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Internationally
Renowned Glass Artist, Richard Blenko, Visits VETRO!
Local glass
artists David Gappa and Gary Hayes of VETRO Contemporary
Glassblowing Studio in Grapevine, Texas were honored with a surprise
visit from internationally renowned glass artist Richard Blenko
during the final hours of GrapeFest on Sunday afternoon. Seven
journalists visiting VETRO for a live glassblowing demonstration at
the time Mr. Blenko arrived were very pleasantly surprised by the
unexpected photo opportunity.
During the visit, Blenko, Gappa, and Hayes discussed various
technical aspects of the complex machinery used in this ancient art
form as well as the organizational set up of the VETRO Studio in
comparison to the Blenko Studio. They also discussed the length of
time each artist had been blowing glass, the length of time VETRO
had been open for business, different materials used, and shared
several laughs discussing 'shop humor' about some of the unusual
things that can happen during the glassblowing process.
In 1976, Richard Deakin Blenko, son of William Jr. joined the
business, becoming the fourth generation to work in the family
business. In 1989, he published the book "Blenko Glass 1930-1953,"
and founded the Blenko Glass Museum. He has appeared on CNN, Fox
(FX) television and has been the topic of many national articles. He
is also very well known for the glass blowing demonstrations aired
on the PBS network fundraisers, as well as donations of Blenko art
glass during these fund raisers.
Both David Gappa and Gary Hayes expressed to Richard Blenko their
long-standing admiration of the exquisite beauty and enduring
quality of the art glass produced by Mr. Blenko's four-generation
business. They talked about the long journey involved in bringing
the passion of artistic vision to fruition as a business venture,
commenting that they were now traveling the same road previously
traveled by Blenko as well as his ancestors. Gappa and Hayes
expressed their sincere appreciation to Blenko for taking the time
from his busy schedule to visit their operation.
Mr. Blenko designed and donated a pair of beautiful wine goblets,
which were auctioned at a fundraiser benefiting the Grapevine
Heritage Foundation, which is responsible for the historical
preservation of downtown Grapevine. Hayes and Gappa each donated a
piece of unique art glass from two of their exclusive series that
had been signed and dated by the individual artist for this worthy
cause.
VETRO Contemporary Glassblowing Studio, recognized in Southern
Living Magazine in December of last year, specializes in custom hand
blown art glass and in large glass installations, as well as
teaching classes. They are located at 334 S. Barton Street, #98 in
Grapevine. You may contact them at (817) 251-1668, (817) 233-3777,
or you may visit their website at
www.vetroartglass.com.
Open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM to
10:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
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