Penny James
After growing up and spending much of her adult life in California, local mosaic glass artist Penny James found love, comfort and purpose in East Tennessee. Penny moved to Clinton 22 years ago after marrying a former co-worker from our area. They’d reconnected at a workplace reunion and found that what had been a friendship soon blossomed into something more. Together, she and her husband enjoyed Norris Lake, where they maintained a houseboat, and motor home traveling across the country. Now widowed and retired, Penny continues to call Clinton home because of her love for the land, the people and animals.
After her husband’s passing ten years ago, Penny began frequenting a stained glass shop in Clinton (since closed) and became a “regular,” gaining knowledge and skill in the art of stained glass work from the owner. In her 20s she had taken a stained glass class in Lake Tahoe, CA and the experience in the Clinton shop rekindled that long dormant interest. She also took a few classes at a stained glass shop in Fountain City. Penny describes stained glass work as a “puzzle of glasses soldered together.”
Penny says her art contributes to her on-going desire to have a purpose in life. Her skills with stained glass drew her to the Locally Grown Artisan Gallery, an Oak Ridge artists’ co-op, where her work in this medium can be purchased. But, her lifeline love for bright colored glass and her interest in creating art that had more design and function, led her to creating mosaic glass art, the medium featured at the Appalachian Arts Craft Center.

Mosaic glass art, says Penny, combines different objects with glass to create inspiring and sometimes usable artwork. Among her favorite objects that you’ll find in her work are rocks, sea glass and shells. She is currently working on some outdoor pieces that could adorn a garden or walkway.
The Appalachian Arts Craft Center is pleased to welcome new artist Penny James and invites you to visit us, in person at the Gift Shop or on-line at Appalachianarts.net, to experience the beauty Penny creates and bring some of that same beauty into your home or garden.
Penny says her art contributes to her on-going desire to have a purpose in life.
Her skills with stained glass drew her to the Locally Grown Artisan Gallery, an Oak Ridge artists’ co-op, where her work in this medium can be purchased. But, her lifeline love for bright colored glass and her interest in creating art that had more design and function, led her to creating mosaic glass art, the medium featured at the Appalachian Arts Craft Center.
Mosaic glass art, says Penny, combines different objects with glass to create inspiring and sometimes usable artwork. Among her favorite objects that you’ll find in her work are rocks, sea glass and shells. She is currently working on some outdoor pieces that could adorn a garden or walkway.
The Appalachian Arts Craft Center is pleased to welcome new artist Penny James and invites you to visit us, in person at the Gift Shop or on-line at Appalachianarts.net, to experience the beauty Penny creates and bring some of that same beauty into your home or garden.