This is a collection of lecture notes on technical topics in studio glassblowing. The lectures were presented as a part of courses conducted by many well-known glass artists at The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass during its first two and a half years of operation, starting June, 1996.
Glass making involves some very complicated processes. In the past important decisions had to be made by glassmakers who had only their observations and rules of thumb to guide them. In addition, a general atmosphere of secrecy hindered the development of a sound technical basis for glassmaking. Today all the important technical issues have been studied, often in great detail, in order to produce the wealth of sophisticated industrial and artistic glass products that are now available. It is no longer necessary for each generation of glassmakers to reinvent basic processes. Although much of the secrecy that once surrounded glassmaking has been lifted, the understanding that has been gained has often been recorded only in technical journals and books, using terminlology that is not helpful to studio artists.
The goal of these lecture notes is to present in more understandable terms some of the modern understanding of glass science and technology, so that glass artists can be freed from technical constraints, and can find new ways to express themselves in a broader range of materials, processes and forms.
The contributions of Bill Gudenrath, Artist in Residence at The Studio, and Amy Schwartz, Director of The Studio, in designing and presenting these lectures are gratefully acknowledged.
©1999 by Frank E. Woolley
