Glass 505: Blowing Glass in the Land of Enchantment | Spooner Marcus, Artist Lecture

Presented by Blue Rain Gallery in partnership with Glass Alliance-New Mexico, this artist lecture features acclaimed Indigenous glass artist Spooner Marcus (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) as he explores the intersections of Native American art, family history, contemporary studio glass, and the landscapes of the Southwest.

Spooner shares the story of his artistic journey, tracing his roots in Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, the influence of his great-grandmother Regina Nakai Alvarado, and his evolution as a pioneering voice in Indigenous glass art. Through personal stories, historic photographs, and examples of his work, Marcus discusses the ways Pueblo pottery traditions, archaeology, ecology, and contemporary glassmaking inform his creative practice.

The lecture offers a rare look into New Mexico’s Indigenous glass movement, including Marcus’ experiences at Glass Improvement, Taos Glass Arts, Prairie Dog Glass, and the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). Concluding with reflections on botany, conservation, and Indigenous relationships to place, this presentation highlights the enduring connections between culture, creativity, and the natural world.