This Friday Cathy Richardson, local business woman and glass artist, will open her new art exhibit in the Memorial Union Gallery.

The exhibit will feature a variety of Richardson’s glass work, including stained glass panels and sculptures, etched vases and bowls, etched wall panels, paperweights and glass necklaces.

In addition to Richardson’s own pieces, some of her collaborations with other local artists will be displayed. One of the artists with whom Richardson worked was her son, who hopes to be a glass blower when he grows up.

For Richardson, collaboration offered the opportunity to broaden the range of her work.

Twelve years ago, glass blowing was a hobby for Cathy Richardson. She concentrated mainly on stained glass and evolved into other forms. Eventually, it grew into a full-time occupation, helping Richardson to open her own studio, Nature’s Image Studio, in Ames. The studio provides stained, etched and carved glass for local businesses.

When creating her art, Richardson uses one of two very distinct processes. The first is sandblasting, or abrasive etching, which involves “scratching” the image into the glass. This differs greatly from the second technique, which is carving, and actually involves cutting the glass.

The time a piece takes to create can vary greatly, taking anywhere from two hours to one month depending on the size.

Richardson is aware that her work is not of the traditional vein people are used to, but she hopes the Ames community will come out and enjoy her work.

The exhibit will open Sept. 22 and last until Oct. 17, with a reception being held Saturday, Sept. 23, from 2 until 4 p.m.