GatherHouse Glassblowing: Transform Molten Glass Into Functional Artwork In A Hands-On Class
All photos courtesy of GatherHouse Glasblowing
John Hudnut quips gentle, but precise, intuitive instruction to a family of six in his toasty, one-room Frisco studio on a cool fall afternoon. Clamp, blow, roll, paddle, tweeze, fire and shape. Each child and parent takes a turn holding the rod and blowpipe while the others look on through safety goggles, mesmerized by the magical, hypnotic process of shaping 2,000-degree molten glass.
Photos courtesy of GatherHouse Glassblowing
The master glassblower welcomes groups into GatherHouse Glassblowing Studio + Gallery for private classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, customizing the three-hour sessions to students’ interests and abilities.
“I struggled for many years to gain this knowledge, and now I just want to share it,” Hudnut says. “It’s a crazy weird medium that no one knows about except for this little community of glassblowers spread out around the world.”
Hudnut began creating glass in 1990 after taking glassblowing as an elective in college. “It was hot, loud and scary,” he recalls. “The professor said ‘here’s your shop, present something at midterm’ and walked out.”
Photos courtesy of GatherHouse Glassblowing
The artist went on to earn a degree in Industrial Design from The University of The Arts in Philadelphia and spent the next four years honing his skills as a glass artist in Greece, Italy and France. He worked as an apprentice for Xavier DeMirbeck in Paris for two years before returning stateside and moving to Colorado.
GatherHouse opened in 2004; today Hudnut hosts numerous apprentices and shares his love of the craft with his community through mentorships and classes. He begins every class by pointing out fire extinguishers and the first aid kit, then explaining hand tools and appliances (furnace, glory hole, marver) and finally checking students’ safety goggles and closed-toed shoes.
He takes a metal rod and gathers a blob of molten glass, twisting it into an octopus and melting it back into a blob. Then, he has the students play with the malleable, blazing hot ball to see if they’re ready to create. Some classes set up a production line, working together to create holiday ornaments. Other classes focus on specific techniques and create a larger collective piece, such as a vase or tumbler. Students take home what they create and materials are included in the class fee. Courses are suitable for groups, beginners and children nine years or older with a parent.
TAKE A CLASS
Glassblowing 101 3 hours, $145 per person Classes by appointment only. Call master glassblower John Hudnut two weeks in advance to book your group’s class and learn glassblowing basics while you create your very own take-home work of art.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, lessons and shopping are by appointment only.
GatherHouse Glassblowing Studio + Gallery is located at 110 Second Ave., Frisco. Reach them at 970.485.2909 and gatherhouse.com.
Originally published in the Winter 2021-22 issue of Spoke+Blossom.