Lucky
buyers recently got a chance to purchase hand-blown glass at reduced
prices at Vetro Glassblowing Studio and Gallery in Grapevine.
The glassworks, which had small flaws, were available for as much
as a third or quarter of what a flawless piece sells for.
David Gappa, owner of Vetro, said in most cases the flaws are
not noticeable. Gappa said these seconds are often made by glassblowers
who are perfecting their art.
“It takes about two years just to make the basic, traditional
vase,” he said. “And that is not gallery quality.”
One man has been working for six years with Vetro, and, Gappa
said, he has enough experience to make gallery-quality pieces.
Gappa said he is looking across the nation for more experienced
glassblowers.
Gappa said he was an architectural graduate student at the University
of Texas at Arlington when he learned that the university had a
glassblowing program. He said he began blowing glass and learned
that he enjoyed it.
Inside Vetro, glass pieces are mounted on the walls, inside cabinets
and on stands. There is also a seating area to watch artists blow
glass.
“We wanted the glassblowing to be the complete experience,” he
said. “We wanted glass to be all around you. More than anything
we are selling an experience.”
Gappa said Vetro does many commissions for companies and private
homes.
“Our main approach is the really one-of-a-kind vessels and installations,”
he said. “I like working on the steel and glass mixed media. It’s
a little bit more of a challenge.”
Vetro recently began working with a stone artist to combine glass
and stone.
Gappa said Vetro also has private dinners and team-building events
in the studio. He said at one of these events the participants
will help create glass pieces, usually simple paper weights or
beads.
The participants don’t blow glass, however. Gappa said it takes
a lot of practice, so a person can’t just walk in the studio and
safely begin blowing glass. But the participants do help create
pieces.
Vetro has been in business nine years in Grapevine, the last four
years in the Grapevine Heritage Center. The center also features
Archie St. Clair, a sculptor.
Gappa said he would like to see more artists, such as a blacksmith,
working at the Grapevine Heritage Center. This would help attract
more visitors to the center, where the Cotton Belt Depot is located
and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad picks up passengers.
Gappa said Shannon Shumate, Vetro gallery manager, has worked
at Vetro for three years. Gappa said he is often focused on creating
art pieces and Shumate helps manage the gallery.
“Without her everything would fall apart,” he said, smiling.
Vetro is located at 701 S. Main St. in Grapevine. For information
about Vetro, log on to www.vetroartglass.com or call 817-251-1668.
