Debra Adelson

I am formally trained jeweler who graduated from art school before “carbon footprint” and “climate change” were terms used in our everyday vernacular. As a young artist, I used plastics as a way to add and element of color to my work. However, as the global conversation changed, I felt trapped into continuing to use plastics to make the work that I was known for and successful with. After a great deal of soul searching, I decided my only option was to reinvent myself, and searched for a more sustainable material. Through years of experimentation, I have developed my own cold-working techniques where I sculpt glass at room temperature using a combination of traditional glass grinding and lapidary techniques including laminating, carving, drilling, cutting, sanding, polishing, and stone wheel engraving. I utilize a mix of new and upcycled materials which I pair with natural gems and minerals to create richly colorful and opalescent pieces that not only reference the beauty of nature, but narratively explore environmental issues. My goal is to blur the lines between natural and manmade elements, as well as gently touch upon the concepts of precious and non-precious materials.