Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlyn Ray.
Carlyn grew up around art in her mother’s gallery Carlyn Galerie. Being diagnosed at a young age with learning differences including dyslexia and being ADD, Carlyn Ray struggled with academics and finding different ways to grasp core subjects. After the Shelton School, Carlyn attended the Episcopal School of Dallas (ESD) which is when she decided to develop a program for struggling students who did not have the support system she was given.
Carlyn Ray was immediately attracted to glass blowing at from the moment she first saw glass as an eight-year-old girl. In the early 90’s her parents took her to the Dale Chihuly show at the DMA. She waited in a long line to get her book signed by Chihuly and told him personally that she would like to be a glass blower. He said she needed to come to his school in Washington.
After receiving a full volleyball Scholarship to the College of William and Mary, Carlyn graduated majoring in 3-D Art and minoring in Psychology. After graduating, she completely focused on glass. She studied and apprenticed at the oldest craft school in America, Penland School of Crafts, for two years. She then assisted the youngest glass master coming out of Europe who led her to Dale Chihuly’s school. Soon thereafter, she tried out and joined Chihuly’s team at Chihuly Inc. In her mid-twenties she became one of the few full-time employees working for Dale Chihuly in Seattle, Washington.
Her experience at Chihuly Inc reinforced the value of working together as a team to create site-specific installations. During her training, the trade hierarchy became very apparent. After a few years, she left Chihuly Inc to work for The Corning Museum of Glass to provide educational entertainment while blowing glass on Celebrity Cruises around the world. This experience showed her the value of teaching through the glass. Glassblowing shined light on the trade routes in history, science, forces, thermodynamics, and the future of glass in our world.
Through community support, Carlyn Ray opened her glass blowing studio Dallas Glass Art for her purpose- to share creativity, which to her is a spiritual connection. Her fine art line Carlyn Ray Designs involves custom art which makes a creative environment. Carlyn loves inviting her clients into the studio to participate in the creation of their piece during a private lesson. They pull glass for their chandelier, an accent color for a weaving or create a component for a sculpture.
The studio Dallas Glass Art teaches workshops, team building, private parties, and shares the creative process. “Glass is captivating to all generations, from the grandparents to the youngest grandkid. I love when we have family events,” Carlyn says.
Creative learning is achieved through the non-profit she founded, Art Reaching Out (ARO) which combines hands-on learning while making an art piece. There are many core concepts which ARO shares with students that Carlyn is passionate about. Carlyn says she first saw glassblowing when she was young and never saw a female blowing glass until she was much older, but that never stopped her. She pursued her career, worked with the best in the world, including masters from Italy. She says this was not because she was the best, but she brought a positive attitude, passionate grit, and a willingness to learn.
Her team shares similar stories and are positive mentors. ARO also introduces students to the trades that Carlyn found available more in Europe than in the U.S. Learning to blow glass or weld metal involves climbing a ladder of responsibility and in each step, there are a lot of life lessons.
Has it been a smooth road?
Glassblowing is expensive. To rent time or to build a studio, both take a commitment. I lived on an old dairy farm for a while in Austin, Texas after the cruise ship. I had a residency at West Texas A&M where I could blow glass for free and help teach the students along the way. I did that as long as I could and when I wasn’t there I blew glass at a studio in New Orleans. For about 2 years, I was really living out of my car, traveling wherever I could work, and bringing the pieces back to Dallas or Austin to assemble and install.
I came to the conclusion that I physically could not do that driving anymore and decided I either had to change professions or start my own studio. I choose the latter. I have been all in ever since I began my studio. My dog and I still live in the studio 5 years after opening. There is a lot going on, we are extremely busy, and I still I love what I do. I don’t see myself getting burned out. I’m happy being in the studio here with my dog Chai and sharing my home of glass with the community.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Glass is a magical material, one that starts with sand or dust, heated to the temperatures of a volcano (2100°F) and then can be inflated and shaped with our breath. The ancient glass blowing process involves all the elements: air, earth, water, spirit, and of course fire. Glass can be illuminated and holds the light. It has an atomic structure similar to a crystal and is also fluid like water. We are now in the Glass Age; glass is everywhere including our future.
I have a passion to share the creativity of glass with everyone. “Creating glass to me is a working meditation. Sharing glass with others brings to light a childlike imagination, a connection to a higher purpose, and a lens to see the world differently.” We are best known for our custom glass installations we have created for homes, lobbies, and in restaurants. Dallas Glass Art is the studio where my team and I teach the creative glass process. We are continually booked with private lessons, private parties, and team building events. We offer a hands-on approach and a window into the magic of creating with hot glass.
What people do not always know is that our studio shares glass with everyone, as well as with under-resourced students through the nonprofit Art Reaching Out.
Art Reaching Out (ARO) is a creative learning program whose purpose is to involve young women and under-resourced students to build glass art installations through a STEAM curriculum. One might be familiar with the previous term STEM. STEAM involves the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. ARO is a 501(c)(3) Dallas-based nonprofit which centers out of Dallas Glass Art. I developed the proof of concept over three years.
I am also a city official that serves The City of Dallas Urban Design Advisory Committee. I enjoy learning, advising and reviewing long range planning and area plans prior to City Plan Commission consideration and city council. I believe Dallas is a city of huge potential and with collective individual passion, the City of Dallas will be a colorful, imaginative, and exciting city, full of possibilities.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think and know Dallas is a great place for a starting artist and for an established artist. I was in Austin when Dale Chihuly had his best show at the Dallas Arboretum. That was a huge clue. As I loved the nature in Austin, I saw the potential in the City of Dallas.
People in Dallas are educated about fine art, thus they appreciate it. Dallas people seek experience and connection. We also have one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country and some of the wealthiest people. I believe with help and vision we can build a middle class and provide opportunities to our neighbors who need help. Art Reaching Out is my bridge and passion project. Dallas has a lot of room for improvement in building a middle class, improving public transportation, and building DISD schools.
Dallas is growing and we are gaining great citizens who are bringing in new ideas, ways of life and our minds keep opening. I love Dallas, right now it is like a lotus blossom, yearning to open and share all that it has to offer with the world. I encourage all creative people, intellectuals, and walks of life to join building this beautiful city.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1820 Irving Blvd
- Website: http://dallasglassart.com/ http://www.carlynraydesigns.com/ http://www.artreachingout.org/
- Phone: 214-741-1442
- Email: carlyn@carlynraydesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlynraydesigns/ https://www.instagram.com/dallasglassart/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarlynRayDesigns/
Image Credit:
Can Turkyilmaz, Holgar Obenaus
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