Artist Bio

“I have always loved glass. It didn’t occur to me that I could work with it as a medium until a friend introduced me to kilnformed glass in 1996. After 20 years as a fiber artist, I sold my studio contents to take up this newfound ‘glass passion’. Color is an essential part of my work, as is having fun and taking time to play with this versatile medium.  Nature is my primary source for inspiration, and my garden a close second.   I like working in series to fully explore every color combination and direction that can be taken for any given concept.”

Linda Steider is a studio artist working primarily with kilnformed glass. After twenty years of textiles and pastels, Steider transitioned to glass in 1997.  Her broad range of experience and skills brings a rare perspective to the world of glass.  Steider’s award winning work (both in fiber and glass) has been shown nationally and internationally.  Her pieces are included in private collections across North America, Europe, and Japan.  Current work can be seen at Columbia Art Gallery, Hood River OR; The Dalles Art Center, The Dalles, OR;  Pittock Mansion,  Natural Spaces, Mystique, Fireborne Gallery, Portland OR; and Artisans Jewelery and Gallery, White Salmon, WA.

Growing up, Steider was significantly impacted by the culture of the Yakama Tribe, and later, by the glitz of Hollywood.  That unlikely combination of influences are woven into her art and personality.   She has lived in the Columbia River Gorge since 1984, constantly awed and inspired by the majestic beauty of it’s diverse landscape.

Steider began instructing in 1987 at the community college level, adding kilnforming to her classes in 2001. In 2004 she began teaching at the national level traveling to glass conferences and distributors across the country.  Specializing in powdered glass, her teaching style is upbeat and information packed.  She is an enthusiastic instructor with a sharing attitude; “No secrets withheld” could be her bi-line according to appreciative student’s reviews.

A co-founder of the Gorge Chapter of the Oregon Glass Guild, Steider has been instrumental in promoting glass throughout the region.  She was co-producer of  ‘Glass in the Gorge’,  ‘Blossom Glass Gallery’, and  ‘June Glass Month’.  Steider facilitated many nationally acclaimed glass artists lecturing and teaching for the Gorge chapter of the Oregon Glass Guild.

Steider has studied with pioneer glass artists including Ruth Brockmann, Roger Thomas, Linda Ethier, Avery Anderson, Newey Fagan, and Richard LaLonde among others.

You can follow Linda’s inspirations, studio projects and more on her Facebook page – click the ‘like’ button to receive new notices in your news feed.

Steider Studios on Facebook