Artist in Residence

The Henry Ford invites internationally renowned artists to spend a week in the Greenfield Village Glass Shop during the summer. The artist in residence collaborates with our glassblowers, creating unique objects that demonstrate their distinctive approach to glassmaking for our visitors. Each artist creates one work of art destined for The Henry Ford’s collection.

In 2023, we are proud to welcome two new artists in the months of June and July. Kelly O’Dell’s work mainly examines species extinction, conservation and human impact on the natural world. Jen Elek’s work focuses on sculptural objects that display the material’s ability to reflect, magnify and represent bold color. 

2023 Guest Artists

June 2-6, 2023 Kelly O’Dell was raised on the Big Island of Hawai'i and chose glass as her primary focus at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. The program offered her many opportunities to study and work at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, and she eventually relocated there as a member of the William Morris Winter Crew. Influenced by this talented team of artists and by her island upbringing, O’Dell’s work mainly examines species extinction, conservation and human impact on the natural world. She has recently returned to island life, residing on Lopez Island, Washington.

July 3-7, 2023 Jen Elek is a Northwest studio artist and educator working in glass. Elek uses blown furnace glass to create sculptural objects that display the material’s ability to reflect, magnify and represent bold color. Traditional and innovative processes combine in her work to create colorful landscapes of glass. Elek holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Art and Design at Alfred University. Since moving to Seattle, Washington, in 1995, Elek has worked as both a glass artist and metal fabricator for many notable Northwest artists. Currently, Elek shares a neon and metal fabrication studio with her husband in Seattle. Elek exhibits her work internationally.