Selma Joyce Glass

Randy Southerland, a contributing writer of the Atlanta Business Chronicle wrote an article featuring Atlanta native and resident Selma Glass. In 1988, “she was riding the bus to work in Buckhead when she noticed the big red Binders sign trumpeting art supplies and framing. Day after day as the bus rolled out of the Lindbergh Plaza MARTA station turning left to travel down Piedmont, she stared at the sign and thought about how much she wanted to be an artist (Southerland, 2004).”

“Then one day after scraping together $6, Glass finally ventured in for the first time. She met Krinsky, who encouraged her to try painting. She left with a small brush, canvas and two tubes of paint. “It took me six months to get off the bus and go in the store,” Glass recalled. “I was praying, hoping and wishing that I could be an artist, because they’re doing something they like.” Although her first attempts at painting were discouraging, Glass continued to come into the store and discuss her progress with Krinsky. She took up paper sculpture and soon realized that was her true calling. Completely self-taught, her work soon began attracting attention in the art community (Southerland, 2004).”

Coming full circle, when Binder’s (the store where Glass first bought supplies) decided to open a gallery within their store in June of 2004, they selected Glass as the inaugural artist for their Limelight Gallery. Glass soon emerged as an imaginative and bold colorist who draws inspiration from the natural world around her and her strong faith. Working in a variety of mediums including acrylic, clay, mixed media, paper, pastel, and pen and ink, she uses her unique perspective to convey a joyfulness and playfulness through stylistic contours and dynamism. One cannot help but be happy looking at one of Glass’ creations.

Today, Glass’ paper collages and other pieces have drawn worldwide acclaim. Her pieces hang in the homes of collectors and celebrities alike, including Ambassador Andrew Young, Gladys Knight, Oprah Winfrey’s father and many other private collectors. Glass has received acclaim in a variety of styles including sculptured paper, collages, abstracts and interior design. Awards received include The Sable Award from The United Negro College Fund, The African American Heritage Committee Award in Yokoto, Japan and (recent awards). She continues to add more versatility in her work by also producing works of stone, clay, glass and jewelry.

Numerous shows and awards have established Glass as a solid fixture in the art world, and her work has been commissioned for permanent collections around the world, including Piedmont Physicians, Emory University, The Maryland Governor’s Office, The National Bar Association and The West African Embassy, among others.

Painting of Selma Glass by Susan Smith

Awards, Commissions, Exhibitions

PUBLIC REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
“Selma has the best taste of color of anyone I’ve known as a starving artist – a real true artist. She’s a natural artist with use of forms, theme, and color relationships.”
– Dr. C.T. Vivian – 2013 Recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award – Collector

“Selma’s artwork not only embodies the subject matter on which she endeavors, but expressively and more so instinctively it always transcends a glimpse into Selma’s spirit and soul.”
-Howard Krinsky, Art Partners LLC – Binders Art Supplies & Frames.

“Glass’ paper collages and other pieces have drawn worldwide acclaim. “
– Randy Southerland, Contributing Writer, Atlanta Business Chronicle.

“Never ever stop doing the paper sculpture!”
– Dr. Michael Schlossberg – Collector of Nineteenth Century French Master Drawings and Sculpture.