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Vetro Glass Blowing Studio and
Gallery to re-Open
as seen in
Hidden inside what
appears to be a dilapidated structure on Barton Street is one of
Grapevine’s most beautiful treasures. The inside of the building is
sweltering in the summer, but the scenery is magnificent.
Vibrantly colored glass
artwork lines the inside walls of the VETRO Glass Blowing Studio and
Gallery. Most of the pieces look as though they should be kept in a
high-end gallery in Dallas or sold at Macy’s.
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"Comforting Embrace" Oil Lamps and
Casted Cross, signifying God embracing his people
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“All of our pieces are
one-of-a-kind,” Gary Hayes, Vetro artist, said. “We couldn’t
duplicate these if we wanted to. That is what makes us different. We
are not an assembly line duplicating the same design over and
over.”
The shelves inside the
studio harbor everything from necklace pendants to vases whose
stature is astounding. This year, Vetro created 17 jewel-toned wine
goblets that will be the center point of the 17th Annual
GrapeFest. All 17 pieces will be offered for sale at the Vintner’s
Auction on Friday evening, September 11, at the Lancaster
Theatre. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Heritage
Foundation. The goblets that Vetro artists, Gary Hayes and David
Gappa created were made in pairs that compliment each other.
“The goblets are one of
the hardest pieces to make,” Gappa said. “It is both technically and
aesthetically challenging because they are very delicate.”
The Dynamic Artistic Duo
is hoping to start a new chapter in their lives. They want to start
concentrating on creating large-scale pieces. A chandelier that was
built at the Vetro studio was on display at the Alpine Gallery in
Fort Worth and is now for sale to the public. One-third of their
business is custom pieces requested by clients.
Vetro offers several classes and has an open door policy. They
invite the public to come during their business hours and watch them
work and create.
“Understanding the
process gives people a better appreciation of the pieces,” Hayes
said.
The artists built
all the equipment and kilns. Each colorful piece of artwork is
initially heated in a flame more that 2000 degrees and then molded.
While creating a paperweight an assistant, Travis Reid, used sheets
from the New York Times to help mold his piece.
“The New York Times is the only paper that doesn’t leave
paper on the glass,” Gappa stated.
Gappa has a background in architecture. While studying at the
University of Texas at Arlington he decided to take some
glassblowing classes to relieve him of strenuous architecture
classes. He immediately found his passion for a new medium.
Hayes came from an
artistic background having worked with glass foe 25 years. “I
started with stain glass and beveled glass. You name it, I worked
with it.”
The two artists met five
years ago at Grapevine’s Main Street Days and have been working
together ever since.
“David
and I collaborate on all the designs,” Hayes said. “When we
collaborate the art goes to the next level.” For information on
hours, classes or to understand more fully how the glassblowing
process takes place, call 817-251-1668 or log onto
Vetro’s website . Vetro
Glassblowing Studio and Gallery is located at 334 S. Barton St.,
Studio 98 in historic Grapevine.
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