Deanna Clayton and Keith Clayton

Deanna Clayton is an American glass artist that creates glass sculpture in vessel form as well as figurative works. She specializes in the glass casting technique called pate de verre. She received her AFA from Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pennsylvania, in 1990. She continued her education at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio (1991-1993), and received her BFA from the University of Illinois in Urbana in 2002. She has taught classes in her techniques at places such as Corning Glass in  New York, The Cleveland Institute of Art, DMG Glass Project in St Petersburg, Florida.

Deanna found herself modeling clay into a human vessel rather than a decorative one. The translation of the clay form into glass again harnessed the glass’ ability to show life in the material. She often leaves soft, flowing edges at the base of the sculptures to add to the sense of impermanence. The electroplated copper is aesthetically pleasing, but it also ground the figures, enhancing their presence. "I love the versatility and freshness of glass as an artistic medium; the potential for expression in contemporary glass is limitless" stated Deanna.

Keith Clayton was born in 1964 outside Philadelphia and raised in Bucks County. He was introduced to glass at Bucks County Community College in 1989 where he met his now wife, Deanna. Keith and Deanna pursued an education in glass that took them to Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, Kent State University in Ohio and the University of Illinois.

During Keith’s tenure as a graduate student under the tutelage of the famed William Carlson, he began the pâte de verre vessel series that has become a trademark in both his and Deanna’s work today. It combines the beauty of the pâte de verre glass with electroplated copper. After Keith had finished his studies, he went on to use this technique to make work to sell in a number of galleries. The work was quite successful and soon he asked Deanna to join him. For years they collaborated on these vessels until Keith moved on to a more sculptural realm with the work and Deanna branched off on her own versions of the technique.

While attending the University of Illinois, the pair started her own glass studio. After 10 years in Illinois, in 1995 the couple moved to Sister Bay, Wisconsin with their three children. Deanna is co-owner and operator of Clayton Castings, Inc. – Glass Studio. The two continue to show together and operate a large studio and continue to make all of their work by themselves. They show nationally with many major galleries and participate in various international shows throughout the year. They also maintain two seasonal galleries on their property: The K. Allen Gallery and D.C. Studio Gallery. During the winter they operate and teach at their school for glass, The Harvest School for Glass.