Kelly O’Dell is a renowned glass artist whose work primarily focuses on species extinction, conservation, and human impact on the natural world. Born in Seattle in 1973, O’Dell’s artistic journey began at a young age when her family moved to the Big Island of Hawaii in 1974.

Early Life and Education

Growing up in Hawaii, O’Dell was immersed in a culturally and biologically diverse environment. Her parents, who were artists themselves, operated an art studio in Kealakekua-Kona, working with stained glass, blown glass, and pressed flowers. This early exposure to glasswork significantly influenced her future career path.

Despite having interests in Oceanography, Astronomy, and Mathematics, O’Dell chose to focus on Glass as her primary medium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She graduated in 1999 with a BFA in Studio Art, specializing in glass under the tutelage of Rick Mills.

Professional Development

O’Dell’s university program provided her with numerous opportunities to study and work at the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington. Eventually, she relocated there and became a member of the William Morris Winter Crew from 2003 to 2007. This experience, along with her island upbringing, greatly influenced her artistic style and themes.

Artistic Focus

O’Dell’s work primarily examines themes of Memento Mori, extinction, preservation, and origin. She often uses the ammonite, an extinct cephalopod, as a motif in her sculptures to explore these concepts. Her Hawaiian background and the diverse ecosystems she grew up around have significantly shaped her artistic perspective and commitment to environmental themes.

Teaching and Residencies

Throughout her career, O’Dell has shared her expertise by teaching glassmaking at various institutions, including:

• Pilchuck Glass School
• Pratt Fine Arts
• Penland School of Craft
• Niijima Glass Center (Japan)
• The Royal Danish Academy (Bornholm)
• Pittsburgh Glass Center
  
  

In 2023, O’Dell served a glass residency at The Henry Ford Museum in Michigan.

Exhibitions

O’Dell’s work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions:

Solo Exhibitions:

• Museum of Northwest Art
• Pittsburgh Glass Center
  
  

Group Exhibitions:

• Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT (“Fired Up: Glass Today”, 2022)
• Whatcom Museum, Bellingham, WA (“Fluid Formations: The Legacy of Glass in the Pacific Northwest”, 2021)
• Tacoma Museum of Glass
• Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA (“Glass Lifeforms 2021”)
• The Glasmuseum Lette of Coesfeld, Germany
• Glazenhuis, Lommel, Belgium (“Chinese Whispers”, 2022)
• Glasmuseet Ebeltoft, Denmark (“Chinese Whispers”, 2019-20)
  
  

Awards and Recognition

In 2023, O’Dell received The Myrna Palley Collaborators Award from the University of Miami, Florida.

Collections

O’Dell’s work is included in several prestigious collections:

• Tacoma Museum of Glass Permanent Collection
• Kamm Teapot Foundation
• Washington State Art Collection
• Robert M. Minkoff Foundation
• Glasmuseum Lette Collection
• The Henry Ford
• Fort Wayne Museum of Art
  
  

Personal Life

Currently, O’Dell resides on Lopez Island, Washington, with her husband, fellow glass artist Raven Skyriver, and their son Wren. Together with Skyriver, she has been working on establishing their own glass studio on the island, aiming to create a space for education, community engagement, and artistic creation.

Kelly O’Dell’s unique background, technical skill, and passionate commitment to environmental themes have established her as a significant figure in the contemporary glass art world. Her work continues to raise awareness about conservation and the delicate balance of life on our planet.