1st Annual International Hot Glass Invitational

1st Annual International Hot Glass Invitational
April 3rd-4th, 2009
South Point Casino
Las Vegas, NV

This is going to be the big one folks – Will Menzies from the Flow Magazine http://www.theflowmagazine.com/ is putting together an event that will surely be the largest glassblowing extravaganza the studio glassblowing movement has ever known ! We are calling out the troops for this one – This will be an incredible gathering of artists and collectors that will prove to be THE EVENT TO BE AT! This will be a demonstration/ competition of huge proportions – Surely covering a broad spectrum of glass working techniques - glassblowing / showmanship / and skill ! – The Event will be next door to and in association with the Glass Craft Expo www.glasscraftexpo.com– an show that has been going on for Fifteen Years - Wow and check this out it is going to be at the arena – right next door to the casino – We hew! This arena is The Equestrian Facility of the South Point Casino. This 30,000 sq foot, 4400 seat arena is fully climate controlled and ventilated. The arena is well prearranged with 4 - 72" Flat Screen Monitors that face all side of the arena, as well as a full theatrical lighting set. The control room for the monitors and lighting sits atop a 2 story private "VIP" bar, which has seating for 250 and a full bar with kitchen access. This is going to be the ultimate voice for the art of glass. This is an event that brings the excitement of glass to a captive audience that, when engaged, will become inspired somehow in their own realities! Heavy Man! So anyway there are going to be a few categories. There will be a flame working exhibition that will highlight the extreme technical difficulty of the hand worked glass. Artists and their respective teams will have designated times to do whatever they can dream up. There will also be three full offhand benches on the center stage for hot glassblowing. The goal is to provide the audience with the largest, most dramatic glass sculptures and vessels that the session will allow. There will be glassblowing teams from Mexico Australia Japan Seattle and New York. This will be the ultimate learning experience as well as an incredible networking opportunity for anyone interested in the glass arts. Some of the best artists from around the world will be in attendance. The event will be held from 4 pm til 10 pm Friday and Saturday, the 3rd and 4th of April, 2009. Their will be 3-4 flame working and furnace platforms. The contestant will have 2 1/2 hours to produce their works, providing 2 rotations per night. Flame working contestants will be scheduled both Friday and Saturday night. Furnace working will be Friday night and Saturday night. These team demos will be wildly interactive, educational and incredibly fun for the entire family. I recommend that you fly in early and check out some of the Glass Craft Expo – don’t forget that you can get a booth there as well – lets not forget that times are tough and this is a great opportunity for artists to show off their most recent works – This highly successful event hosted over 200 instructors, 2000 students and 9000 attendees at their 2008 show in April. Rooted in the flat glass world of stained, fused and slumped glass, the show has grown to include hot glass artisans, manufacturers and distributors that account for 1/3 of exhibitors, teachers and students. The show currently appeals to everyone from the hobbyist to the full time artist. The International Hot Glass Invitational will help the show put more emphasis on "High Art & Craft".

E mail me for more info - mauiglassblowing@gmail.com