Sparking Curiosity: Flameworking 101
.jpg)
Ready to play with fire? Whether you’re a complete beginner looking for a unique new hobby or an experienced glass artist wanting to branch out into a new medium, this course will teach you the fundamentals of the torch. In this workshop, we will cover how to utilize the tools and equipment, as well as how to apply color by drawing, mixing, twisting and pulling to see how different glass colors behave and blend in the heat. We will be working with borosilicate (hard) glass, where you will learn how to create everything from small, sculpted creatures to wearable glass jewelry. Students are encouraged to bring ideas, photos or sketchbooks to class to help inspire and guide their individual projects. Together, we’ll explore multiple flame settings and learn how to fabricate your creations while building your confidence at the torch. No prior flameworking experience necessary.
Christa Westbrook, an Indigenous artist of the Choctaw Nation Tribe of Oklahoma, first discovered the arts of glassmaking in high school. Mesmerized by the molten glow, Westbrook decided to further her education by receiving a BFA in Glass at Emporia State University. After many years of working at The Corning Museum of Glass, she started her own research with color techniques, such as cane manipulation, pattern building and flameworking, to create a narrative about community. Now located in Fort Worth, Texas, Westbrook is currently working as an artist at SiNaCa Studios and traveling across the world to teach the art of glassmaking in both flameworking and furnace glass.
