Lifetime Achievement Award Announced

ACA Lifetime Achievement Award

Each year Art Design Consultants (ADC) of Cincinnati OH, holds their Arts Come Alive competition made up of several categories including the ACA Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors artists who have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the pursuit of their craft. They serve as inspirations to artists everywhere, because of their unique visions, their dedication to their work despite all of its inherent trials and tribulations, but most importantly because of their generosity of spirit and commitment to the celebration of art.  This year ADC is pleased to announce Randi F. Solin as the winner of this award.

In order to best understand Randi's accomplishment, here is a glimpse into Randi's life within four simple questions:

1. What inspires Randi Solin to create? Creating to me is knowing that my pieces will touch people and invite them to go on a journey to an undiscovered place.  I want them to get lost in the coloration, design, optical depth and layers of visual texture I have created. Watching them brings satisfaction to my soul.
2. What made Randi Solin pursue art as a career?  Growing up I wanted to be a senator.  I wanted to impact people’s lives and affect a positive change in society.  Then I visited a glassblowing studio and saw the “liquid light” as a cute boy was pouring glass into a mold in the dark.  The power I felt from this experience made me realize I could impact people through art.  For a time, I can take people on a visual journey I have created and allow them to experience life through different lenses.  I applied to Alfred University, with no formal art training or experience.  I didn’t even know if photography was considered an art but I had been pursuing photography since the age of 12.  I applied using a photography portfolio that I developed in a darkroom I had built in my closet in high school.  I was accepted based on my background as a fantastic student, as an entrepreneur and with a strong record of citizenship having been the youngest person to ever create and manage a 5K road race for St. Jude’s Hospital.  Once accepted, I not only found an inner peace in creating works of art but also, the passion and drive to teach and share the scientific wonders of glassblowing with others.  For nearly 30 years, I have felt honored and privileged to be able to do what I love, support four employees and my family with my artwork.
3. Highlights of Randi Solon’s career.  My career highlights are twofold.  First, I have been honored to have my pieces added to the permanent collections of the White House, the Beijing World Trade Center and nine U.S. Embassies throughout the world.  Secondly, I have fulfilled a lifelong dream to have an "Open to the Public" glassblowing arena, to educate people of all ages on the process and techniques of glassblowing. My studio is attached to a gallery allowing me to represent and share amazing contemporary craft from many talented artists.
4. What accomplishments is Randi Solin most proud of, have there been any obstacles you’ve had to overcome.  Life for me has been a challenging journey.  Having lost my mother at the tender age of 13, at which time my father decided to abandon me; I grew up on my own. I take pride in having taken the path of self-discipline and growth through acts of citizenship and education.  In later years I became a single mom and struggled with poverty as I worked to perfect my craft.  I’m proud of my children, creating a career making art and my volunteer work including serving on the board of the Compass School, Glass Guild and the Glass Arts Society.