Marie Maretska
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1985-2007 Hanson Howard Gallery, Ashland, Oregon (annually) 1997-1999 Gallery at Salishan, Gleneden, Oregon (annually) 1997 Jacobs Gallery, Hult Center, Eugene, Oregon 1995 State Gallery, Sacramento, California 1992 Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, Oregon 1984 Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2002 Regional Perspectives, Schneider Museum of Art, Ashland, Oregon Art in Bloom, Medford, Oregon 1999-2002 Gallery Mack, Palm Desert, California 1996 Gallery at Salishan, Gleneden, Oregon 1995 Schneider Museum of Art, Ashland, Oregon 1994 Schneider Museum of Art, Ashland, Oregon 1994 "Circle of Merit", Rogue Gallery, Medford, Oregon 1994 Sunbird Gallery, Bend, Oregon 1993 "State of Jefferson", Rogue Gallery, Medford, Oregon 1992 "Certain Woman", Rogue Gallery, Medford, Oregon 1991 Wiseman Gallery, Grants Pass, Oregon 1991 "State of Jefferson", Rogue Gallery, Medford, Oregon 1990 "The Garden Party", Contemporary Crafts, Portland, Oregon 1990 "Arts for Aids", Hudson-Northcross Gallery, Ashland, Oregon
COMMISSIONS & AWARDS
1993 Best of Sculpture, Rogue Gallery, Medford, Oregon 1992 Stage Sculpture and Set Design, commissioned by James DePriest for 30th Anniversary of Britt Music Festival, Jacksonville, Oregon 1992 Oregon Arts Commission, Percent for Art 1991 Best of Show, "State of Jefferson", Rogue Gallery, Medford, Oregon 1991 Oregon Arts Commission, Percent for Art 1985-2000 Multiple Private Commissions
INSTALLATIONS
1994 "Going Near/Seeing Sound", Rogue Gallery, Medford, Oregon
PROCESS
Vitreous enamel is glass bonded to metal with high heat. In the process of enameling, five to twenty layers of finely ground glass are sifted on copper. Each layer is heated in a kiln at 1500 degrees. When removed the molten enamel cools to a thin film of glass that has fused to the metal. Successive firings of enamel create an unusual depth of color and light refraction.
In the Ripple series the sculptural quality was achieved by hammering the copper into shapes.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I took a sabbatical to explore art in whatever medium that I wanted. Very shortly I became fascinated with fusing glass to copper (vitreous enameling). This led to studying with four master enamelists. I then struck out on my own to discover how to enamel in a format on copper that is larger than historically done. Because this is an unusual art form it was necessary to design many of my hand tools.
I am very grateful to have received two grants, one from The William T. Colville Foundation and one from a private donor, that helped immensely in purchasing a kiln and grinder.