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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Balazs and friends share stage at CdA exhibit

Among the work appearing at the “Harold Balazs and his Enamellist Friends” exhibit (clockwise from above): Harlan Butt’s “Goldfinch Vessel,” Mary Chuduk’s “Look – Pendant,” Michael Horswill’s “Poetry,” Lynne Hull’s “Squared Bowl,” Harold Balazs’ “A Move to the Left,” Jan Arthur Harrell’s “Kiwi – Banquet for the Muse” and Delia DeLapp’s “In the Clouds.”

Enameling is an art form that dates back to ancient times. The process, by which powdered glass is fused on to metal, glass or pottery, was used by ancient Egyptians, in the Byzantine Empire of the Middle Ages, and through to the glorious eggs created by Peter Carl Fabergé from 1885-1917.

Of course, enameling is alive and well in the Northwest. Harold Balazs, the celebrated Mead sculptor and artist, has been working in enamels since the 1940s. Beginning Friday, more than 30 of his enamel pieces will be on display at the Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene.

Joining Balazs in exhibiting at Art Spirit will be 15 enamel artists from across the country, names culled from a list of artists Balazs has known and admired, according to an Art Spirit news release. Among the regional representatives: Allen and Mary Dee Dodge of Coeur d’Alene, Michael Horswill of Hayden Lake, Cheryll Leo-Gwin of Redmond, Wash., and Delia DeLapp of Eagle, Idaho.

From staff reports