Free Reading, Friday, St Patrick’s Day, March 17, at 5:30pm.

Behind the Curtain, Published by Schiffer, Inc. looks at the ideas and sculpture, as well as the life of Mary. It revels her radical life and art, from a single mother in the '70s entering the male-dominated world of glass to the renowned master she is today. Nearly 200 photos cover four decades, which feature her iconic slumped and cast glass, as well as large outdoor sculptures, conceptual installations, and commissioned pieces. Personal stories shed light on integral figures, moments, and developments in studio glass movement, giving rare insider insight to artists, students, and collectors. A foreword by Jane Adlin, curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY with contributions from Lucy R. Lippard and William Warmus delve further into Shaffer's artistic philosophy and legacy—one rooted in dissolving the binaries of liquid/solid, female/male, intangible/tangible, personal/political.

Shaffer’s work is featured in collections worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City; the Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto, Japan; and museums in France, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Bolivia, and Denmark. Shaffer has lectured worldwide and taught at Wellesley, New York University, California College of the Arts among others.

Her honors include a USA Fellow Grant by United States Artists, three National Endowment for the Arts awards, Glaspreis from the Kassel Competition in Germany, and the Visionary Award from the Museum of Arts and Design. She lives in Taos, New Mexico.

SOMOS, 108 Civic Plaza Dr, Taos, NM 87571. (575) 758-0081