Elizabeth Lawrence: Craft, Curiosity, and the Art of Piecing Things Together

Elizabeth Lawrence Members Exhibition Feature

For artist and researcher Elizabeth Lawrence, craft is a way of thinking — a blend of curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery. Her work in glass and ceramics reflects the mindset of someone who sees the world as a series of connections waiting to be uncovered. In the 2025 Touchstone Members Exhibition, Elizabeth presents her Patchwork Platter, a translucent glass piece in vibrant and warm yellows, oranges, and reds. Like much of her work, it reveals her love of assembling parts into a cohesive whole, echoing both her artistic practice and her research-driven approach to understanding materials. Images of her featured piece and a snapshot of Elizabeth working in Touchstone’s ceramics studio offer a glimpse into the thoughtful, joyful process behind her craft.

Read more about Elizabeth’s work in this interview by Andrew Thornton, Touchstone Communications Committee member, professional artist, and Co-Owner of Allegory Gallery and Star Cottage Studio.

Elizabeth’s Touchstone Journey

Elizabeth’s connection to Touchstone goes back decades, beginning when longtime ceramics instructor Valda Cox introduced her to the campus during a class she was taking at the Carnegie Museum of Art. On the very first night at Touchstone Center for Crafts, Valda led her outside onto the lawn, and the two lay in the grass looking up at the stars — an unexpected moment of wonder that shaped Elizabeth’s relationship with Touchstone for years to come.

Since then, she has returned regularly, embracing each visit as an opportunity to learn, explore new skills, and reconnect with the craft community that continues to inspire her.

When the call for entries opened for the 2025 Members Exhibition, Elizabeth was delighted when staff encouraged her to apply — a gentle nudge that helped her take an exciting step in her creative journey.

A Bright New Chapter in Glass

While ceramics has been part of Elizabeth’s life for a long time, glass arrived later — “a midlife crisis,” she jokes — and quickly became a deeply satisfying artistic path. She primarily studies at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, where the endless color palettes and the countless ways to piece glass together continue to amaze her.

The puzzle-solving aspect is what draws her in most: arranging, layering, and aligning each element until it clicks. Her featured piece, the Patchwork Platter, captures this spirit — a bright, geometric composition that feels both playful and precise.

Celebrating Her First Exhibition Submission

This exhibition marks the first time Elizabeth has ever applied to an open call, making her acceptance especially meaningful. Previously, her ceramics had been shown only in class showcases at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

For someone who values community so deeply — whether in the studio, serving on Touchstone’s board of directors, working in the University of Pittsburgh’s research lab, or unwinding with a perfectly crafted Manhattan — being part of a collective celebration of creativity feels entirely natural.

Visit the 2025 Touchstone Members Exhibition, on view until December 20, 2025, in the Bea Campbell Gallery at Touchstone in Farmington, PA. Click for gallery hours.