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Finally had a chance to catch my breath from a rushed viewing of the 18th Annual Sculpture Objects and Functional Art Fair (SOFA) held at Chicago’s Navy Pier!.
This year’s SOFA Chicago featured more than 60 international art galleries and dealers presenting museum-quality artworks and design, as well as lecture and tour series.
SOFA CHICAGO 2011 highlights included:
Maurine Littleton Gallery
The Washington, DC gallery showcased the newest works by WGS artists Michael Janis and Allegra Marquart alongside some of the “glass superstar legends” like Harvey Littleton, Therman Statom and Ginny Ruffner.
Works shown include Colin Reed, John Littleton, Kate Vogel, Harvey Littleton, Michael Janis, Therman Staom, Allegra Marquart, Ginny Ruffner and Drew Storm Graham.
Allegra Marquart’s new narrative sandcarved glass panels (L) and Drew Storm Graham’s wood assemblages (R).
John Littleton and Kate Vogel’s cast glass artwork.
Michael Janis’ painterly fused glass artwork
Jane Sauer Gallery
The Santa Fe gallery had a strong mix of artists in a variety of media.
Tim Tate’s video reliquaries are always a show favorite.
The Cincinnati gallery had a stunning solo show of cast glass work by Bertil Vallien.
A stunning cross-section of Bertil’s works. 
Bertil’s ladle cast glass encases beautiful imagery.
The Portland, OR based gallery featured the new directions kilnformed glass is heading.
April Surgent’s cameo-etched work.
Silvia Levensen’s fun sculpture and fused glass panels.
Catherine Newell’s new fused glass panels.
Always a must-see, the New York gallery had some instant favorites.
Susan Taylor Glasgow’s “Communal Nest” -a large-scale assemblage consisting of glass twigs, real branches, a chair and a glass pillow. The work was built with help from the community and from artists around the world, all of whom contributed glass twigs to this “collective” nest. But despite these and other it-takes-a-village aspects — Susan’s work ultimately suggests a rather ironic view of home.
Susan Taylor Glasgow’s visions of domestic bliss.
Steffan Dam’s glass recalls scientific analysis.
Marc Petrovic’s roll-up process and stunning technique and aesthetic continues to amaze and impress. 
Beth Lipman’s table of fish.
The St Louis gallery featured some glass beauties.
Kari Russell Pool’s beautiful flameworked sculptures.
Cassandra Blackmore’s abstract glass panels.
Janis Miltenberger’s flamework sculpture at Thomas Riley Galleries.
Australia’s Beaver Gallery showed Jeremy Lepisto’s crate series.
Wexler Gallery showed how the simplicity of Sydney Cash’s work plays with the light.
Blue Rain showed the fun and beautiful work by Rik Allen. Here a glass spaceman floats amongst the glass.
The annual show was a great time to see the best of media-based artwork and meet some of the artists I’ve only read about.
Many thanks to Betty Py for the photos – for more of her images of glass art shown at SOFA – CLICK HERE to jump to the Flickr site she set up for Washington Glass School.