On a recent company field trip to St. Petersburg, Florida, a group of Delphi Glass employees attended a glassblowing demonstration at a local Hot Shop.
With music pumping in the background, the group watched as the glassblower gathered, rolled, twirled and twisted a glob of molten glass.
He shaped it with conviction and intensity. He performed a calculated dance from the furnace, to the rod, to the steel table. And only moments later, the lava evolved into a striking vessel. From a furnace - to a queens dowry. That is the magic of glass.
After the demonstration, the group wandered into the Hot Shops Glass Studio still mesmerized from the lively performance. The space sparkled with bottles, bowls, pitchers, jewelry and more.
Had the group not just witnessed the demonstration, they might have overlooked these vessels. But now the bowls and plates were more than just colorful glass shapes. They represented an artist. A man with a compulsion, and a vision, and an ability to create something incredible from nothing at all.
At Delphi, were inspired by art like this every day. This glassblower is one of many who make a living teaching, creating and selling glass art. And because Delphi believes art appreciation comes from education, we are proud to partner with artists and instructors at the Morean Arts Center. Together we look forward to supporting local artists and providing quality instruction to future glass artists.
About the Morean Arts Center
The Morean Arts Center consists of the Chihuly Collection, the Glass Studio Hot Shop and the arts centers galleries and classrooms. The Morean Center for Clay, a fourth component to the non-profit arts center, opened inside a former railway freight depot and, through a partnership with St. Pete Clay, has become the largest working pottery in the Southeastern United States.
We believe in creativity, ingenuity, our artists, our future artists and in St. Petersburg as a world-class arts destination. We believe that St. Petersburg is on the cusp of having a successful and thriving glass industry, states Morean executive director Katee Tully. Through our partnership with Delphi, we hope to provide even more opportunities
for the glass industry in St. Petersburg.
The Morean, which started as an art club in 1917, also offers a variety of classes for all ages in many mediums, including glass.
The visitor experience at the Hot Shop is compelling and interesting and relates perfectly to the new Chihuly exhibition in a city that has undergone a renaissance in the arts. Downtown St. Petersburg now includes seven museums, dozens of galleries and a myriad of choices in the culinary arts.
View and purchase pieces made by the resident arts of the Morean Hot Shop.
If you live in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area or are traveling to Florida, plan your visit to the Morean Arts Center here.
Photo Credit: (Top Left) Dale Chihuly, Mille Fiori (detail), 2010, 10-1/2' x 33-1/2' x 10-1/2', Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL, Photo by Terry Rishel; (at right) Chihuly Collection presented by Morean Arts Center, photo by Al Hurley
Delphi Glass Partners with the Morean Arts Center
