Course Description
In this three-hour class you will be guided and assisted through the process of making a unique, one-of-a-kind paperweight. Utilizing molten glass gathered (dipped) from the GlasStation's furnace, you will get to apply color to your paperweight, blow a bubble through a pipe to form your piece, and use glass-making tools to pinch, pull, twist, twirl, and form molten glass into a design all your own. Guided by glass instructors, you will also get to heat your work in a 2100-degree furnace as your paperweight takes shape.

To finish your work of art, you will get to knock the piece off the pipe and the instructors will place the piece in a 900-degree oven to anneal.

To prevent it from cracking, glass must be cooled slowly for at least 12 hours. Artwork made during a glass class must cool in an annealing oven and will be available for pick-up at a later date.

Classes are limited to six participants. Minimum of four participants.

Class Policies
Participants must be 13 years or older. Participants under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Participants will be required to sign a waiver before beginning the class. Participants must come dressed in close-toed shoes, and natural-fiber clothing. Loose hair must be pulled back. Safety glasses and other equipment will be provided for participants' use. All classes include instruction in basic hot glass and studio safety.

About the GlasStation
ECU's GlasStation, which resides about 15 miles west of main campus in Farmville, NC, is the result of a grassroots effort by The Farmville Group, a volunteer economic development association interested in growing the local economy through the arts. The Allen and Stowe families of Farmville donated a former Gulf gas station to the DeVisconti Trust. ECU leases the GlasStation building from the Trust, and have outfitted the GlasStation with equipment to create a functioning hot glass studio.

Undergraduate and graduate ART classes for ECU students focused on glass blowing and making are regularly offered at the GlasStation. The first glass class began in spring semester, 2017.

Faculty
All glass classes are led by resident glass artist and ECU faculty member Mike Tracy. Mike received a BFA in glass from the University of Texas at Arlington, and an MFA in glass from Illinois State University. Mike joined the GlasStation and ECU's faculty in January, 2017. His work features both representational and abstract styles.

More Information

For more information about upcoming demonstrations please visit: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cfac/soad/GlasStation.cfm 

Like the GlasStation on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ECUGlasStation

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