Artists put flame to glass for school fundraiser

Tucson is known for rich and diverse arts, and on Friday night, residents and visitors have a unique opportunity to experience a glass arts scene that is literally on fire.

The 15th annual Flame Off will showcase the skills of 17 local, national and international glass artists in a competition that will begin at 7 p.m. at the Sonoran Glass School, 633 W. 18th St.

“This is similar to an Iron Chef competition, but it is a competition for individuals skilled in flameworking or torchworking ... think in terms of a Bunsen burner, but it is much more powerful. It is basically a torch with flame, and artists use the torch to melt rods or tubes of glass and create pieces of art in front of the audience,” said John-Peter Wilhite, Sonoran Glass School executive director.

The competition comprises two 90-minute rounds. Each round features eight or nine renowned artists, and each artist must complete a work of art within that time frame. Hosts commentate on the action and explain artist techniques during the competition; afterward judges choose first- through fourth-place winners and a people’s choice award is chosen via the Sonoran Glass School Facebook page.

Artists work within a theme for the competition and are allowed to premake some components of their pieces if they choose. But the construction of each piece takes place live.

Wilhite said that the theme is always chosen to give artists abundant opportunity for expression. This year the theme is “What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been,” based on the Grateful Dead’s 18-track collection released in 1977.

“It is way out there and very different, so the artists have the chance to really create. One person may do a vessel, while somebody else may do a sculpture of a person or a creature. And another may decide to do a paperweight piece. All of the pieces will vary depending on how the artists interpret the theme,” he said.

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Wilhite said that participants include well-known artists as well as new artisans, and that each one is incredibly talented.

“They are all doing incredible work ... the excitement is about the opportunity to watch these artists at work in front of you. It is a cool process,” he said.

The completed pieces of art are donated to the Sonoran Glass School for an auction that begins at the event and continues until 4 p.m. on Feb. 10. The pieces will be on display at the school, where bids will be accepted. Bids can also be made online on the Sonoran Glass School Facebook page. (See box.)

All proceeds benefit the nonprofit school, which offers a wide range of educational courses, one-on-one experiences, visiting artist seminars and community events. Private and group classes highlight craft, color and design in glassblowing and torchworking; students can learn techniques such as glass fusing, slumping, mosaic, stained glass, bead making and kiln casting in kiln-forming classes.

The Sonoran Glass School was founded 15 years ago by Tom Philabaum and is one of a handful of nonprofit glass art educational facilities in the nation, according to Wilhite. In addition to providing unique educational opportunities, he said that it highlights a medium that has been significant for thousands of years and is becoming increasingly appreciated amongst American collectors.

“It has really been in the last 50 years in the United States that there has been a movement where more collectors specifically collect glass art and museums highlight glass collections. Some museums only collect glass,” he said.