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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.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Oklahoma Vacation - Chihuly Glass

These Photos are from a Glass Lover - Blenko Collector Taken on his Trip to Oklahoma last month.






Chilhuly took an Art Degree from
University of Washington at Seattle, where he studied interior design, architecture and glassblowing.

Chihuly's work Inside and Out belongs to the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska.
In 1967, he received a Masters of Science in glassblowing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied under Harvey Littleton.** In 1968, he received a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he later helped establish the school's glass program. In that year, he also received a Fulbright Fellowship, and went on to become the first American glassblower to work in the prestigious Venini Fabrica on the island of Murano. Along with several other glass artists, and with the support of John Hauberg and Anne Gould Hauberg, Chihuly founded the influential Pilchuck Glass School in 1971 in Stanwood, Washington.[citation needed]
Chihuly lives and works in his 25,000 square foot (2300 ) studio, nicknamed "The Boathouse" for its former use, on Lake Union. Since losing the vision in one of his eyes in an automobile accident in 1976, Chihuly (who wears an eyepatch) no longer has the depth perception necessary to handle the molten glass himself. Instead, he conceptualizes each project with paint and canvas and then employs a team of artists to do the work. The documentary Chihuly Over Venice became the first HDTV program to be broadcast in the United States when it aired in November 1998. In 1991, Chihuly began his Niijima Floats Series, some of the largest blown glass pieces in the world, at the Niijima International Glass Art Festival in Japan.
Note: **1) BLENKO CONNECTION - Harvey Littelton glass artist one of the early glass artist to be involved with Blenko Factory Workers .
2) Thanks to Webmaster Steve R. for Chihuly - wiki info.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful and I would like to have one of each. Just getting caught up. Have not read in awhile. Some interesting stuff has been going on been missing it. Yes I like the angel and the snowman and they would make lovely gifts for chirstmas for the grandchildren. Buy Blenko and someday if mom and dad don't have college money my grandbabies can sale their Blenko, better than a saving with mom and dad's name on it.Roxie

Anonymous said...

Your readers take nice vacations, my own photos will be of a downtown park Laugh!
No vacation other than visitng family and moving to mid west.

Phani said...

Bridgett,

Call ASAP. I have flight to San Jose this afternoon. Check your email.

Phani

WV Janis said...

I feel like Roxie! Away from the computer for a day and the messages fly! I hope the powers that be at Blenko are reading this message traffic and taking it to heart. We all love Blenko and want the best for the company and the employees.

Surely Blenko would not turn down Cracker Barrel! Surely they would return phone calls about making trophies.

I would be interested in knowing what it would take for Damon Crain to find contemporary BLENKO appealing and of sufficient quality for collecting.

Personally, I could use some clear glasses. The only Blenko glasses available are very expensive (the ones with the swirl of glass around them). I need glasses for every day drinking of water. Currently, I am using my Seneca driftwood casual glasses and they don't stack very well and, since Seneca is out of business, they can only be replaced on the secondary market.

By the way, in May's Southern Living Magazine, on p. 34, Blenko Glass is mentioned, in conjunction with an article on the Stonewall Resort. Nice to see the publicity.

It is so funny, Car Girl avoids the "olive green" tangerine/amberina. On a road trip today, I purchased a 16" tangerine and green pottery serving platter to match my green and orange WV glass. A little pottery does wonders for glassware, especially when a light source is not available. Car girl, if you ever come to my house, I'll not make you go in the orange and green room. LOL!!!

I will be back on the road (in WV) for the next several days and can't wait to see what kind of messages are waiting upon returning. Hope to buy a couple pieces of glass this week (will send photos). I-79 here I come!

West Virginia Janis

Heart of Glass said...

I also like the orange W Va Janis
and I use Seneca and Morgantown glass chargers weekly.
Nothing like West Virginia Glass.
Festiaware bowls, Blenko glasses and other tablewares. Have you been to Tamarack some of our best potters/ ceramic artist works are on display.
hjh

Anonymous said...

Hilary
Dr Bob is presenting an outstanding opportunity, be wise and take time to observe and determine the value of your work. Foundation support would bring many perks.

Anonymous said...

Another item I can not attend Aug 22 but want to belong to the group, feel as if I owe you this. I have read the blog for more than a year.
Tell me the process to join.

Anonymous said...

Phani
The Blenko location in San Jose
is closed. I checked. Information was old, closed in 07.
Mountain Rita

Anonymous said...

Phani has left a new comment on your post "Oklahoma Vacation - Chihuly Glass":

Thanks Rita.

Anonymous said...

Chihuly isn't West Virginian
and his glass has never been made in West Virginia.

sweetdoc said...

Very different than Chihuly's usual stuff isn't it?