704-287-4572
"I became interested in glass over four years ago," says local artist, Rose Hawley. "Through internet research, I was able to find huge communities of glass artists up north and out west, but just a few individuals working independently in the southeast. So, I headed out to Bullseye Glass Factory in Portland, Oregon, where I studied the science of glass, and learned countless techniques of fusing, slumping, and torching glass.
"I worked in glass by myself for almost three years. Every discovery, every advancement I made in glass was triumphant. I was inventing new techniques every day. Imagine my surprise when I went to see the Murano Factory Glass Exhibit at Charlotte's Mint Museum of Craft and Design. There, on display, were the techniques I thought I had invented, being used in pieces created by glass artists in the year of 1919. I had been merely re-inventing the wheel.
"Since that day, I made a point of introducing myself to experienced glass artists in the Charlotte area, in hopes of finding some, with whom I could share and learn about glass and glass related art and craft. That quest led to the formation of Art In The Dairy, a school of glass, and glass related art and craft. At Art In The Dairy, students can learn a wide variety of skills and techniques; from designing glass, to welding their own frames from steel; from making beads, to capping them with silver castings; and too many more to name.
"Check out artinthedairy.com for a complete listing of our currently scheduled classes. Many are start to finish projects which will make great holiday gifts!"