Local Artist Exhibit in Balboa Park

Using fragments of glass transformed by the Cedar fire, Charlotte Mitchell creates luminous pieces of art. Photos by Jamey Ritter

The 2003 Cedar Fire took away Charlotte Mitchell's glass studio. but it gave her inspiration to create powerful sculptures from fragments that remained. She is able to turn tragedy on its head and give hope and joy to others through her art. This "fire to create" has now culminated in her first solo exhibition. The destruction and heartache in the backcountry near Julian is now the site of a re-birth.

Many of her sculptures incorporate fire remnants and the written word. Especially exciting are the cross-sections of blackened slabs of fused glass from her own studio that capture the movement of the fire. All her work uses three-dimensional stained glass. Glass along with ceramic and copper elements are transformed into dramatic images of survival and hope.

You are invited to the"Colors of Life-Glass Sculpture of Hope and Redemption" exhibition by artist Charlotte Mitchell March 2-14. The artist reception will be held March 4 from 4- 8 p.m. The exibition is at Gallery 21, Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park located at 1770 Village Place. It is free and

open to the public.