Claudia McDonald- Imagine That...

What began as a casual afternoon creating simple glass projects in a community studio became something entirely unexpected. While the finished pieces were satisfying, discovering that kiln-formed glass is grounded in science as much as artistic expression truly captured Claudia’s imagination. Understanding how heat, chemistry, and design transform rigid sheets of glass into entirely new forms awakened the same curiosity that had guided Claudia throughout a career in clinical research, education, and academic leadership. Here was a medium that invited both creativity and continual discovery—a place where learning never really ends. That discovery began a journey of exploration that continues today.

Color is the constant thread throughout Claudia's life and work. It is often the catalyst for a new piece. A remarkable sheet of glass, a striking color combination, the changing light across Corpus Christi Bay, an illuminated city skyline, a childhood memory, the geometry of a quilt pattern, or an unexpected connection between seemingly unrelated ideas may each become the beginning of a new exploration. What matters is not the source itself, but where curiosity leads.

Each work develops as a conversation between imagination and material. Glass occupies a unique place where artistic expression and scientific principles meet. Heat, chemistry, gravity, light, and time all influence every outcome. Technical knowledge provides the foundation, while curiosity encourages exploration. Although each firing is carefully planned, there is always an element of anticipation—and a touch of magic—when the kiln is opened.

The works presented in Imagine That … reflect this continuing spirit of exploration. Landscapes inspired by the Texas coast, city skylines illuminated against the night, botanical forms recalling childhood gardens and walks through Germany’s Black Forest, playful memories, abstract compositions, and explorations of color all began with a simple question: What if…? While the subjects vary, they are connected by a shared interest in curiosity, transformation, and the endless visual possibilities of color and light. Viewers are invited to look beyond first impressions and discover something new each time they return.

After a thirty-year career in higher education as an educator, researcher, and administrator, Claudia chose a new challenge. Rather than leaving behind a lifetime of inquiry, she simply changed laboratories. The curiosity that once guided academic research now finds expression through kiln-formed glass. Guided by Peter Drucker’s observation, “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” she continues to explore the remarkable possibilities found at the intersection of color, light, science, and imagination.