Man of art and science

In order to be a Renaissance man, one must excel in both the arts and sciences. Conrad Bagley, 45, fits the bill. He creates art in almost every medium and practices science in the form of psychology.

His list of artistic endeavors includes glass making, pottery, metal sculpture, painting, drawing and carpentry.

“I do different types of art because if I get bored, I move on to another medium,” he said, “It revitalizes me.”

His Millwood residence sits on a little over two acres and serves as a sort of working example of his creativity. Many areas are designated as studio space. A potter’s wheel and kiln are in the basement; his garage serves as storage for wood and as a welding and grinding studio for metal pieces. One outbuilding houses tools for glass fusing, slumping and casting, while others contain a multitude of art accessories.

He even built some of the buildings himself.

The house itself shows off his different styles with stained and fused glass inserted into door frames, large glass bricks and tiles in the bathroom, and original woodwork in the study.

The grounds are decorated with outdoor sculptures. Made with glass and steel, they are a dichotomy; one material smooth and fragile, the other rough and unbendable.

He also incorporates the rule of three into his pieces. The idea is that there are always (at least) three solutions to everything, or three ways to look at things. He uses this concept in both his therapy practice and his art. Some patterns of three are the Catholic Trinity; the Hindu Trinity; birth, life, and death and Bagley’s own rule of three: Keep up momentum, never have expectations and always remember the rule of three.

A 1982 graduate of Eastern Washington University who then did graduate work at EWU, Bagley is a part-time private practice therapist and teaches parenting classes.

He started to call himself an artist about 10 years ago. “Before that, I just made stuff,” he said.

Bagley creates something every day. Even as a therapist, he does art assessments with clients by interpreting their designs and color choices. He also does all that he can to promote the arts. He puts on an annual event at Arbor Crest Winery called Glass on Grass, and other events centered around the aesthetics.

Bagley thinks the art scene in the Valley is growing but needs to collaborate more and organize itself better.

“We need to get the public to recognize local art,” he said, “and identify art as a valuable thing.”

If Bagley had his way, Spokane Valley would be a Renaissance city.