Vicki Schneider

Like our lives, glass presents a dichotomy - an entity that is simultaneously strong and fragile. Through my designs and execution, I strive to illustrate these seemingly contradictory characteristics.

Adding a raw, earthy element, I display my pieces on wood that has been ravaged by the waters of Lake Erie. One might think that driftwood would be an abrasive contrast to smooth, shiny glass, but I find its weathered appearance further enhances the beauty of my sculptures and adds a sense of permanence to each installation.

Raised in New Jersey, “The Garden State,” I have always felt an affinity to nature, marveling at its beauty and intricate designs. At first, sculpting flowers in soda lime glass was beyond my reach, but with experience, experimentation, and tenacity, I succeeded accomplishing what most soft glass artists find impossible. My life-like representations of flowers grace galleries and homes of private collectors throughout North America.

As a child I remember visiting the Corning Museum of Glass where I sat for hours watching “magicians” transform glass into graceful, glistening sculptures. Fifty years later, I returned to CMoG to begin my studies. The awe I felt as a child is with me every day as I work at my torch.