Our Studio’s Roots
Nicholson blown Glass
“As glass artists, Rick and Janet Nicholson are primarily drawn to the flow of color and the emotions they evoke. From cool serene blends to exciting pops of color, the Nicholson's glass offers unique works pulsing in vibrancy and variety. Viewers may find themselves swept up into an array of energetic blues straight from the Hawaiian beaches of Rick's childhood or drawn to the calming golden wheat and deep greens of their own beloved foothills. Exploring color through glass is an inspiring journey that Rick and Janet continue to enjoy.
Following his university education, Rick Nicholson operated a pottery studio full time in southern California from 1974 to 1981. Janet left her photography job in 1979 to freelance and create designs on Rick’s clay forms. They were married the same year, and their artistic collaboration began. By 1982, they were called to concentrate on glass alone and settled on 9 acres in Auburn, California where they raised two daughters.
Their work involves multiple piece wall and ceiling installations, awards, lighting and hot sculpting of the figure, birds and horses. Their [focus became] custom commissions for hotels, health care, offices and private residences internationally. “
Celebrating the laying of the Studio foundation
The studio is the heartbeat of the property. Rick and Janet lived in their trailer while this first structure on the property was constructed.
Completed Studio
Over the past 40 years, the Studio has stood on our property and has undergone quite a transformation in that time!
EDUCATION IN GLASS AND METAL
Susan Cooley-Gilliom Artist in Residency hosted Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen at the Nicholson Studio - 2017
The Pilchuck School , Pino Signoretto - Seattle, Washington - 2013
P ublic Glass, Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen and Jasen Johnsen - San Francisco, California - 2013
The Pilchuck School, Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen and Jasen Johnsen - Seattle, Washington -2012
Seattle Glassblowing Studio, Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen and Jasen Johnsen- Seattle,Washington - 2011
Eugene Glass School, Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen and Jasen Johnsen - Eugene, Oregon - 2006
The Pilchuck School, Dino Rosin - Seattle, Washington - 2003
The Corning Museum of Glass, Lucartha Kohler - Corning, New York - Kiln Casting - 2000
Sierra College, Jim Devore- Rocklin, California - Creative Designs in Metal - 1996-1999
The Pilchuck School, Fred Tschida and Brian Pike - Seattle, Washington - 1996
The Pilchuck School, Richard Marquis and Therman Statom - Seattle, Washington - 1985
The Pilchuck School - teaching asssistant, Dale Chihuly and Fritz Dreisbach - Seattle, Washington - 1981
University of Southern California, Don Hartman - Los Angeles, California - 1979-1981
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SKILLS
glassblowing and hot sculpting, casting, fusing
metal welding, forging, fabrication
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SELECTED COMMERCIAL COMMISSIONS
Artisan Partners - Atlanta, Georgia - 2017
WellStar Vinings Health Park - Atlanta Georgia - 2017
West Cancer Center - Memphis, Tennesee - 2015
Murphy Austin Attorneys - Sacramento, California - 2015
Hampton Inn - San Francisco, California - 2015
Sharp Hospital Rehabilitation Center - San Diego, California - 2014
Beth Israel Urgent Care - Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts - 2014
CBRE - Sacramento, California - 2014
Pompano Beach Marriott - Pompano Beach, Florida - 2013
Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe LLP Global Law - San Francisco, California - 2013
DLA Piper Law - Sacramento, California - 2013
Sutherland Law - Sacramento, California - 2013
Wisler Pearlstine Law, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania - 2012
Parker McCay Law - Mount Laurel, New Jersey - 2011
Ritz Carlton - Naples, Florida - 2011
The Biegert Group - Lone Tree, Colorado - 2011
The Westin Phoenix Downtown - Phoenix, Arizona - 2011
Loyola Medicine - Burr Ridge, Ilinois - 2011
Private Banking Firm, Fine Art Matters - Los Angeles, California - 2010
BMI - New York, New York - 2010
The 4 Points Hotel - Guangzhou, China - 2010
Law Offices of Mark A Berg - Auburn, California - 2010
The M Resort - Henderson, Nevada - 2009
Kaiser Permanente Medical Building - Roseville, California - 2009
The Ritz Carlton Hotel - Shenzhen, China - 2008
Hunton, Williams Law Firm - Dallas, Texas - 2008
Weil, Gotschal & Manges International Law Firm - Dallas, Texas - 2008
The Residences, The Ritz Carlton - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 2008
Lincoln Library at Twelve Bridges - Lincoln, California - 2007
Shangri-La Hotels, Shanghai and Beijing, China - 2006-2007
Art in Public Places - The Hart Center, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission - Sacramento, California - 2006
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
Hues in Harmony - The Artery - Davis, CA - 2017
Artists of Blue Line Arts - The TEMP Gallery - Sacramento, CA - 2014
Clay and Glass - Healdsburg Center For The Arts - Healdsburg, California - 2013
30th Jubilee - Placer Arts - Auburn, California - 2013, People's Choice
A morphous - Celebrating 50 Years of Studio Glass - Blueline Gallery - Roseville, California - 2012
Reflecting - Capital Public Radio - Solo exhibit - Sacramento, California - 2012
Images From Italy, Photography by Janet Nicholson - Latitudes -Auburn, California - 2012
Crossing Borders - ARTS - Auburn, California - 2011
Women in the Arts - Ocean Galleries - Avalon, New Jersey - 2011
Artstock - Loomis, CA 2010 - Gold Award of Excellence in Glass - 2010
The Glass Show - Union Hall Gallery - Sacramento, California - 2010
Crocker Art Museum Art Auction - Sacramento, Californa - 1991-2011, 2013-14
Landscape - Blueline Gallery - Roseville, California - 2009
Prismatic - 20th Street Gallery - Sacramento, California - 2009
Long and the Short of it - Blueline Gallery - Roseville, California - 2009
Central Library Glass Exhibit - Sacramento, California - 2007
Governor’s Mansion - Sacramento, California - 1999
Los Angeles International Airport - California Glass - 1999
Oakland Museum Collector’s Gallery - Featured Artist - Oakland, California - 1999
Pilchuck Glass School, Gala Auction - Seattle, Washington - 1994-97, 2005-07, 2012-14
SOFA - Mowen Solinsky Gallery - Chicago, Illinois - 2005-06
The White House - Christmas Ornament - Washington, D.C. - 1995, 1997
SELECTED GALLERIES
Avalon Gallery - DelRey Beach, Florida
Bennett Sculpture Gallery - Carmel , California
The Marshall Gallery of Fine Art - Scottsdale, Arizona
Ocean Galleries - Avalon and Stone Harbor, New Jersey
The Artful Home
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Glass Art Society - Pilchuck Society
American Craft Council - The Arts Council of Placer County
Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Fox 40 Sacramento - April 2016
Good Day Sacramento - Channel 31 - December 2014
Good Day Sacramento - Channel 31 - December 2013
Good Morning Sacramento - Channel 10 - May 2013
Amorphous Interview - October 2012
Sactown Magazine - Best of the City - Glass Act - June July, 2012
Get Blown Away - Style Magazine, 2010
At Home Magazine - The Art of Color and Light, 2009
Stepping Out Magazine - Portrait of an Artist Partnership, 2009
Feature Spot- PBS - Channel 6 - 1995/96
Feature Spot - Channel 7 - 2001
California Postcard - CBS Affiliate - Channel 10 - Feature 1992 and 2007
The Guild 1,2,5,7 - Gallery Edition: 1994 - Designers Edition and Handbook: 1998
The Guild Sourcebook of Architectural and Interior Art 23, 2008
The Guild Sourcebook of Art 24, 2009
Sierra Heritage Magazine - Feature Article, March - April 1989; September-October 1992; Front Cover, November - December 2000
Roseville Style Magazine - Feature article, Fall 2010
Guide to the Arts - Feature Article and Front Cover, Summer, 2004
Foothills Magazine - Feature article 2004
Inside Roseville Magazine - Feature article, Summer 2005
Sacramento Magazine - Featured photos, August 2005
At Home Magazine - Feature article, Spring Summer 2006
Insight - Capital Public Radio Podcast, 2012