Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Denham.
Sally, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always enjoyed art, design and working with my hands. In college, I had the opportunity to work in various mediums studying some woodworking, pottery and metals. After finishing my Industrial Design degree at Auburn, I moved to Atlanta and wanted a new creative outlet to explore. I signed up for a five-week glassblowing course and was completely mesmerized by the process, the heat and the endless challenges of working with molten glass. Glassblowing was unlike any other art form I’d experimented with and I was fascinated. After a few years of learning under several talented glass artists in Atlanta, I decided to broaden my knowledge and skills. I studied glassblowing in North Carolina at Penland School of Crafts and then in Maine at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. At Penland and Haystack, I had the opportunity to learn from a collection of different glass artists who specialize in many varying techniques. Since being back in Atlanta, I have continued to learn from other artists as well as developing my own personal style. Currently, I’m working on making my own line of glasswork and teaching classes at Hotlanta Glassblowing in Doraville.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were, still are and probably always will be challenges! I’ve had a lot of support from family and friends but all new ventures have its ups and downs. I think loving what you do, working hard and being persistent can take you a very long way.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m a designer, glassblower, glass artist – I design, blow and sculpt glass objects. Aesthetically, I enjoy working in clean and simplistic forms. My color palette ranges from classic soothing tones to bright, rich pops of color – always trying to keep my brand modern and fresh. I work to make both functional art for people to use in their everyday life as well as sculptural art simply to be enjoyed.
In recent years, I’ve not only made my own artwork but also worked on unique commission pieces. My most exciting recent commission is for The Annika Award trophy. This is a custom-designed trophy presented by Annika Sorenstam which is given each year to the top female U.S. collegiate golfer. Each year, one of a kind glass trophy is given to the award winner as well as their college. The Annika Award trophy is not only a work of art but has a very special meaning to each year’s recipient. It’s something I’m very proud to be a part of.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by so many strong and talented artists – and as of recently, glassblowers. Attending both Penland and Haystack allowed me to be in an atmosphere flooded with creativity and passion. It gave me the opportunity to see other successful artists – to give me perspective on how to grow and develop my own art. Surround yourself with a supportive, ambitious, creative community.
“Creativity is contagious, pass it on.” – Albert Einstein
Contact Info:
- Website: SallyDenhamDesign.com
- Email: SallyDenhamDesign@gmail.com
- Instagram: SallyDenham_glass
Image Credit:
Personal Photo -Elizabeth Moore
Light Blue Bowl -Elizabeth Moore
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