By Marissa Sjolander
An artist is usually thought of as expresses
themselves on canvas; however,
Jacqueline Stack Lagakos is a part of a
group of unique, divergent artists. She creates a world of
glass. Jackie is a well known mosaic artist. Her creative inner style
allows her to transcend a medium, allowing
her to create beautiful spaces. Jackie has transformed the landscape with a
plethora of peaceful garden works and bottle structures. These are one of a
kind sanctuaries filled with eternal blessings and a transcending passion of
art-joy.
Q-What inspired you to start making mosaics?
A- Seeing the Watts Tower in Los Angeles and Isaiah Zagar’s
magic gardens work in Philadelphia.
Q-How and when did you start this passion for art?
A- I started it by making a mosaic bird bath 15 years ago.
Q-You said before you worked with Philadelphia Magic Garden
artist, Isaiah Zagar, how did that come about?
A- I took a weekend workshop with him and then assisted him
on many of his buildings for the next few years.
Q-What types of move mental things did you learn there?
A- Working with Isaiah was more about enjoying watching him
create rather than learning any techniques… once you learn his process.. It is
pretty basic. I have a very
different style.
Q-Did you love working there?
A- Yes I loved working with Isaiah… He is an incredible artist and kind
man.
Q-What gave you the drive to start working and teaching
students?
A- I teach classes and workshops at Perkins Center for the
Arts and Appel Farm Arts and Music Center. They also have artist in residency
programs… They asked me to join them.
I love watching others create especially elementary students
who are so free of insecurity.
Q-What do your workshops consist of?
A- My workshops are One day workshop teaching the basic
techniques of mosaic… Students bring a piece they want to mosaic and I show
them how to use the materials to accomplish that.
Q-What's your favorite piece of artwork
you have created?
you have created?
A- I have so many… many of which are on my website.
www.bottlestructures.com My
bottle structures are some of my favorites… and the Gary Karr Mosaic bass is
another.
Q-What is your favorite project you worked with students?
A-My favorite project that I worked with students is
Countryside Elementary School in Mt Laurel. Every Student in the school Pre K through 4th was involved…
they all enthusiastically made all the components for their mural.
Q-Do you have any special technique or tricks?
A- No. Just trust your intuition.
Q-What feelings do you try to convey through your pieces of
art?
A- Joy.
Q-How do you get yourself into that creative mind set?
A- I just think about what I want to create and which
materials I want to use and let my intuition take it from there.
Q-Being an artist myself, I love art for the fact I can
express my mind without words. What's your reasoning for loving art?
A- I love the materials… and seeing what I create with them…
I don’t think much about why I do it… I just once again follow my intuition and
enjoy the results.
Q-Who or what has been your impact on mosaicing?
A- Watching people looking at my work and having a sense of
joy.
Q-Do you have any new accomplishments for yourself or any
upcoming projects/workshops?
A-My last work was a piece (a mosaic lamp) that was
commissioned for Ron Carter a Jazz Bassist.
Jazz master Ron Carter is among the most original, prolific
and influential acoustic jazz bassists, with more than 2500 albums to his
credit. One of my favorite musicians he played with for many years was Miles Davis.
He sent me and E-mail thanking me for the piece I created
for him. And a few days later he sent me a signed copy of his biography. Sweet!
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