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Avolio GlassWerks is the combined glass blowing effort
of Judith Konesni and Michael Fortin. With more than 50 years of combined glass working expertise, Michael and Judith specialize in traditional hand blown glass and have also created impressive cast forms, dramatic fused and kiln formed works, and detailed lampworked creations. Individually Judith and Michael are able to invent colorful, unique items that are perfect for home and office; as gifts for friends, family or clients; corporate awards large and small. As a team their experience places them at the highest level; able to meet a client's needs for lighting, commercial and private installations, public art (indoors and out), and architectural installations of all kinds. |
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Judith E. K. Konesni
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Judith Konesni was born in "The Glass Capital," Toledo, Ohio in the summer of 1959. While growing up in the Toledo area Judith was exposed to glass, both the industrial process and the artistic endeavors that have earned Toledo it's rightful place in the history of the American glass movement. After studying painting, and sculpture at the University of Toledo she was given an opportunity through a joint program with the Toledo Museum of Art to redirect her efforts toward glass. She received her B.F.A. in 1981 as a painting major with a double minor in sculpture and glass. Judith Konesni has continued to learn, grow and create as a profession glass artist. She has participated in workshops by Richard Ritter, Stephen Dee Edwards, William Gundenrath, Dante Marioni, Loren Stump, Emilio Santini, as well as several others. Judith's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries in the United States, Canada, and Japan. During this time she has won many awards and honors including the "Dominic Labino Memorial Award for Excellence in Glass" in 1991. In 1997 Judith moved with her family from Toledo to Kalamazoo, Michigan. In Kalamazoo, she continues to create and sell her unique aquatic sculptures. Combining subtle transparent and bold opaque colors, using repetitive cutting techniques and sculpting hot bits Judith brings to life individual fish, invertebrates, and entire coral reefs in glass. Impressive corporate awards, unique client gifts, stunning public and private installations, dramatic lighting and individual commissions are also all within Judith's repertoire and expertise. "Hot glass is extreme yet exciting and the drama of working with molten glass, creating unusual shapes and working with different tools of the glass world is such a life-changing experience! Email: Judith Konesni |
  
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Michael J. Fortin
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Michael Fortin was born in a place some call, "God's country," the upper peninsula of Michigan in 1973. As a youth, Marquette's picturesque location along the Lake Superior shore offerd him countless examples of art in nature. Michael has been involved as an artisit for more than twenty years, first as a musician and now, for more than 15 years, as a glass artist. Michael's experimentation with glass began in 1999 with a one year lampworking apprenitiship. In 2002 Michael met Judith Konesni and was introduced to off-hand furnace glass blowing. He has continued to grow and learn both from paricipating in workshops and from teaching at the West Michigan Glass Art Center. Michael has studied with or assissted several visiting artists at WMGAC including Marc VandenBerg, Emilio Santini, Loren Stump, and Emma Varga. "The molten glass that I use to create my art starts as rare and pure elements from the earth that are heated to nearly 2400º. Then with my own hands, I shape and control this most unforgiving medium into what is today, my art." Email: Michael Fortin |
 
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