Workhouse Artist of the Week: Sandi Martina

Sandi Martina was attending the Elizabeth Hartwell Eagle Festival at Mason Neck State Park in 2008 when she noticed an information table for the Workhouse Arts Center. “I’d driven by the Lorton Prison many times and wondered what was being done there,” said Martina. She soon toured the Workhouse and almost immediately registered for classes. “I just went nuts I was so excited,” she said. Three years later, Martina is the May featured artist for the Glasshouse, Building W-7.  

For 30 years Martina made her living as a graphic designer, but had never worked with glass. “I took Gene Sterud’s three mosaic classes, one after the other,” said Martina. Sterud is a retired anthropologist/archaeologist who teaches mosaic. “Gene suggested that I try a mosaic in glass. Then Dave Barnes had a fusing workshop. I learned the basics and have been at it ever since,” she said.

Martina was one of four students who met in Gene Sterud’s mosaic classes and later became close.  “We took classes, became friends, volunteered, and were at the Workhouse all the time,” said Martina. When a studio became available in October 2009, the four were offered the opportunity to form the Workhouse Mosaic Residency Group. The group consists of Martina, Andy Mays, Jeri Oakerson, and Suellen Black.

Recently, Martina began experimenting with glass lattice work that incorporates pieces of copper. “I started with a 12” x 12” lattice look, messing around with colors, when I thought it might like cool to use a metal,” she said. “Copper is very malleable, and I had scraps around, so I wove a piece of copper into the glass lattice.”

Some of her glass and copper lattice creations are on display in her featured exhibit this month.

The bases and stands for Martina’s work are themselves pieces of art. Tex Forrest, Martina’s boyfriend and a metal and multimedia artist, helps her create them.  “Sometimes he uses scraps he finds, like a C-beam or a truck leaf spring,” said Martina. 

Martina said she’s always loved shiny, sparkling things, and collected glass pieces.  “I wanted another creative outlet and I found it at the Workhouse,” she said. “This has been an incredible journey. I keep experiencing, growing and learning. I’m glad I found the Workhouse Arts Center, and I’m glad I found glass,” she said.