Thursday, March 22, 2012

Studio Glass







This year marks the 50th anniversary of studio glass. It is being celebrated all over the country with museum shows, lectures and conferences. Harvey Littleton is considered its founder. He presented a glass blowing workshop in 1962 with Dominick Labino. The movement skyrocketed internationally in the 1970’s and 80’s. Although glass vessels and manufacturing of glass had been in existence long before, studio glass refers to artists making one of a kind objects in studios and sharing knowledge and ideas.

Within the hills and valleys of Humboldt County are glass workers and supporters. If you are not yet among them, perhaps you soon will be! Walking by the window of the Jack Sewell Gallery on F. St. you can’t help but admire the beautiful glass art in the window. Fire and Arts is a center of activity for both glass and ceramic art.

During open studios, there are a number of artists working with glass,who would love to share information with you if you would like to learn more. Their studio locations are on the north coast open studio artists directory. In 2011, glass artists included (click here to see the 2011 Artist Directory):

  • Susan Bloch of Bloch Studios
  • Lorraine Lindley
  • James Shelton of
  • Melissa Zielinski of Mill Creek Glass
  • The Fire Arts Center
  • Unauthorized Art


The 2012 list of glass artists is not yet finalized, but will be posted soon!

Once connected to the glass movement and aware of its activity, you feel its pulse no matter where in the world you live. It’s a vital world-wide group of artists connected through public studios, networking and conferences. Here on the west coast we are close to many hubs of glass activity including Portland, Eugene and San Francisco, Seattle. The Glass Art Society is a group based in Seattle that brings glass artists together from around the world. Its conference this year will be in Toledo, Ohio, the center of the birth of the studio glass movement.

A huge world exists open for discovery and enjoyment. I’d easily go on endlessly. Rather, I’ll encourage you to visit or collaborate with local glass makers, or learn about glass working (there are myriad types). If you have any questions feel free to contact me.

Susan Bloch, Glass artist, NCOS Steering Committee Member

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