The magic of seeing molten glass transformed into a colorful vase, paperweight, or even a flaming ray gun, draws many visitors annually to the Virginia Hot Glass Festival in Staunton, Virginia. For the glass artists, the Festival is a chance to take part in an art show dedicated to their unique medium, and an opportunity to work together in a studio before an enthralled crowd.
This year’s event is set for Saturday, April 23, 9am-6pm, and Sunday, April 24, 10am-5pm, at Sunspots Studios in the downtown Staunton historic shopping and dining district. Hot glass artists from around the region bring booths full of beautiful art glass items and demonstrate their craft throughout the weekend. On-going demonstrations of glassblowing and flame-working techniques are what set this Festival apart, providing a rare opportunity to watch artists at work. And best of all, it is free.
See Maryland’s Art of Fire glass blowers create a fire-breathing dragon that shoots flames from its mouth during one of the glassblowing demonstrations. Watch flame work glass artists melt tine rods of glass in the heat of a torch and form them into colorful beads, marbles and miniature sculptures.
The artists’ booths will take over the second floor of Sunspots Studios, showcasing hot glass creations from the functional to purely artistic. Goblets, vases, glass jewelry, marbles and more will be available to purchase or just admire.
“The amazing variety that hot glass allows as a medium is clear when you take a walk through the artists’ booths during the Festival,” says Sunspots’ owner Doug Sheridan. “The colors and shapes, and the almost magical properties of glass, give it a special place in the art world. And the fact that a piece must be created from start to finish in one sitting—usually in a space of less than 30 minutes—is intriguing.” Sheridan is also one of Sunspots’ glass artists, where glass blowing demonstrations are offered daily throughout the year.
In addition to glass art, the Virginia Stone Carvers will be exhibiting and demonstrating stone sculpting across the street from Festival. Barren Ridge Vineyards will offer wine tasting near the second floor artist booths. The Beverley Street Studio School will also be hosting the Queen City Plein Air painting festival in downtown Staunton Tuesday, April 19, through Saturday, April 23. The Garden Week tours of historic homes in Staunton will be happening on Saturday, April 23.
More details: Virginia Hot Glass Festival
Festival hours are Saturday, April 23, 9am to 6pm, and Sunday, April 24, 10am to 5pm. The Festival is held indoors at Sunspots Studios, 202 S. Lewis St. in downtown Staunton. Parking is available on-site, and the Festival is handicapped accessible.
About Sunspots Studios
Sunspots Studios creates and sells art glass in its Staunton gallery and studios, and offers visitors live glass blowing demonstrations daily year-round. Sunspots is five minutes from I-81 (Exit 220) and I-64, near Staunton’s historic train depot. It is located in the historic Klotz Building, 202 S. Lewis St., at the corner of Middlebrook Ave., and is open 7 days a week. For more information, call Sunspots Studios at (540) 885-0678, or visit www.sunspots.com.
For information on other area tourist attractions and lodging, call the Staunton Convention and Visitors Bureau (800) 342-7982 or visit www.visitstaunton.com.
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