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Three-day event included reception, instruction on fused glass techniques

 

TRYON–This past weekend, the Tryon Arts and Crafts School hosted students and instructors from all across the country for the 2023 Fusefest: Firing Up the Foothills, an intensive fused-glass workshop.

 

The three-day event began with a kick-off reception followed by instruction on fused glass techniques on Saturday and Sunday. Katie D’s NY Bagels and Deli catered lunch and attendees received welcome bags from First Peak Visitors Center in Columbus. GreenLife Inn at Mimosa provided lodging for the three guest instructors, and Tryon Coffeehouse Co-op provided coffee and pastries.

 

Guest Instructor Jennifer Joy Walkovich of Tucson, Ariz., spoke highly of the event, TACS, and the area. 

 

“The school is like none other I’ve seen and has the most amazing facilities, and I’ve taught all over the country,” said Walkovich. “It’s a beautiful area, and I hope to visit it again in the future.”

 

Other instructors included Joan Phillips, who also serves as the Director of the City of Clemson Arts Center. Phillips taught a workshop on how to create and assemble multi-layered glass collages. She was joined by Judy Harrington of Greenville, S.C., who taught a class on transferring images to silk screens. 

 

“2023 Fusefest was a lot of fun and had a great turnout, and will be back again in 2024 from February 16-18,” said local instructor Karoline O’Rourke. 

 

Sponsors included Tryon Fine Arts Center, North Carolina Arts Council, Oceanside Glass & Tile, Techniglass and the Greenlife Inn at the Mimosa.