Page 40 - CA 2019 Final(3)

continued from previous page

The shelves of the gallery are filled with
myriad creations made by the Perrins,
many of which are inspired by the natural
beauty of the Maine Coast. Photo by
Deborah Train.

Having established their reputation as serious fine artists, the Perrins had a desire to share their time, skills, and resources. Using
their art as a vehicle, they began to form strong alliances with schools in the surrounding area and attend local meetings to help in the
revitalization of the town of Ellsworth. Previous work with The College of the Atlantic, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and
other educational facilities, further inspired them to provide and share their space for education, and equally important to them, a
place where artists can have intimate discussions with one another about being and processing creativity.

As a woman in a typically male dominated industry, Linda speaks to her unique perspective of blowing glass over the past 20 years,
but doesn’t want to draw attention to herself for breaking any barriers. She feels empowered and grateful to have had the experience of
pursuing her art in a space that women weren’t allowed into until the 1960s and 70s, and speaks more to the sense of responsibility
she has in matching skills and female sensibility to the merit and quality of her art.

For the past 10 years Atlantic Art Glass has celebrated the winter solstice with a “Fire Gathering,” which the Perrins explain,
draws other fire artists such as blacksmiths, potters, sculptors, and the like, together. The Perrins’ focus is now on generating conver-
sation and art inspired by the “heart work” that comes from the sharing of ideas with other artists. Winter months provide them the
time, and the climate, for producing a majority of their inventory for the coming summer tourism months. They have also started a
non-profit called “Artsworth” whose mission is to connect artists with opportunities to teach, exhibit, and participate in events.

To find out more about workshops, educational opportunities, commissioned works, and how to join the community, call the gallery
and studio at (207) 664-0222, or visit Ken and Linda Perrin’s Atlantic Art Glass Facebook page, and websites Artsworth.org or
atlanticartglassmaine.com or visit them at 25 Pine St., Ellsworth.

A Venetian-inspired glass serving bowl is
reheated in the “glory hole” in the Perrins’
glass blowing studio in Ellsworth.
Photo by Ken Perrin.

38