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Artist Talk with U.S. Army Sergeant Geoffrey Bowton
5/22/2025 | 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Join us and Touchstone Center for Crafts for an artist conversation with U.S. Army Sergeant and combat veteran Geoffrey Bowton.
Geoffrey draws inspiration from his military background and deployment experiences in the Middle East in his studio practice. His glass work delves into the complexities of war, post-traumatic stress, and mental wellness, offering a profound exploration of these themes.
“Transitioning from military service to becoming a veteran artist, my studies in Pate de Verre offer a medium for navigating the emotional landscapes of deployment history and current veteran experiences. By casting items symbolic of my service, I use these artifacts as prompts to explore the unresolved aspects of my life, highlighting areas for personal growth and development, while raising awareness within the community.
Each creation represents a lens through which I examine and address the gaps in my journey, fostering introspection and healing. Through my art, I aim to initiate dialogue, foster empathy, and advocate for a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by veterans on the path to self-discovery and transformation,” Geoffrey says.
Geoffrey is in Pittsburgh for the opening of his exhibition Veteran Obsolete at Touchstone Center for Crafts May 3 – July 26, 2025. The exhibition sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by military members as they navigate a challenging transition back into civilian life. This showcase delves into sensitive topics, offering a fresh perspective on post-service experiences and the journey of claiming a new identity.
Read more about Geoffrey and his artwork on his website or on Instagram.
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Hot Shop ActivitiesWith the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to transform 2,000°F molten glass into a unique glass artwork. Sculpted items will be manipulated and shaped with various metal hand tools. Blown items will be inflated via a flexible tube attached to a blow pipe. The Hot Shop, as the name might suggest, can get warm at times, particularly during summer months. That being said, the activity will only take about 10-15 minutes per person so you won’t be warm for long. We encourage our guests to wear lighter, natural material clothing for safety and comfort. Visitors are welcome to bring water bottles and a water fountain/filling station is available. These activities will involves sitting, standing, and walking around. Suitable for ages 5 and up. |
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Kiln Shop Fusing ActivitiesCombine brilliantly colored pieces of glass granules and thin glass strands to create a one-of-a-kind luminous fused glass artwork. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so that all pieces become one. Participants will work seated in our climate-controlled Classroom and with room temperature pieces of glass. You will begin with a glass tile that acts as your “canvas,” then arrange the colorful glass granules and thin glass strands into a design of your choosing. Once the designs are complete, suncatchers are placed in a kiln overnight to melt (fuse) together forever. Suitable for ages 5 and up. |
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Flame Shop ActivitiesWith the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to use tools and a tabletop torch to melt and manipulate glass rods and transform them into truly one-of-a-kind objects. These activities take place in our climate controlled Flame Shop, which involves working with a flame, but is not nearly as warm as our Hot Shop. Participants will be sitting at a workstation, making this option slightly more accessible and less physically demanding. Suitable for ages 8 and up. |