GlassRoots Takes Glass Studios On the Road

In a unique partnership with Hamilton, NJ Grounds for Sculpture, GlassRoots artists set up a portable ‘hot shop’ and ‘flameworking studio’ to celebrate the current Joyce J. Scott and Dan Clayman glass exhibitions.

Newark (October 30, 2017) – Newark-based community art studio GlassRoots enthralled hundreds of eager observers as they brought their glassblowing process out of their studios and onto the plaza at Hamilton NJ Grounds for Sculpture this weekend.

GlassRoots artists Jason Minami, James Blake, Malcolm Morano and Alix Davis thrilled onlookers as they gathered hot glass from their newly constructed portable furnace, and shaped each mass of glass by blowing air into it through a hollow pipe and crafting plates, vases and cups from the molten glass at their bench, the glassblower's workstation.

Meanwhile, GlassRoots lampworking artists Kate Dowd and Richard Paz led fifteen adults in a two-hour bead-making workshop, in a temporary flameworking studio set up in the Motor Exhibits Building. Working with 2200° torches, participants shaped molten glass into beautiful beads, which they crafted into necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry during the workshop.

GlassRoots portable hotshop was crafted by the studio’s master glassblower Jason Minami, who worked long hours in his own studio to design, cut, weld and construct a furnace, glory hole, garage, workbench and marver that could be taken to public spaces to allow greater public access to the art of glassblowing. Funding for the extension of GlassRoots’ programming was provided by the Rosenberg Ebin Family Foundation.
​
Now available for both educational and public entertainment programs, GlassRoots’ portable hotshop attracted and intrigued people of every age. Experiences outside of GlassRoots’ studio can now include a complete glassblowing demonstration, with highly skilled artists working with molten glass while a commentator explains the art and science of glass and answers questions.

In requesting funds to construct the portable hotshop,GlassRoots staff wrote, “Communities gain value through public art – cultural, social, and economic value. The public reflects our society and adds meaning to our cities and uniqueness to our communities. Public art humanizes the built environment and invigorates public spaces. It provides an intersection between past, present and future, between disciplines, and between ideas. Public art is freely accessible. The effort of creating art for public space is not solitary: the public art process asks the artist to share their creative point of view and approach to art-making, and to collaborate with others throughout its development.  This is always true in the art of glassblowing, and is enhanced when this art form is brought public.”

Schools and organizations interested in more information about GlassRoots portable and studio programs can contact our program director, Lisa Duggan at education@glassroots.org or by phone at 973.353.9555.