Out of Class Art Event Two

Scholar Day “Glass Blowing Demonstration” by Kris Hauser and John Verna.

The first annual scholar day was held on Friday May 9th. The college gave students the opportunity to present their work to students and faculty. The event exhibited a wide variety of events including, art works, poster presentations and lectures. One showcase in particular was the glass blowing presentation by students Kris Hauser and Jon Verna. Unlike creating a sculpture or a clay pot by oneself, glasswork is developed with the help of a fellow partner. This was evident during the glass blowing presentation when audiences saw at first hand, that one can not single handedly create glass art by themselves. Both Kris Hauser and John Vera demonstrated, how with the help of a partner, glass is created. First a small bit is gathered on a blowpipe then rolled on the martyring table and taken back to gather more glass. The demonstrators make note that the hot glass must stay constantly moving around in a circular motion in order maintain its shape. Following its second gather and rolling on the martyring table, it is taken to be shaped, and then blown into. Once a bubble is formed it is up to the artist to decide the shape and decoration of the glass. Often color can be added using grit, and more glass can be added to the original bubble to expand its shape. The glass however must be kept hot constantly in the “glory hole,” in order not to crack the glass. Once the artist achieves their desired design a bit is made once again by the partner and fastened to the top of the glass. Once the fastening is cooled, it is broken off. Now the glass is almost complete and can be shaped into any design. Finally the glass is cooled at the fastened end, broken off and placed in the kiln.