35th Niijima International Glass Art Festival

10/21-27
Cups, Canes and small objects

Dante Marioni, Ben Edols

Dante Marioni began blowing glass at the age of 16, studying with Benjamin Moore, Lino Tagliapietra, and Richard Marquis. His works, which recreate the extremely advanced techniques passed down by Venetian glass blowers with modern colors and a sense of design, have made him a household name in the world of glass at the age of 19.
His works are simply stunning, blending the meticulous and brilliant Kane techniques admired by glass artists the world over with a contemporary sensibility. Currently based in Seattle, he is an instructor at the Pilchuck Glass School and other workshops around the world.

Ben Edles received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Sydney College of the Arts and completed his graduate studies at the Canberra School of Art in 1992.
He and his wife, Kathy Elliott, conduct glassblowing workshops at the Pilchuck Glass School, Corning Museum of Glass Art Studio, Toyama Glass Art Institute, Niijima Glass Center, Jam Factory, and the Sydney College of the Arts. Their unique plant-inspired blown and sculpted glass vessels and sculptures are in the collections of museums in Australia and around the world.

Cups, Canes and small objects

Laying the ground work for a solid understanding of contemporary studio glass blowing, this will be a technical class focused skill building. Through demonstrations and repetition we be pursuing excellence of hand skills and team work.

letter to students

We are very much looking forward to being back in Niijima and meeting you all. This class will be a technical class focused on giving you clear instruction around some core glass blowing technique. What was called ‘Italian style’ a few decades ago has now become the pervasive ‘norm’ across Nth America, Austraila and much of the studio glass world. The principles of making fine glass on centre from the gather to punty will be looked at carefully and in detail.
There will be daily tasks and instruction based on demosations of tumblers, goblets, bowls and other small vessels. We will be pursuing excellence through repetion and attention to small detail. I would encourage you all to use either clear furnace glass and or make the most of the opinunity of the unique and Iconic Niijia coloured glass.
You should bring your personal hand tools and some colour bar if you can. ‘Hard’ colours for cane making could be put to excellent use later in the session to tie in with the demo’s. Bulleye make an excellent White called Marko Blanko, Gaffer Duro colours may also be available later in the year. Also bring a sketch pad or journal, pencils or pens for note keeping and ideas.

See you soon, Ben Edols

Requirements

Students should have basic glassblowing skill. Years of solid glassblowing experience preferred.

Tuition

100.000 yen (lodging and meals not included)

10/21-27
"hollow vessels in miniature"

Matt Eskuche

Mr. Eskucki became interested in crafts through high school ceramics and metalsmithing, and began framing in 1998. He then spent two months at Penland studying with various instructors. Since then, he has exhibited at SOFA New York and the Chicago and Toronto World Art Fairs, and received an award of excellence from the American Crafts Council.
His work has appeared in many books dealing with the craft. He has demonstrated his work at the International Framework Conference at Salem CommunityCollege in New Jersey, Adelaide, Australia in 2005, St. Louis in 2006, the GAS Conference in Corning in 2009, and Kobe in 2007. Demonstrations have been held around the world, including the International Lamp Cirque Festa in Kobe, Japan, in 2007.
As an instructor, he has assisted in flameworks and taught at Corning, Penland, Pittsburgh, and Eugene Glass Thrules.

hollow vessels in miniature

In this class we will pull points and blow small vessels and other hollow objects. We will practice symetrical forms using clear tubing with diameters ranging from 15mm to 25mm. We will work very small, based on the skill, experience, and interests of each student. As the class proceeds we will add colour, blow larger in scale, and employ more advanced techniques. Sake cups and decanters will be a special project to aim for towards the end of the class.

leter to students

I feel very fortunate and excited to be invited to Niijima for the 35th Annual International Glass Festival in Niijima! it is an honour for me and I'm excited to see the campus and meet everyone involved in the festival. Students of all experience levels are welcome. If you are a beginner, most supplies and equipment will be provided for you. For more experienced students, please bring any equipment and supplies that you are familiar with. We will have discussions and use a chalkboard and sketchbooks to figure out projects. We will work in small scale and guide our projects to fit each students needs and interests. I appreciate your time and effort and am hoping to add some tips and tricks to your flameworking style! -matt

Requirements

From beginner to experts, No flameworkig experience required

Tuition

　 100,000 yen (lodging and meals not included)