TOLEDO, OH.- Canadian Laura Donefer, who has been using glass as a primary medium in her work for more than 27 years, is the fourth artist invited to participate in the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA)’s prestigious Guest Artist Pavilion Project (GAPP). She The American-born Donefer, who now lives in Harrowsmith, Ontario will be an artist in residence from May 14-22, 2010 and will return in the fall to continue her work.

The GAPP program invites one glass or contemporary artist per year to visit the Museum and spend time creating new work inspired by the TMA collection. In return, tThe Museum has asked the selected artists to give forputs no demands on the artist, other than one a public lecture and a glass-working demonstration relating to their worktime spent interacting with the public, both of which have been well-received by the public during past GAPP residencies in the past. during glassblowing demonstrations.

“The GAPP program is made possible by a generous donor to the Museum who believes strongly in public education and allowing these established artists the freedom and resources to explore their work in new ways without any pressure or restrictions,” said Amy GilmanJutta-Annette Page, curator of modern glass and contemporary decorative artsart and GAPP program co-administrator.

Known as an artist with a brilliant command of color and attention to detail, Laura Donefer has a mastery of blowing, hot casting, and torch- working glass. Much of her most more recent work is a study of ancient baskets with vivid colors and “handles” adorned with flame- worked beads, as well as shells and fibers. She plans to continue that work in Toledo, while also exploring a new installation of wild, contemporary baskets.

Laura’s vibrant personality is as colorful as her work. She is well known in the glass community for her glass “fashion shows”— events highlighting eclectic, beautiful and outrageous outfits made of glass (and some fabric) that have been the talk of the Glass Art Society’s international conferences in 2004 and 2009.