Contestant Data
Name: Christi A. Trent
Hometown: Blue Ridge Summit, PA

Christi A. Trent was born in rural Ohio in 1954. She began taking art classes at age 5, and has been involved with art at some level since that time. Christi attended Antioch College's "lab school", as a young girl, and learned to express herself there through writing, music and a variety of artistic endeavors. She credits this school's philosophy of teaching in an open, free environment with the way she is able to communicate her ideas today.

In her teen years her family moved to Chevy Chase, Maryland. Christi was able to attend the Corcoran Gallery of Art's Saturday school for several years where she gained professional training from leading contemporary artists.

Glass has always been a fascination for her…especially marbles and paperweights. A love of animals and nature inspires her art creations, no matter what medium… be it photographs, pen and ink drawings, painting or glasswork.

She got the opportunity to work with glass for the first time in 1987, as an apprentice at a local glass studio. It was then she realized that glass was her true love. She began doing traditional stained glass using the copper foil method - but has not stopped there. Christi enjoys working with hot glass, using a torch and a kiln. She also has a love for mosaics and doing sandblasting as well. She has been fortunate to have been able to take some workshops along the way…one with Norm & Ruth Dobbins, and two with Kate Fowle. She hopes to study with other artists in the future.

Christi has two grown children, who live on their own. She has worked at a variety of jobs over the years. Her most favorite was being a veterinarian technician. Her hobbies include: working with computer design programs, gardening, going on nature walks, cooking, darkroom photography, reading, going to antique malls, collecting dolls and bears, watching movies, listening to music and being with friends.

The largest glass project Christi has worked on to date was a 19 foot tall X 6 foot wide, angel window at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery mausoleum. She cut out every piece….using the beautiful [but brittle] Youghiogheny glass. It was quite a challenge.

Christi enjoys doing large panels, as well as 3-D projects and jewelry. She often uses her own designs, but loves making projects from the many pattern books that are available too. She recently made a big move from Maryland to Pennsylvania, and lives on top of a mountain. She works from a small studio in her home that she shares with two cats.

She is really excited about this contest and says: "Thanks WC!"