Emergence: Transformation Through Glass and Light

Celebrated glass artist Carlyn Ray will debut her first-ever museum exhibition, Emergence: Transformation Through Glass and Light, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the renowned The Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas. Drawing on years of domestic and international training with master glassblowers, including Dale Chihuly, Ray brings this radiant exhibition that reveals the poetry of light and material – transforming molten glass into expressions of growth, connection and renewal. This exhibition explores the immersive potential of art; how light, color and form can evoke emotion and foster deeper connection. Through this body of work, Carlyn Ray invites viewers to move beyond observation into feeling, allowing each piece to become a portal for reflection and inner exploration. Inspired by the belief that art can create spaces of safety and wonder, the exhibition encourages a return to presence, to experience, to curiosity, and to the light within ourselves and the world around us. “This exhibition will resonate deeply with Abilene: a community rooted in connection, creativity, and shared experience,” says Laura Moore, Executive Director of The Grace Museum. “Abilene’s transformation into a vibrant cultural hub has been shaped by families and individuals whose generosity and vision continue to illuminate the city, much like light within glass.”

The exhibition will feature 20 glass installations, with suspended and interactive elements to surprise and delight each visitor. Each piece reflects a unique balance of artistry and innovation, blending traditional glassblowing techniques with contemporary design. Several featured works included in the exhibition are:

• Sophia – woven glass strands spiral multidimensionally, forming a radiant vessel. Sophia emerges from the space between everything and nothing: the luminous fullness of creation and the fertile void that precedes it. Its counter-clockwise spiral recalls the womb, the black hole, and the primordial waters: places where form dissolves, intuition deepens and new worlds take shape. As the sculpture turns, its colors move from gold through warm and cool hues into black, mirroring the soul’s own cycle of illumination, descent, integration and rebirth.
• Radiance – light emerges from the ground as a living expression of the earth’s essence. The illuminated glass forms evoke growth and transformation, like buds breaking through soil or energy rising through roots. Through this work, viewers are invited to feel both grounded and luminously united with the light within and beneath us all.
• Becoming – woven strands of glass move from darkness into radiant color, symbolizing transformation and renewal. Viewers are invited to participate by cutting and inscribing strands of glass, a ritual of letting go and reimagining self. Through this act, the work becomes both collective and personal, a meditation on the beauty that emerges when we soften our defenses, embrace our wholeness, and allow the light to shine from within.
• Convergence – two forces meet: feminine and masculine, inner child and wise one, moon and sun. Each retains its own power and grace, yet together they create a rhythm of balance and movement, like the merging of river currents. Through shifting color and form, the work reflects harmony, the sacred moment when dualities dissolve into flow and unity.

“I am honored to have my first museum exhibition at The Grace Museum and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people of Abilene,” says Artist Carlyn Ray. “The themes of this exhibition are reflection, transformation and illumination which mirror Abilene’s own evolution and the collective energy that makes this West Texas community shine. Through these works, I hope to honor not only the spirit of Abilene, but also the creativity and compassion that connect us all.”

Emergence: Transformation Through Glass and Light will premiere on Saturday, March 7, 2026 and will continue until September 19, 2026. In addition, an artist reception will be hosted by The Grace Museum on Thursday, April 16. Other classes and interactive artist conversations will be scheduled throughout the exhibition timeframe.

To learn more about Carlyn Ray and The Grace Museum Exhibition, visit carlynraydesigns.com.

The Grace Museum
102 Cypress St, Abilene, TX 79601
Exhibition: March 7th, 2026- September 19th, 2026
Artist Reception: April 16th, 2026 at 6:00pm
Nationally Recognized Glass Artist Carlyn Ray to Open Exhibition at The Grace Museum

About Artist Carlyn Ray
Carlyn Ray is a Dallas-based glass artist and designer recognized for her dynamic, hand-blown glass installations that merge craftsmanship, creativity, and community. Drawing on years of training with master glassblowers including Dale Chihuly, across the United States and abroad, Ray brings a refined technical skill and an intuitive sense of design to every project. Through her studio, Carlyn Ray Designs, he creates custom works that range from large-scale architectural installations to intimate sculptural ieces—each reflecting her belief in the transformative power of light, color, and collaboration. Dedicated to education and outreach, Ray also leads programs that inspire creativity and connection through the art of glass.

For more information, visit www.carlynraydesigns.com or follow @CarlynRayDesigns on social media.

About Carlyn Ray Designs

Based in Dallas, Texas, Carlyn Ray Designs creates hand-blown glass art that combines craftsmanship, creativity, and collaboration. Founded by artist Carlyn Ray, the studio specializes in custom glass installations, sculptures, and lighting for residential, commercial, and public spaces. Each piece reflects a unique balance of artistry and innovation, blending traditional glassblowing techniques with contemporary design. Through community engagement, educational programs, and bespoke commissions, Carlyn Ray Designs inspires connection, creativity, and beauty through the transformative power of glass.

For more information, visit www.carlynraydesigns.com or follow @CarlynRayDesigns on social media.

About The Grace Museum

Located in the heart of downtown Abilene, Texas, The Grace Museum connects people and ideas through art, history, and community engagement. Housed in the beautifully restored 1909 Hotel Grace, the Museum features art galleries presenting exhibitions by historic and contemporary American artists, an interactive space for families and children, and curated history displays that highlight West Texas heritage. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, and collections, The Grace Museum inspires creativity, fosters lifelong learning, and celebrates the diverse cultural landscape of the region.

For more information, visit www.thegracemuseum.org or follow @TheGraceMuseum on social media.

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