Laurie received a Master of Science degree in Health Sciences from the University of Utah and worked in the healthcare field for many years. Later, she pursued Graduate Doctoral studies in Research Techniques. Her heart and spirit were always drawn to glass art. She continuously took classes in glass, metal and stonework while working as a physical therapist, and later as a researcher. While juggling her career in healthcare, Laurie began her first endeavor in glass in 1978 and has honed her skills over the past thirty years.
Laurie always loved glass and her earliest memories recall her mother returning from exotic places like Murano, Italy with glass keepsakes. It seemed only natural to begin working with stained glass, creating luminous windows. However, it was her curiosity about the history and forms of glass – solid, liquid and gas – that introduced Laurie to the difficult medium of fused glass and the challenge that she craved.
Her art provides a wonderful sensory experience. Her pieces are made up of many layers of colored and clear glass such that, like a Renaissance painter, Laurie is able to capture the subtly of the light and an amazing range of luminescence. By incorporating stone and metal, Laurie’s artwork transforms into stunning and elegant wall sculpture. She loves that fused glass allows her to preserve her thoughts and emotions in such a beautiful, permanent medium. She says, “To me glass is possibility. The smooth, hard surfaces that are translucent, transparent, and reflective, afford me endless exploratory opportunities.”
Laurie devotes all of her time creating her fused glass art. Her work can be seen in private and commercial collections throughout the United States. She has been honored with many awards, including Best of Show and People’s Choice awards. Laurie is a founding member of the Glass Art Guild of Utah.
Laurie Burns 
