Since 2025, glass artist Krystal Jones of Gaia’s Glasswear has been an active, showcasing member of the Art Society of Strathcona County (ASSC). Based right here in Sherwood Park, Alberta, our studio practice is deeply intertwined with the ASSC community, regularly participating in exhibitions, collaborative showcases, and guild events upstairs at The Loft Gallery inside the historic A.J. Ottewell Arts Centre (590 Broadmoor Blvd).
For local collectors and patrons across the Greater Edmonton Area, this active guild membership provides an immersive, face-to-face venue to explore how ambient light interacts with professional kiln-formed art glass and intricate torchworked sculpture.
A Cooperative Footprint in the Strathcona County Arts Scene
Being a member of the Art Society of Strathcona County means Gaia’s Glasswear is more than a commercial small business—we are part of a cooperative movement designed to advance the visual arts in Alberta. The ASSC is a vital creative incubator, and our hands-on involvement ensures that traditional, technical glassmaking methods remain a vibrant part of the region's public arts footprint.
[ ASSC Member Engagement ]
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[ Guild Exhibition Cycle ] [ Material Innovation ]
• Multi-medium member group shows • Advanced kiln-fusion jewelry
• Seasonal Loft Gallery displays • Lampworked perennial florals
• Active community art engagement • Technical pâte de verre casting
When you browse our work during an ASSC-sponsored exhibition or community event, you are supporting a studio dedicated to high-level, disciplined glass manipulation techniques:
- Wearable Glass Art: Our signature fused glass studs and structural statement dangle earrings, hand-cut from premium art glass and finished exclusively with hypoallergenic surgical stainless steel to guarantee skin comfort.
- Torchworked Glass Florals: Hyper-detailed perennial flowers sculpted by hand over an open flame (lampworking) to capture the delicate, structural architecture of native Alberta botanicals.
- Pâte de Verre Castings: Sculptural, frosted glass leaves created using the historical "paste of glass" method, resulting in complex, translucent textures that mirror the fragile lifecycle of prairie flora.
The Value of Collecting from a Vetted Member Artist
When you collect glass art from an active ASSC member, your investment carries a layer of artistic validation and contributes directly to the stability of our local creative infrastructure.
The Impact of Guild-Supported Art:
Verified Local Craftsmanship: Every piece is engineered and fired by Krystal Jones in her private Sherwood Park studio, ensuring authentic, non-industrial production that meets the standards of professional gallery spaces.
Preserving Creative Landmarks: Active membership dues and volunteer hours help sustain the historic A.J. Ottewell Arts Centre, keeping it open as an accessible public space for workshops, art education, and cultural tourism.
Evolving Studio Collections: Because guild exhibitions change throughout the year, our member showcase updates constantly. This gives local collectors first access to limited-run seasonal ornaments, experimental colorways, and one-of-a-kind sculptural works.
The Studio-to-Gallery Production Matrix
Every piece of glass art designed for an ASSC showcase moves through a rigorous, highly disciplined fabrication sequence to ensure maximum structural and aesthetic longevity:
1.Botanical Research & Material Cutting: Phase 1.
Drawing inspiration from Strathcona County’s natural landscapes, sheets of tested, chemically compatible art glass are manually scored and hand-cut into complex layers.
2.The High-Heat Fusion Cycle: Phase 2.
The assembled glass layers are loaded into a specialized studio kiln and fired to temperatures climbing up to 1,450°F. The glass pulls itself into a high-gloss, smooth form through natural surface tension.
3.Precision Annealing & Cold-Working: Phase 3.
The kiln enters a computer-controlled cooling phase (annealing) to eliminate internal molecular stress. Once cooled, pieces are ground using diamond abrasives and fitted with tarnish-resistant, nickel-safe findings.
4.ASSC Member Staging: Phase 4.
Finished jewelry and sculptural items are paired with their playful, story-driven product names and staged at the A.J. Ottewell Arts Centre for member exhibitions, group shows, and seasonal gallery events.
Frequently Asked Questions for Gallery Visitors
How can I view your work as a member of the ASSC?
Our work is routinely featured in the rotating member displays and seasonal group exhibitions organized by the Art Society of Strathcona County. You can find us upstairs at The Loft Gallery inside the A.J. Ottewell Arts Centre (590 Broadmoor Boulevard, Sherwood Park). Be sure to check the official ASSC calendar for up-to-date show titles and gallery hours.
Can I purchase Gaia’s Glasswear directly during an ASSC show?
Yes! The ASSC hosts several highly anticipated member sales, seasonal art markets, and holiday events throughout the year where our fused glass jewelry, torchworked flowers, and hand-painted glass ornaments are available for immediate purchase. For comprehensive, year-round access to our full catalog between guild shows, you can shop our official online store.
What is the advantage of buying from an active ASSC member?
Purchasing from an active member guarantees you are buying directly from the living artist who engineered the piece. It ensures high material standards, supports the local Sherwood Park art economy, and connects you to a community that actively values traditional, hands-on studio crafts like kiln-fusing and lampworking.
