan LaChaussee. This accomplished husband and wife team were chosen by the artistic community for their outstanding contributions to the Arts Council and for their elegant, unique hand-blown glass.

Joi and Dan are well known throughout the Northwest and the greater United States, but when they met more than 20 years ago they were just beginning to hone their glassblowing skills. Dan first started in stained glass during high school in Redding, CA. After high school he took a job at a stained glass shop called the “Mean Street Store”, which allowed him to continue learning about stained glass. Later he moved to Seattle where a friend owned and operated Fremont Antique Glass. Working here was his first exposure to blown glass and he instantly fell in love with the art form. He started taking glassblowing classes at different studios and schools in the area, including Pratt Fine Arts Center in 1983.

Joi started in the ceramics department at the University of Colorado, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1983. After graduating she was invited to a glassblowing school in Vail, Colorado where she worked as a Teaching Assistant. She continued studying the art of glass making at the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee until she moved to Seattle in 1986 to work and attend classes at the Pratt Fine Arts Center.

At Pratt, Joi and Dan were able to study with several accomplished glass artists, including Dante Marioni, who also introduced the pair. Joi and Dan left Pratt to study at the Pilchuck Glass School in 1987. One year later they started their own studio on Whidbey Island overlooking Seattle, Mount Rainier, and the Puget Sound. The thrill of creating uniquely beautiful pieces continues to serve as their inspiration. Their ideas come from the opportunity to explore different forms of color and techniques for putting colors together that are different and distinctive from other artists. In addition, they truly enjoy the opportunity to share ideas and knowledge, as well as connect through their work. These days they are still working and living on Whidbey Island with their three children. Their works have been shown at galleries and museums throughout the United States and internationally, and are included in numerous public and private collections. Visit www.lachausseeglass.com to see more of Joi and Dan’s artwork.

The exhibit will open with a “Meet the Artists” reception on Thursday, March 15 from 5-8pm. The gallery is located at 1507 Wall Street in downtown Everett. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10-5pm and on Saturday from 11-4pm. For more information call 425-257-8380, artsinfo@artscouncilofsnoco.org.