Diane Bonciolini and Gregg Mesmer have been making beautiful glass together as Mesolini since 1977. Earlier this year, they were named Island Treasures for 2015 by the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council.
Their familiar installations — the Beach Glass Quilt on Winslow Way; the artwork at Rotary Centennial Park; and the installations at the Bainbridge Library and at The Waypoint across from the Art Museum — are easily recognizable for their signature fused glass style.
For Diane and Gregg, their community spirit is evident in all they do — from teaching and coaching at the public schools to leading the glass workers at the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN).
Each of them has contributed many hours and materials to our schools, designing murals and teaching kids the joy of working together creatively. They have introduced scores of people to the art of glass through classes and joint community projects.
Always eager to support other artists and nurture new talent, Gregg and Diane were also founding members of The Studio Tour and part of the core group that established the Working Studio Group.
Their latest effort includes support of the BARN, a nonprofit that has an interim multi-faceted facility at Rolling Bay and is seeking fund and build a new center for community creativity focused on craft and invention.
Gregg and Diane are excellent examples of artists who have created a sense of community around their work. Get to know them better in this intimate BCB interview on Who’s on Bainbridge.
And visit the Mesolini Glass website.
Credits: BCB host and audio editor: Sandy Schubach; BCB social media publisher: Barry Peters; Photo Credit: Tony Johnson Photography.