What medium is it? Glass, of course. And this medium is the focus of CityArts' next invitational exhibit "Cut, Blown and Slumped," April 4 through 25. A public opening reception for the artists is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. April 4.

The show was the brainchild of the late Roy Harrison, stained glass teacher at CityArts. Harrison loved glass, and wanted to "help people see the possibilities," according to Ruthie Spriggs, children's education coordinator at CityArts.

With glass, the possibilities are nearly endless. A wide variety of works will be on display in the show: the stained glass works of Steve Griffey; colorful blown glass pieces by Johnnie McDonald, Lyn Harp, and Matt Angell; whimsical multimedia works by Richard Stauffer incorporating a number of glass-working techniques; and the glass mosaics of Ruthie Spriggs which embrace natural themes. These are just a few of the artists whose work will be shown. Others include blown glass by Roland Karg, mixed media by Brent Sommerhauser, enameled jewelry by Kathy Fathi and Kim Lister, and the list goes on.

"Part of the interest of this show is that some of these works are functional – like a window, vase, or bowl – and some are sculpture, blurring the line between functional, decorative and fine arts," said Lister, adult education coordinator at CityArts. The works vary considerably in size, as well, ranging from small jewelry works to large sculptural pieces, Lister noted.

While the techniques of glass-working are diverse, the passionate drive of glass-workers tends to be sharply focused. Take it from Spriggs, a dedicated glass artist: "Glass is a permanent pigment. It never loses its intensity. Color and light is the most glorious combination there is."