Can You Say, “Spectacular?”
Well, we just completed our first Guest-Artist Weekend Workshop, with Alexander Rosenberg, accomplished glassblower, and most recently known for his appearance on the Netflix series, ‘Blown Away.’
This workshop couldn’t have gone any better, and we couldn’t have selected a better person than Alex. His course was called Next Steps, and he worked with 6, intermediate students, focusing on refinements of skills, now that they have some experience with glass blowing. And, with the success of this workshop, we are already thinking about future workshops and teachers we can ask to participate. In August, we already have Josh Bernbaum, also nationally-known, living in Vermont, teaching a workshop on advanced techniques with cane and murrini.
But, I have to say, in the bigger picture, the fact that we have had any kind of weekend workshop, at all, is extremely gratifying and quite remarkable. When I first had the idea to approach Waterfall Arts with a glassblowing studio, it was going to be very small, just for me, so I could have place to do my work, and, MAYBE, teach a little. Shortly after, when Carmi Katsir joined the venture, things rapidly started to take shape and expand. Kim Fleming, executive director of Waterfall Arts, immediately saw the possibilities, and was very excited about having a glass studio. The board of directors followed suit. The timing to have this studio come to fruition, was quite remarkable, considering it was all done during Covid!!
We had our big, opening-day celebration in the middle of July, 2021. Then, we started off with glass experiences for the public, grew to having continuing classes for Belfast High School, and then BCOPE, the alternative high school in Belfast, then an 8-week beginner’s class, open to the public, then an 8-week class for intermediate students, then more beginner’s and intermediate classes, and now this workshop. All in a little less than two years!! And, we know we will keep expanding.
So, thank you, all of you who have been so supportive. This is absolutely thrilling. The people of Belfast, the community of artists, the community of glassblowers, the community of supporters, the Waterfall Arts administration. Thank you.
I will keep you posted with future successes.
