Jen Violette’s passion for creating art began in early childhood. She learned basic drawing and woodworking skills from her father & sewing skills from her mother. Her paternal grandparents earned their living as studio artists at their home in Maine, and she was always inspired by their work and lifestyle. After graduating from high school in 1990, she decided to study art at Alfred University and received her BFA with honors from Alfred in 1994. She has studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, Pilchuck Glass School, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass and Penland School of Crafts. Her teachers include Lino Tagliapietra, William Morris, Dante Marioni, Richard Marquis, Pino Signoretto, Randy Walker and Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen.
Jen and her husband John Gerding live on a small farm in Wilmington, Vermont with their two young sons. Living in an old farmhouse with connected barns for her studio greatly inspires her daily thoughts and sketches. Jen is an avid gardener and draws great inspiration for her pieces from her vegetable & perennial gardens on their land.
Jen has won numerous awards for her glass and exhibits, and her unique mixed-media sculptures in many fine art galleries nationwide. Her work is included in numerous private collections throughout the world. Her timeless designs area stunning addition to any decor.
