Greta Burger builds her work in layers, combining glass and metal into pieces that take shape as they come together, often without a fixed plan.
“It just kind of starts to take shape,” Burger said.
Burger is one of several local artists set to showcase work at Art in the Garden on May 9, a community event that will feature a range of mediums displayed across private gardens in Picacho Hills, with a starting location at 1338 Picacho Hills Drive.
Originally from Indiana, Burger spent years living in Alaska and Canada before eventually settling in Las Cruces more than two decades ago. Her path into art came later than most, beginning in the early 2000s with a stained-glass class she took with her husband while living near Montreal.
“We thought it would look neat if we made some stained-glass panels,” she said.
That introduction to glass opened the door to a broader range of work. After moving to New Mexico, Burger began experimenting with different materials, eventually combining glass with metal to create pieces that balance structure and color. Her process often begins with what she has on hand. Old tools, saw blades and metal parts are laid out and rearranged until something begins to form, with each piece guiding the next step.
Once the structure comes together, glass is added to bring color and contrast. Some pieces use traditional stained-glass techniques, where sections are cut, shaped, and soldered together. Others rely on fused glass, where pieces are heated and melted into a single form, making them more durable for outdoor use.
“I like people to notice the bright colors and the fun that can be made with glass,” she said.
That durability allows much of her work to extend beyond indoor display and into garden spaces, where light and environment become part of the final piece. Burger’s work ranges from outdoor designs meant to sit among plants to functional items like plates and serving dishes. Even with those practical uses, she has noticed that many people treat the pieces more as display than something to use.
“It’s almost like people are scared to use it,” she said.
At Art in the Garden, Burger plans to showcase a mix of pieces, including fused glass designs, metal sculptures and smaller works made from leftover materials. Many feature bright colors and playful elements that shift depending on how light moves across the surface throughout the day. Placed within a garden, those details take on a different role as the work interacts with its surroundings rather than sitting in a fixed space.
“I think how things can blend in with the garden,” she said.
For Burger, that connection between material, color, and setting is what ultimately defines the work itself.
