The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Fused Glass Workshop In Grafton

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The Grafton Community Library will present an introductory Fused Glass Workshop as part of the Grafton Community Arts Program that has been awarded grant funding from The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
Participants will learn the basic properties of glass as related to fusing and the process and techniques of fusing dichroic glass to make jewelry or small glass pieces. Dichroic glass’ main characteristic is that it transmits one wave length of light and reflects another, which means that it displays an array of colors and shows different colors depending on the angle of view. This makes it an exciting, ideal material for artistic endeavors.
Participants can make an item of their choosing such as earrings or pendants. The pieces will be fired in the instructor’s home kiln, and completed pieces will be delivered to the Grafton Community Library.
A choice of two class sessions is offered on Saturday, August 4, at the Grafton Community Library.  A morning class for adults only will run from 9 to 11:30 am. The afternoon session from 1 to 3 pm may include children with a minimum age of ten accompanied by an adult.   Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required, along with a $4 materials fee.  Sign up at the Library at 2455 NY Route 2.
Instructor and artist Ellie Parker has been creating fused glass art for a number of years as part of a small group called Magpies with Hands. Her work is offered at the Saratoga County Arts Center Gallery. Parker has had an unlikely path toward fused glass art. She has a Ph.D. in psychology from SUNY Albany and worked for many years with families and children.  Along the way, she took courses in warm glass techniques, photography, pottery and other art forms and has always been interested in the creative process.
This project is made possible in part through a Community Art$ Grant,  a program funded by The Arts Center of the Capital Region through the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency.  Connect with the Grafton Community Library by phone at 279-0580, or visit www.graftoncommunitylibrary.org.