Kathleen Elliot was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1958. She moved with her family to California in 1960 and grew up in Silicon Valley, where she still lives and works. Fascinated by craft from early childhood, she taught herself various techniques, and later undertook studies in philosophy, linguistics, and business strategy. She spent time in a commune before working as a hairstylist and make-up artist, administrator, corporate manager, educator, and writer. She has pursued her career as an artist since 2001.

Known for sculptures of botanical forms made from flameworked glass, Elliot has recently expanded her practice into mixed-media and collage works that address the developed world’s problematic relationship with food and the industries that surround it. She began working with glass in 1991 and has employed the material ever since, most often using the flameworking method. She attended Pilchuck Glass School, founded by Dale Chihuly, in 2001, 2002, and 2003, studying with leading glass artists Laura Donefer, Shane Fero, and Robert Mickelsen, returning in 2013 as an instructor.

In 2003, Elliot began making a series of glass sculptures titled “Natural Botanicals” based on plant forms such as branches and leaves. In 2007, she began also producing “Imaginary Botanicals,” focusing on invented and hybrid species. These and other series including “Liberty” and “Offerings” are informed by her inquiries into reality and ethics, which she began in the context of her interest in alternative spiritual disciplines. Elliot participated in shamanic ceremonies and practices while studying Helen Schucman’s A Course in Miracles and has received instruction from spiritual leaders including Carlos Castaneda.

Elliot has exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States including solo presentations at venues including the Pensacola Museum of Art, Florida; Tenri Cultural Institute, New York; Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach; Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Salisbury, North Carolina; Museum of the Southwest, Midland, Texas; and Neusole Glassworks, Cincinnati, Ohio. Her work is represented in several prominent collections including that of the Oakland Museum of California; Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington; and Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, Massachusetts. It has also been covered in publications including American Style, World Art Glass Quarterly, Glass Line, dArt International, and Sculpture.

Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton, MA
Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA
Oakland Museum of California
Premier Tom Marshall of Newfoundland and Labrador
Mayor of Okayama, Japan
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ireland

Solo Exhibitions
2019
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago, IL
Steinberg Museum of Art, Brookville, NY
Alden B. Dow Museum, Midland Arts Center, Midland, MI
Neusole Glassworks, Cincinnati, OH
2018
Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art, Scranton, PA
Museum of the Southwest, Midland, TX
2017
McAllen International Museum of Art and Science, McAllen, TX
San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX
Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler, AZ
2016
Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts, Gadsden, AL
2015
Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, Monroe, LA
Franklin G. Burroughs – Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum, Myrtle Beach, SC
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Salisbury, NC
Founders Hall Art Gallery, Soka University, Aliso Viejo, CA
2014
The Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL
Meadows Museum of Art, Centenery College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA
2013
Ellen Noel Art Museum, Odessa, TX
“Living Flame,” Museum of Art and History, Lancaster, CA
“The Natural & The Imaginary,” Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI
“Imaginary Botanicals,” Tenri Cultural Institute, New York, NY
“Eden Revisited”, Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science, Visual Arts Center, Sioux Falls, SD
2012
“Eden Revisited,” Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, Panama City, FL
“Art of the Organic,” University of Oregon, Cultural Forum, Eugene, OR
“Eden Revisited,” Pensacola Museum of Art, Pensacola, FL
2009
“Playing with Fire,” Ariana Gallery, Royal Oak, MI
2008 PISMO Fine Art Glass Gallery, Denver, CO
2006 William Traver Gallery, Tacoma, WA

2-Person Exhibitions
2014
Foosaner Art Museum, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
“Glass and Charcoal: The Art of Kathleen Elliot and Huguette Despault May,” Ringling College of Art and Design, Selby Gallery, Sarasota, FL
Mattie Kelly Arts Center, Northwest Florida State College, Niceville, FL
2013
“Playing with Fire,” Morris Museum, Morristow, NJ, exhibition with Paul Stankard
“A Continuous Mark,” The Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum, Lafayette, LA
2012
Rankin Art Gallery, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI

Group Exhibitions

2022 “Parallel Fields”, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, San Luis Obispo, CA
2021 “Parallel Fields”, University Art Galleries, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD
2020
Invitational Glass Show, Curated by Shelley Muzylowski Allen, Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
“48th Annual International Glass Invitational Award Exhibition”, Habatat Gallery, Royal Oak, MI
2019
“Parallel Fields”, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
“Transmutation”, Anno Domini, San Jose, CA
2018
“Workhouse Glass National Exhibit 2018”, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton, VA
“Parallel Fields”, Lichtundfire Gallery, New York, NY
2017
“Resonance and Memory: The Essence of Landscape”, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Art Gallery, Gorham, ME
“Resonance and Memory: The Essence of Landscape”, Missouri State University, Brick City Gallery, Springfield, MO
“Resonance and Memory: The Essence of Landscape”, Irving Arts Center Galleries and Sculpture Garden, Irving, TX
2016
“Resonance & Memory: The Essence of Landscape”, Michelson Museum of Art, TX
“Resonance & Memory: The Essence of Landscape”, Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, Monroe, LA
2015
“Resonance and Memory: The Essence of Landscape”, Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Fort Smith, AR
“Kathleen Elliot Presents”, Empire Seven Studios, San Jose, CA, Invitational exhibition in collaboration with curator Micaëla van Zwoll
“Mooncakes, Churros, and Cherry Pie”, Euphrat Museum, Curator Diana Argabrite, Cupertino, CA
“California Now”, Richmond Art Center, Richmond, CA
2014
“Resonance and Memory: The Essence of Landscape”, Elga Wimmer PC, New York, NY, Curator, Robert Curcio
2013
“Visions, The Next 50 Years, 41st Annual International Glass Invitational,” Habatat Galleries, Royal Oak, MI
2006-2012
“Playing with Fire, Artists of the California Studio Glass Movement”, Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA, Curator, Micaëla van Zwoll
“Playing with Fire,” Philabaum Glass Gallery, Tucson, AZ
“Incendiary Dreams,” Hodgell Gallery, Sarasota, FL. Curator, Robert Mickelsen
“The Nature of Glass,” Schack Art Center, Everett, WA. Curators, William and Sarah Traver
“COLD+HOT,” Micaela Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Curator, Micaela Van Zwoll
“Colour,” Hodgell Gallery, Sarasota, FL. Curator, Laura Donefer
“Glass Jewelry: An International Passion for Design,” Kentuck Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville, KY
Statewide Drawing and Print Competition & Exhibition,” Triton Museum of Art, Santa Clara, CA. Juror, Roberta Loach
“Feminine Essence,” Judy Youens Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
“UrbanGlass Gala Auction,” Brooklyn, NY
“Momentum,” Art Object Gallery, San Jose, CA
“Bay Area Annual,” Sanchez Art Center, Pacifica, CA. Juror’s Award, JoAnne Northrup, then Chief Curator of San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA
“SOFA,” Chicago, IL
“Bay Area Glass Sculpture,” Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, CA. Jurors, George and Dorothy Saxe
“Unbreakables,” Cabrillo College Gallery, Aptos, CA
“Glass in the Community,” City Windows Gallery, San Jose, CA. Curator, Kathryn Funk
“Made in California, Glass from the Golden State,” Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, CA
“Intimate Nature,” Galleria di Vetro, New Smyrna Beach, FL. Curator, Robert Mickelsen
“Art Scottsdale,” Scottsdale, AZ