Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Artwork copyright Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Colleen Chartier.

Shelter, 1996

Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner
Paul Marioni (American, born 1941); Ann Troutner (American, born 1958)

Location: Washington State University, Pullman

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Shelter is a glass and terrazzo floor installation by artist team Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner. It was created to be a comfortable, calm space for the lobby of the Veterinary Hospital on the Washington State University campus. Two free-standing curved walls feature cast glass motifs of grass stalks. The walls gently divide the room and offer privacy without obstructing the space.

Marioni and Troutner designed the Terrazzo floor with a soft wave pattern leading out from the center of the lobby. The tall grass motif symbolizes food and shelter for seventeen different animals. These animals are represented by their tracks. Clear glass animal tracks are inlaid into the floor, including the footprints of a horse, cow, sheep, pig, deer, bear, dog, cat, cougar, ostrich, wolf, elk, and llama.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State University.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Glass artists Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner collaborated on many artworks for public spaces. Both Marioni and Troutner taught at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington.
Paul Marioni is an innovator in the American Studio Glass Movement. His glass sculptures and architectural installations feature pioneering techniques and rich imagery and ideas. He taught for many years at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington. Born in Ohio, Marioni studied english and philosophy at the University of Cincinnati, and pursued filmmaking early in his artistic career. He has lived in Washington since 1978.
Born in Arizona, Ann Troutner received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pitzer College in Claremont, California. In 1981, she received the Pilchuck Glass School Work-Study Award while she was working as a scientific illustrator and photographer. She worked as an assistant to Dale Chihuly and Paul Marioni from 1982 to 1986.