The semester’s second exhibit in the Mills Gallery, featuring alumni of the glassblowing program who continue to work in the medium, will open Sept. 19. The exhibition is in celebration of the renovation of the glass studio last year.
Alumni exhibiting include Eoin Breadon ’97, Mitch Baker ’02, Erich Minton ’05, Nate Gieseke ’01, Lee Wassink ’92, Heather Whittlesey ’10, Audra Stevens ’06, Samantha Regan ‘11 and Associate professor of art Brian Roberts ’92. Also involved in the show is Professor emeritus John Vruwink ’58. Vruwink started the glassblowing program in 1975. It was the first program in the state at the time and is still only one of two.
New, hand-built equipment for the John Vruwink Glassblowing Studio was installed in April 2011 and includes a furnace that holds 400 pounds of glass, two reheat furnaces and two annealers—ovens for slowly cooling the glass down after the art object has been made.
The show brings to life the successes of glass alumni. “I believe the appeal to students is in viewing what it means for an individual to commit to something that they feel passionate about,” Roberts said. “It is good for students to be able to relate to former students and understand that the potential exists to pursue your dreams and passions and to follow those passions and see where it can take you.”
The show can be seen until Oct. 11. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A demonstration of glassblowing will be held in the glass studio Sept. 29 from 8 a.m. to noon, in conjunction with the Homecoming and Family Weekend festivities. Both the exhibit and the demonstration are free and open to the public.
Read more about the glassblowing studio and successful alumni.
