Melting Point

When three common natural materials – sand, soda ash and limestone – are melted at very high temperatures they form glass. Artists turn glass into anything they can imagine. Dale Chihuly’s work embraces flowing lines and shapes. April Lemon uses glass to create whimsical lily pads. AlBo artists create elegant and practical glass from smooth bowls to the translucent wonder of stained glass. Preston Singletary’s work is full of appealing textures. Roberta Eichenberg creates intriguing sculptures. Kymm Ledbetter uses color and shapes to create imaginative fused glass pieces.

You’ll find all the forms and techniques of glass art in Melting Point. Explore the work of Studio Glass artists who use this versatile material to create colorful and intricate works. We have organized the exhibit by hot glass, warm glass, cold glass and lampwork.

Hot Glass

Hot glass involves working with molten glass (around 2000 degrees). An artist gathers molten glass from a furnace to create sculptures, vases, containers and other items with techniques such as glassblowing and glass casting.

Hot Glass artists in the exhibit

• Albo Glass / Doug Sheafor: blown glass
• Vernon Brejcha*
• Dale Chihuly*
• Roberta Eichenberg: blown/cast glass
• April Lemon: blown glass
• Patrick Martin: blown/cast glass
• Richard Marquis*
• Preston Singletary*

*Works from these artists are part of the library collection.

Warm Glass

Warm glass work involves heating the glass in a kiln or oven. Once an artist assembles the pieces, they place the pieces in a cold kiln and then heat them through a pre-defined cycle, including a slow cooling phase. Unlike hot glass, warm glass is rarely worked manually while hot. It’s common for one piece to use several processes: fusing, slumping and/or casting.

Warm Glass artist in the exhibit

• Kymm Ledbetter: fused glass

Cold Glass

Cold working involves any technique or process done to glass that is not hot. Artists often use this type of glass working in conjunction with hot and warm glass. Grinding, polishing, etching and engraving are examples of cold working techniques. Etched glass, also called frosted glass, is when the surface of the glass has been etched away.

Cold Glass artists in the exhibit

• Jon Kuhn: glass that is cut, polished & fused in a myriad of shapes
• Shanna Wagner: stained glass

Lampworking or Flameworking

In lampworking an artist uses a torch or lamp to melt the glass. They shape the molten glass using tools and hand movements. Artists use lampworking to create beads, figurines, marbles, small vessels and botanical subjects.

Flamework artist in the exhibit

• Emily Williams*
  * Works from this artist are part of the library collection.