Darleen Nixon brings glass to life
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Creativity has always flowed through Darleen Nixon. From the smaller beads found in her jewelry or larger home and garden pieces, her glasswork is unique and vibrant. She first became involved in glass decades ago after taking a class in Port Townsend.
“There is just something magical about glass,” she explained. “You start with a solid, then it becomes a liquid, and then a solid again. It has so many variables.”
The first day of class did not go smoothly; she and other students set the table on fire. Still, once she got a taste of the art form, she was hooked.
“When you have molten glass in front of you, you can’t just walk away. You have to stay focused, involved,” Nixon explained, noting that other art mediums felt slow, and she saw the endless opportunities glass offered.
Thanks in part to Dale Chihuly, she is in the perfect region to do it. Founded by Chihuly, Pilchuck Glass School is located in Seattle and is nationally well-known. It’s attracted an array of young glass blowers in need of equipment and resources, which is why Nixon said she has access to more tools than glass blowers on the East Coast. She is also a member of the Glass Art Society, located in Seattle, which provides a variety of resources and opportunities for glass artists throughout the Pacific Northwest. The organization holds annual conferences, Nixon added, which are themselves a great resource, meeting and networking with fellow artists and learning about new trends and tools.
The Pacific Northwest, and the San Juans in particular, have become a hotbed for artists. When asked why she thought the islands had attracted such a high number of artists, Nixon responded, “If you can take your art anywhere, why not do it in the most beautiful place in the world? The beauty motivates you.”
That statement led to the question of what motivates her. “Color is what attracts me,” Nixon replied. She has been known to stop and sketch people on the street wearing colorful clothing and take note of colorful fabrics.
When asked why art is important to society as a whole, Nixon said, “It’s important because it allows you to take your mind and explore. I’ve had people tell me they aren’t creative, I say ‘yes, you are, you just haven’t found it.’”
Once one does find it, art helps build self-confidence, because to put art out into the world, to sell it, one must have self-confidence, Nixon says. “You are the first person to see your creativity, and you have got to have confidence if you are going to sell it someplace.”
For those interested in working in her jewelry studio, Nixon is looking for help. Visit her website to learn more about jewelry opportunities, Nixon’s work and her studio at https://www.nixonartglass.com. She will also be participating in the San Juan Islands Artist Studio Tour, June 6-7, https://www.sanjuanislandartists.com.
