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Three-day event will include fused glass workshops, demonstrations

 

TRYON—The 4th annual FuseFest: Firing Up the Foothills will begin on February 16, and it promises to be a one-of-a-kind learning experience for fused glass enthusiasts. 

The three-day event will be held at the Tryon Arts and Crafts School and will feature instructors from across the country. Students come from all over the country to attend. 

FuseFest is an immersive fused glass workshop series with social activities and demonstrations. Attendees can register now to reserve their spot in three sessions with Tony Glander, Liz Haas, and Brad Walker. In addition to mingling and practicing glass fusion with trailblazing artists, attendees can explore TACS’ Heritage Collection, Artisan Retail Shop, library and studios in other art disciplines. 

Fusefest will kick off with a social event on Friday evening, featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres and craft demonstrations. On Saturday and Sunday, attendees will check in at 8:30 a.m. and enjoy coffee and pastries before beginning their workshops. Lunch breaks will be from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. each day, with pre-ordered lunches available. Attendees can also participate in group photographs on Sunday before the event concludes. 

In his workshop on ‘Innovative Slumping with Found Glass,’ Tony Glander will explore how to use and fire with float and tempered glass on molds. He owns Fitzpatrick Glass Studios in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and is known for creating commission-based residential and commercial glass art. Liz Haas will teach ‘Sandcarving Your Designs in Glass,’ where students will sand carve a design into a wine bottle and add a paint fill. She is the education coordinator for Rayzist Photomask. Brad Walker will lead a workshop on ‘Smooshed Glass,’ which involves using weighted materials such as kiln shelves placed on top of layered glasses to create a watercolor effect. Brad founded warmglass.com and is the author of Contemporary Fused Glass. 

FuseFest is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a Department of Natural and Cultural Resources division. For those interested in fused glass, this is an event not to be missed.

For more information, visit tryonartsandcrafts.org/fusefest-2024.