
Join us for a free artist talk by Nate Cotterman. Nate is a visiting instructor at PGC and was the first-place winner of the 2023 Art on Fire donation prize for artwork valued at more than $1,000. He received a 10-day residency at PGC. During his residency, he will give a free artist talk. We hope that you’ll join us on Thursday, March 21 at 4:30pm
Nate Cotterman is known for his modern interpretation of glass objects, using traditional Venetian glassblowing techniques, he challenges low-end production with innovative design and handmade quality. Nate Cotterman has created a line of bar ware, lighting, & home décor that is both subtle and powerful. His simple forms highlight the natural beauty of the material.
Nate Cotterman Glass is made up of- Nate Cotterman, Designer, Maker, CFO and his wife, Antonia Campanella, Marketing, Design & Sales.
Nate graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Glass. He has worked as a gaffer for some of today’s top designers and makers. He is a sought after instructor in the field, having demonstrated across the US at institutions such as the University of Montana, Cleveland Institute of Art, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and Pilchuck School of Glass.
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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. |