Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

Artisans to Demonstrate Hot Glass Techniques

By Scott Price

Staff Writer

Artists will be using fire and glass to demonstrate their techniques on Nov. 22 in Grapevine.

Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery has expanded its annual open house into the Celebration of Glass, with more artists and activities.

From 4 to 10 p.m., the Grapevine Heritage Center, 701 S. Main St., will be transformed into an artists’ colony as glass artisans demonstrate their skills free of charge.

"The goal is to really expand and increase awareness of the glass arts in the North Texas region," said David Gappa, owner of Vetro.

The event will be preceded by belly dancers performing firefan dances from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

The event will include prizes, raffles and auctions, with money going to the various participating artists.

The Truth or Consequences Auction at 7 p.m. includes smashing glass sculptures that do not receive a reserve bid. People who want to participate in this event need to register by 6 p.m.

"If they aren’t willing to pay that much to have it in their home, then it is not worthy of existing," Gappa quipped.

But Gappa said he is hopeful not many pieces will get smashed.

Gappa said the Grapevine Convention and Visitors Bureau has been very supportive of the event, even providing a tent.

Vetro has had an annual open house for six years. Gappa said he wanted to expand the event to the Celebration of Glass to educate people about the hot glass arts. The open house events would attract about 200 to 300 people, but Gappa said he expects more than 400 people for this expanded event.

Artists spend years practicing their art using torches, furnaces and molten glass.

Gappa said the general public is not aware of the practice it takes to perfect these skills. Gappa said he would like to see Grapevine become a hub where glass artisans from all over the Metroplex can work together.

"This art form, which has been around for thousands of years, is infused within every person’s daily life in ways ranging from science to medicine, to utilitarian, to pure beauty," Gappa said.

The Celebration of Glass, Gappa said, will hopefully help people appreciate what he calls a "crucial and intense" art form.

The event will showcase glassblowers creating various size pieces from the furnace, lampworkers creating art glass jewelry on the torch and flameworkers creating advanced, detailed hand-blown sculptures from 4 to 6 p.m.

Gappa said that two renowned glass masters, Wil Menzies and Christian Luginger, will be traveling in to demonstrate their skills to all the artisans as well as the general public.

The Grapevine Bead Society will be showcasing their art glass jewelry in a silent auction from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

See www.grapevineglassblowers.com or call 817-251-1668 for more information.