Title

Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Capital Classic Trophy

In an exciting game until the last minute WVU WON 66 -64.

The Capital Classic Trophy was in everyones eyes a WINNER.

This trophy is AWESOME.

Blenko reports Glass craftsmen and designers from Blenko along with metal sculptors from Anderson Welding, created two three-foot trophies to be given to the winners of the annual basketball games between Marshall University and West Virginia University men's and women's basketball teams. The one-of-a-kind trophies took more than two months to design, build and assemble.
Glass finisher Randy Rider (www.blenkoproject.org for additional Rider info) said he and glass blower Perry Bays created more than 50 pieces for the trophies during the development phase of the project. The builders and designers Arlon Bayliss and Mary Jo Andersen experimented with different colors, shapes and textures before settling on the design, according to Rider.


The Capital Classic Trophy is unique in that it is composed of blue/ green to represent WVU and MARSHALL we learned those colors are also the colors of the Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the sponsor of Capital Classics and commissioners of the trophy construction. Both statues also have four stylized flames made of glass, stainless steel center supports and bases and a glass basketball on the top. "

Both teams (men and women) played to a sell out crowd, the crowd was alive and into the game. The audience included Gov and Mrs. Manchin many members of the West Virginia Legislature and Government Officials.

11 comments:

bridgett said...

Pretty will you interview Rider/ Bayliss about the inspiration for this piece?

Anonymous said...

That is beautiful! I like those colors together. Blue and green is very refreshing with the clear glass. It reminds me of spring. Will those trophy's go with the collection of Blenko that WVU already has on display?

Anonymous said...

Hills
The colors do not seem very bright
can you fix so photo will enlarge?
Want to show my buddies what West Virginia Glass looks like.
Paul Jordan
U S Army

WV Janis said...

Such brilliant thinking behind these trophies. Please do find out more about the creative process and inspiration. We need to document/archive this information.

On a related note, I hope the trophy for the women's team is the "slim-waisted" one and the one for the men's team is the one with the "bulging" waist!

(West Virginia) Janis

Anonymous said...

First timer to your blog. Interesting. I read 6 months of the blog. The referring party described you as boring. I found the blog to be entertaining.
TS

Heart of Glass said...

Bridgett:
I'll ask Rider/Bayliss for interview time.
Roundhead:
You and Ram are the most 'postive' people on earth!
Paul:
Until I finish school and can afford a GOOD camera the quality will remain the same. (sorry)
TS:
Virginia Wolf wrote' The man (woman) who is aware of himself (herself) is hence forward independent and never bored.' While I thank the person who referred you - the boredom is their issue.
Thank you all for reading the Herald and for commenting!
HJH

WV Janis said...

HIllary:

Regarding the issue of the quality of your camera
("Paul: Until I finish school and can afford a GOOD camera the quality will remain the same. [sorry]").

If I were one of the Mr. Blenkos or Governor Manchin, I'd have a new digitial camera (Nikon D3) delivered to your doorstep! You are doing so much to promote 1) hand-blown glass, 2) Blenko, and 3) West Virginia. You deserve a good camera.

I would like to see as much identifying of old glass as possible on here. Even blenkomuseum.org, you can't always find what you are looking for.

Thank you for your dedication to the above-mentioned causes.

(West Virginia) Janis

lewisdvdphd said...

Sol and I were there
Think we saw you with your father and some other men.
I have excellent photos of the trophy and both coaches if you want them.
Let me know how we can exchange email addresses.

Dr.BOB said...

Game was not well played!
Trophy was the only highlight.

Anonymous said...

West Virginia Janis
You have the EYE OF AN ARTIST
I hadn't noticed the size difference Keep those comments comming. I like your wayof thinking. Are you a Mountaineer?
wvuguy07

WV Janis said...

wvuguy07 (aka) anonymous

Thank you for your nice comment. Yes, I've been told I'm as close to an artist as one can be without making money from the profession!

I still want to know which trophy went to the men and which went to the women.

Yes, I am a WVU grad. However, I'm ancient compared to the guy with the '07 moniker.

Thanks to Hillary for bringing all of the hand-blown WV glass fans together. I also like Viking glass, although mostly molded, it has a great look too. I think it was Husted who worked at Viking for a while. I'd be interested in seeing a succinct timeline of where all the Blenko designers worked after Blenko and pictures of designs that made it into other non-Blenko lines. Perhaps Hillary can pick this up as another thread.

WV(u)Janis