Thomas Spake

Glass

I began blowing glass back in 1994. As it happened, I went to Centre College to pursue a basketball scholarship, but as fate would have it, a work study in the art department introduced me to glassblowing. I remember that jaw dropping moment, seeing the molten material rotating on the blow pipe, the creative energy, the improvisation, the dance, the sweat, the teamwork. All these things at once. This was something I had to do. After 2 years, I walked off the court, and into the hot shop to take my first class. The rest, well, is art history.

The college glass experience was one of exploration, trial and error, and a "see what happens" approach. This is how art is created, through a willingness to explore the material and make mistakes. When I graduated, I received a fellowship at the Appalachian Center for Craft. This experience focused my attention on the fine details of glass blowing, crafting the perfect object, great technique, and the understanding of the process.