Marcia Clark, Kaleidoscope Artist

Artist Statement

My first kaleidoscope was red cardboard.  Even though it was paper, it filled me with delight and amazement.  I was only four, and the sense of awe I felt has filled me ever since. 

My journey towards becoming an artist followed a diverse and exciting path.  A successful career in surgical sales and management was followed by earning bachelors and masters degrees and also a private pilot license.  In the 1980’s, my heart was touched by the lives of children living with life threatening illnesses, and I founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania, was a founding board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and later its National Executive Director.

Two themes have served as a compass for my life:  service to others and a desire to be an artist.  In 1999 I began to create kaleidoscopes and studied with several gifted kaleidoscope artists.  This art is my joy and my passion and my life’s work.  Each kaleidoscope I create is intended to be an heirloom.

My kaleidoscopes are crafted in etched glass and in various metals.  I create limited and open editions and one-of-a-kind kaleidoscopes which are sold in galleries across the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom.  “Dance…Series II”, a limited edition hand-forged copper kaleidoscope, was awarded the 2005 Niche Award for Mixed Media.  My art has been featured in “The Craft Report” and “Antiques and Collectibles.”  Because of my belief in the healing qualities of kaleidoscopes, Dr. H. Ochi invited me to write a chapter for his book, “Kaleidoscopes and Healing” published in Japan.  I enjoy mentoring new artists and teach at Touchstone Center for the Arts and also The Society for Contemporary Crafts in Pittsburgh PA.

I believe that kaleidoscopes take us to another place, and that is the place of the spirit.  Kaleidoscopes are art for body, mind and spirit.  The delight I found in my red cardboard kaleidoscope is ever present each time I look through a kaleidoscope.

KALEIDOSCOPES:  ART FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT ™

Marcia Clark, Kaleidoscope Artist
Biography

Marcia Clark’s journey toward becoming an artist followed a diverse and dynamic path.   As a child, she was always drawn to artistic pastimes and found abundant joy in her creations.  She would have pursued a path in art upon high school graduation, but circumstances dictated different choices.


After a successful career in the field of surgical equipment sales and management where she trained surgeons in highly technical procedures, Marcia earned an undergraduate degree in Business and Economics from Chatham College.  She went on to pursue a Masters Degree in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Between degrees, her desire to soar led to getting a private pilot’s license.  She also delivered motivational keynote speeches including “Dare to Dream:  Live Your Life, Don’t Let Life Live You.”  Little did she realize her own life would embody that message.

In 1982 a TV show about the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona inspired Marcia to start the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania.  She was also a founding board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and served as it national Executive Director.  She found relaxation from the demands of her busy schedule in art galleries, art courses, and crafts.

Twin themes have continuously served as the compass for Marcia’s life:  service to others and the desire to become an artist.  She continues to consult with non-profit organizations,  currently serves on the Board of The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, and is now finally pursuing her passion for art as one of only 60 working kaleidoscope artists in the United States.  While she has always studied and created art, since 1999 she has created kaleidoscopes.

Marcia mastered her craft through intense study with other artist mentors and through the rigors of trial and error.  She is committed to superior quality and cutting edge design.   She works in etched glass and various metals, creating limited and open edition kaleidoscopes as well as one-of-a-kind pieces.  Her work is sold in galleries in the United States, England and Japan where she enjoys the honor of having her work displayed in the Sendai Kaleidoscope Art Museum.   Her limited edition kaleidoscope, “Dance…Series II” was a 2005 Niche Award  Winner.  She is featured in the March 2005 “Craft Report,”  September 2005 “Antiques and Collecting,” and recently featured in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette as well as on KDKA television.  Her belief in the healing qualities of the kaleidoscope led Dr. H. Ochi to invite her to write a chapter for his book, “Kaleidoscopes and Healing” published in Japan.

In the spirit of legacy, Marcia enjoys teaching others the art of creating kaleidoscopes.  She serves on the adjunct faculty at Touchstone Center for the Arts as well as the Society for Contemporary Crafts in Pittsburgh.  She also enjoys mentoring new kaleidoscope artists.

Clark is a member of the Brewster Kaleidoscope Society and the Washington Artist’s Cooperative.   She believes that kaleidoscopes are art for mind, body, and spirit, and strives to infuse that vision into every creation.

KALEIDOSCOPES:  ART FOR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT ™