|
|
Imagine if you will, a dimension beyond that which has been known to glass enthusiasts: A weekend entirely devoted to hot glass and the lampworking community; a combination of the latest torches, tools, glass and visual inspiration. Add to this the most talented lampworkers sharing their passion for glass. While soaking up information and swapping techniques, you wander through 15,000 square feet to admire and purchase glass art and handmade glass beads from 48 fine artists. And, you won’t want to miss the latest and greatest offerings from 17 technical venders. You are now about to enter “The Flame-Off Zone.” (Insert spooky music here…)
This and more describes the latest episode in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The New Mexico State Fairgrounds was the site for the seventh annual Albuquerque Best Bead and Glass Show, held November 8 - 12, 2002. New this year, the Flame-Off activities took place in the adjoining hall of the School Arts Building. All of this was hosted and planned by Lewis C. Wilson of Crystal Myths, Inc. Wilson
(aka Dirty Looie) has been instrumental in providing fine glass art and educational lampworking instruction and videos for over 29 years. His skills are well known and respected, and his engaging personality and whimsical smile cannot be missed. From this writer’s personal experience, the Flame-Off was THE most memorable glass related event of 2002.
Beginning on Friday morning, the Flame-Off opened with 59 participants and 300 spectators. There were three categories offered in the competition; sculptural (including goblets), marbles and beads. There was a specific amount of time allotted for each category as all of the participants used this time at the torch to complete their masterpiece. The bead and marble makers were each allowed 90 minutes, and the sculptural competitors were given 2 ½ hours. There were at least four torches flaming at all times, while attendees cheered their friends and favorites. There was somewhat of a circus atmosphere as flame-workers created their entries with showmanship and a great deal of flare (bad pun intended). The competition continued late into the evening.
The following morning the competition continued while the first entries were removed from kilns and placed in cases to be admired. The second day wrapped up by 9 p.m. Always willing to give priority to his fellow artists, Wilson sacrificed himself to save one competitor’s sculpture. While the piece was being placed into the kiln, a glove got caught on the inside of the kiln, which was holding at 1,050 degrees. Wilson was able to save the glass sculpture by reaching into the kiln to detach the glove. Although his arm was gloved, he ended his evening with a severe second-degree burn down his right forearm. All of this, of course, was captured on video. Lewis…what were you thinking? I don’t even have to ask to know he would do it again, without thinking twice, given the same circumstances.
Judging took place on Sunday as the 59 entries were considered. There were 16 beads, 24 marbles and 19 sculptural pieces. Each registered show attendee and vendor was allowed one vote in each of the three categories. The Flame-Off participants also voted, but could not vote for their own entry. The votes were tallied in full view while they accumulated, with no room for error or discrepancy.
Throughout the weekend events, over 34 hours of video was captured for editing, which will later be released in DVD and/or video format. The footage is also currently being edited for a documentary to be released in the future. Prior to announcing the top three places in each category, 108 door prizes were awarded by raffle. The prizes donated for the raffle totaled thousands of dollars and included kilns, torches, glass, tools and supplies. As the names were drawn, winners were allowed to pick their prize. With so many prizes, the raffle lasted almost two hours. By the end of the weekend, everyone was anxious for the last of the events - the presentation of the awards.
Awards went to the following people:
Sculptural: First Place - Dellene Peralta; Second Place - Marcel Braun; Third Place - Eli Aller
Marbles: First Place - Gateson Recko; Second Place - Josh Sable; Third Place - Jesse Taj
Beads: First Place - Andrew Brown; Second Place - Patti Walton; Third Place - Sharon Peters
The following interview with Lewis Wilson is an attempt to provide further insight into the Flame-Off activities.
LC: Hey Looie, when did you first get the idea for hosting the Flame-Off?
LW: I first started thinking about this in February 2002. During the Tucson “Best Bead Show” we held a small flame-off competition at The Philabaum Glass Gallery and Studio. I first planned the event for
beadmakers. Willy Horn, of Glass Torch Technology (GTT), offered to donate eight torches as prizes. This then gave me the incentive to add the sculptural/goblet competition. Nortel Manufacturing also offered additional torch prizes. This then enabled me to add the third division for marbles.
LC: What were your goals/reasons for planning this event?
LW: The showman inside me made me do it. And like everything I do in glass, to share knowledge.
LC: What were some of the major obstacles you had to overcome?
LW: There were three obstacles. The first was convincing State Fair bureaucrats that a small hole was needed through the side of the building. This was necessary to plumb in the propane. There were also concerns in running many torches and in handling ventilation. The last difficulty was the working order and assignments for the competitors. Susan Webb and Didi Dahlsrud from Glass Alchemy took over these assignments.
LC: What were the highlights for you?
LW: That the event wasn’t shut down and that it all worked! There were so many technical vendors that showed up and so many people who wanted to participate. If you plan it, they will come.
LC: Who were the major contributors for this event?
LW: Major sponsors were Glass Alchemy and Glass Torch Technologies. Nortel Manufacturing also contributed. Carlisle Machine Works loaned torches to be used in the competition.
LC: Do you consider the event successful?
LW: Extremely!
LC: And finally, will you do this again?
LW: I won’t be doing this again, but have been approached by others for consulting purposes.
|
|
|
