The artists, respected for their innovative work, have recently concluded the series for which they are most know, large scale blown glass fruit and vegetable forms. They continue work on life size figurative wood and glass sculptures as well as outdoor bronze installations. Their newest glass work includes blown vessels and cast panels with illustrations of the 'first facts' of bird identification realized through applied glass powder drawings and a series of blown vessels combining applied word with image, the subject organized by the alphabet. They are presently developing a series of sculptures, the Botanicals, that permanently capture and preserve, in three-dimensions, a flower with bulb, stem and bloom in full color.
Joey (born in Des Moines, Iowa, 1952) and Flora (born in Exeter, New Hampshire, 1949) have exhibited, lectured and taught extensively throughout the world. They were the first women to teach glassblowing at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, teaching there for 12 years. Their collaborative work is included in collections and museums around the world including the Corning Museum of Glass, NY; The Detroit Institute of Art Detroit, MI; The Boston Museum of Fine Art, Boston, MA; Hokkaido Museum, Japan; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York NY; Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Lausanne, Switzerland; Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA; Toledo Art Museum, Toledo, OH and The National Museum of American Art, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.
Kirkpatrick and Mace were elected to the American Craft Fellows in 2005, interviewed for the Smithsonian Archives of American Art in 2006 and given the 2001 Chateau Ste. Michelle Libensky Award by Pilchuck Glass School honoring outstanding contemporary artists working in glass. Kirkpatrick served as a trustee on the board of Pilchuck Glass School for 16 years.
Flora Mace is an alumna of the University of Illinois (MFA '76), and Krannert Art Museum holds her work in the permanent collection. The duo currently resides in the state of Washington, where they have an active studio practice. More information can be found at the artists' website kirkpatrick-mace.com.
