In 1980 I left the east coast for a teaching assistantship with Richard Posner at the Pilchuck Glass school. When returning to Pilchuck in 1984 I met my husband John de Wit. We married in 1986 and bought 5 acres on Whidbey Island where we started Cultus Bay glass studio.

In 20 years we have created 6 buildings, a pet cemetery, many colorful gardens and our island life. In 2007 I turned 50. Inspired to make a difference in this crazy world I dedicated some time to raise 10,000 dollars for the St Bernard Project in New Orleans. This project has given me hope again that all things are possible.

" I have made my world and it is a much better world than I ever saw outside" - Louise Nevelson

EDUCATION
1980                        BFA, Glass, Massachusetts School of Art, Boston, MA     
                                (Requisite) Core Studies, Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Training
1998                        Traditional glass mosaic studies, Coldgiocco, Italy
1994-93                   Oregon College of Art & Craft, Portland, OR            
1986                        School of Visual Concepts, Seattle, WA
                                Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
1980                         Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA
                                Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
                                Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA

Awards and Grants
1990                         Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
1984                        Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA

Selected EXHIBITIONS
2008                        “Feathered Friends” Museo Gallery. Langley, WA.
                                “MGNE National Exhibition” Atttleboro Arts Museum, Attleboro,MA
                                “Glass Invitational,” Museo Gallery, Langley,WA
                                “The Artful Home Portfolio Competition” juried competition finalist, Guild Inc.
2007                        “Featured Artist,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
                                “Glass Invitational,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
                                “Art of Inspiration,” juried competition finalist, Guild Inc, Madison, WI
                                “Another View”, Weingart Gallery, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
2006                        “Printmaking Currents 2006”, Pacific Northwest College of Arts, Portland, OR
                                “Glorious Glass,” The Gallery, Bainbridge, WA
                                “Glass Invitational,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
                                “Three Person Exhibition,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
2005                        “Three Person Show,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
                                “Glass Invitational,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
2004                        “Details,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
                                “Glass Invitational,” Museo Gallery, Langley, WA
                                “Ellen Fruend Art,” Columbia St Studio Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2003                        “Connected”, 301 Gallery, Tacoma, WA
1996                        “Solo Book Show,” Women’s Studio Workshop, New York, NY
1992                        “12th Annual Print Show,” Seattle Art Museum Rental Gallery, Seattle, WA
                               “The Passionate Print,” Bumbershoot, Seattle, WA                                                                                                                         “Contemporary Survey,” Cliff Michel Gallery, Seattle, WA
1991                        “11th Annual Print Show,” Seattle Art Museum Rental Gallery, Seattle, WA
1990                        “Monotype Exhibit,” New city Theater, Seattle, WA
1989                        “7th Annual Juried Printmakers Show,” Fine Impressions Gallery, Seattle, WA
                                “Professional Print Category,” 43rd Pacific NW Artists Crafts Fair, Seattle, WA             

 

 

Bibliography
2008                        Pozo, Angelica, “500 TILES” An inspiring collection of International work
                                Lark Books  page108.cover front flap
2008                        Sikes, Toni “Your Guide to the Artful Home”                                                     
                                The Guild Sourcebook Of Residential Art Guild Sourcebooks  page215
2007                        Easton, Valerie. “Shared Sensibility,” The Seattle Times, Sunday Magazine,)
                                “Northwest Living” Dec  page 30-36
2004                        Browning, Dominique”The best on the Best” House & Garden,
                                Special issue ,Kitchens & Baths, page 39
1997                        Lygeria, Grace “Object Lesson” BathroomTiles House & Garden,
                                April issue, pg.75,
1997                        Markoutsas, Elaine “State of the Art ‘ Better Homes & Garden,                    
                                Special Interest Publication, Fall 1997, pg. 47
1994                        Schwartz, Christine “Notables” Elle Décor  Dec/Jan 1994 page 52
1981                        Glass Magazine, Volume 9, Number 1
                              
WORK EXPERIENCE
1989-Present           (President) - Cultus Bay Tile, Inc.
1987-1988               Assistant to glass artist Ginny Ruffner, Seattle, WA
1984-1988               Designer/Owner of Meredith Designs  (wholesale t-shirts and jewelry)
1985                        Assistant to Richard Posner (1% Project for the Arts) Veterans Hospital
                                                           
COMMISSIONS
1998                        Bus Shelter Mural Program, 3rd & Bell Downtown, Seattle, WA

Professional Organizations
                                Tile Heritage Foundation
                                Tile Council of North America
                                Artisan Tile Northwest
                                Seattle Print Arts
                                Book Arts Guild