February 2025 Newsletter

Art In the Shop: Custom Lighting (Featured Artwork)

Fresh out of the shop, this collaborative project gave us the ability to give the homeowners what they had dreamed of. We were thrilled to be tapped by Tom Kelly, a local iron worker. From the drawings we produced samples the homeowner could choose from until they found the perfect match. Using borosilicate glass on the torch, Potekglass created the flowers on the installation. The glass was sand blasted to create the silky look you see now.

Art in the World: Ann Wolff

As one of the founders of the international Studio Glass Movement, Ann Wolff was at the center of attention as early as the end of the 1960s. In her 60-year career, the sculptor has repeatedly created works that make people think. Glass on the one hand is transparent, yet is a solid material. There is no other material that will allow you to look at it and through it at the same time.

Ann Wolff has created homogeneous objects where movement and dance are important to her. Her objects are mostly monochrome, often kept in warm earthy tones. They radiate calmness and strength. Ever recurring themes predominant in her works are womanhood and habitation. She wanted more than shaped surfaces; she processed the material in several different aggregate phases, shaped it, casted it, painted it. Sometimes abstract objects emerged, sometimes figures that tell stories. She has won numerous international awards over the years and exhibited several solo art exhibitions all over the world. The Swedish Royal family has even acquired several of her works. Today, she continues her work as a freelance artist in Sweden and Berlin.

citation from: https://contempglass.org/artists/entry/ann-wolff

Bullseye Glass Announcement: Price change starts March 1st

Bullseye Glass has announced a price increase for 2025 of 5%. While it is never great news about a price increase Potekglass has you covered. Stock up now to beat the increase! Shop in store to pick out your perfect sheet or order online and have it shipped. Free shipping on orders over $200. Wholesale purchases do not receive free shipping, but if you are in the 5 state region it is pretty cheap.

Upcoming Classes at Potekglass

Designing Custom Sheets in the Kiln!

• Day 1: Thursday April 10 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Day 2: Thursday April 17 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Day 3: Thursday April 24 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Day 4: Thursday May 1 | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Instructor: Malcom Potek

Cost: $275 (Member Price: $250)

4-week course, 3 hours each week. $275 plus glass, tools and supplies.

This class will guide you through creating your own one-of-a-kind kiln formed vessel. Students will strengthen their technical firing skills and increase their design arsenal to level up their fused glass skills. Through the use of frits, powders, stringers and various accessory glasses, students will learn how to produce custom sheets and components that will be cut and reassembled into a slumped vessel. Included in this class is how to approach striking and reactive colors in the kiln. Students will have opportunity to work in the shop at a discounted rate outside of class time.

Try-iT! Kiln Class: Fusing and Slumping

Saturday, February 15 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Instructor: Lucie Cherel

Cost: $95 (Member Price: $69)

One day, 3-hour class.

Simple to start endless in its potential; join us for a 3-hour session of kiln forming glass through fusing and slumping. Compose a mosaic of color and form in this introduction to fusing glass in a kiln. Students will learn to cut patterns out of sheet glass, make frit, and work with a variety of glass formats by combining them in the kiln to produce a 5" x 5" glass tile that will then slump into a catch-all dish. No experience or supplies necessary. Class cost covers glass and student tool kit rental for the session.

Glass on Glass with Erin Ward

• Day 1: Saturday, February 22 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
• Day 2: Saturday, March 1 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Design Your Own Glass-on-Glass Mosaic Masterpiece!

Unleash your creativity in this hands-on mosaic workshop led by Erin Ward, an award-winning artist with over a decade of expertise. Over two engaging Saturday sessions (February 22 & March 1, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM), you'll explore essential mosaic techniques and craft a custom glass-on-glass artwork to cherish.

Just bring an 8x10 shadowbox frame (with a real glass insert), nippers, Weldbond glue, bright opaque glass, and your creative spirit. Optional tools are available for purchase to enhance your experience.

Secure your spot today and discover the joy of creating art with glass!

Fused Agate Project

• Day 1: Saturday, March 8 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Day 2: Saturday, March 15 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Day 3: Saturday, March 22 | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Instructor: Mark Trease

Cost: $150 (Member Price: $135)

Join us for the Fused Agate Project, a three-week class where you’ll create beautiful glass "agates" inspired by natural stone patterns. You’ll select vibrant glass pieces, design custom patterns, and assemble a stunning plate or sculpture to take home. Perfect for beginners—no fusing experience required!