It's a big homecoming for local glass artist Sonya Labrie.

She's bubbling over about her new show, Shine, which goes on display at the Cornerstone Gallery July 9 to Aug. 28.

"I feel very lucky to be able to put on a show in a brand-new art medium for the community of Chilliwack, which has been so supportive of my work all along," says Labrie. "It's become a very special part of coming home."

Shine is her first exhibition in three years since embarking on her artistic odyssey with glass. The colours intentionally cheery and bright, and the mood of her latest work is very light-hearted.

"I want people to be surprised by what they see," she says.

The gallery show features six large-scale abstract paintings, and sculpted glass work that's kiln-cast, blown or flame-worked.

"Just seeing it up and ready at the gallery, as a cohesive body of work, has been exhilarating," says the 28-year-old dynamo.

Some of her jewellery pieces, which she calls "wearable art" will be on display for the artist's reception only on July 24, and also during both weekends at the Harrison Craft Market on the beach.

She's back in the Wack these days, after completing the Craft and Design program where she majored in glass at Sheridan College (SOCAD) in Oakville, Ont.

"It wasn't like a typical university learning experience," she recalls. "At Sheridan you study with the same 20 students that you eventually graduate with, so it's very intimate. We all grew very close to our instructors."

Labrie was blown away by the end-of-the-year recognition she received.

She was chosen by her fellow students as the class valedictorian, and she scooped not one, but three major scholarships, including the opportunity to study at the famed Pilchuk Glass School for two weeks in August.

"That was definitely the icing on the cake," she enthused. "I've always wanted to go."

She credits the teaching excellence of her mentor, Blaise Campbell, for his "amazing" technical demonstrations.

"He was always there for us," she says. "He could show us anything."

Labrie's work has recently been shown at the Lennox Contemporary Gallery and the Cryptic Canvas Gallery both located in Toronto.

The title of her show, Shine, actually came from a series of large blown glass bowls she crafted.

"It was from a grouping I did about my memories and my family," she says. "In my mind, memories shine in a unique way. They're a little foggy."

The bowls have enamel decals printed on the inside, and a range of bright, rich colours. The images she chose range from a bird, a deer, a bike and a tractor.

"The tractor image reflects the agricultural heritage of my family," Labrie notes. "I thought grandma, who drove tractor, was the coolest ever."

"I call them my retro colour bowls," she says. "They were a real labour of love. People may not realize how elaborate the steps are."

There are the days and hours spent working with the kiln, in the "hot" shop, or the "cold" shop where they grind and polish pieces to perfection.

One small room in the gallery is devoted to her organic and cellular pieces.

"People say they look very West Coast, and ocean-like in terms of the flow," she says.

But basically she hopes her work gives visitors a burst of pure pleasure.

"I make art to be happy," she says. "I want people to enjoy it."

She doesn't consider herself a politically driven artist in any way.

"Because I'm not. I'm looking to create a fresh, happy feeling."

Shine, the latest work by artist Sonya Labrie at the Cornerstone Gallery on Young Road and Chilliwack Central Road, July 9 to Aug. 28. Artist's reception July 24, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

jfeinberg@theprogress.com