Thousands of Ohio Valley Students to Experience Live Glassworking
Through New Hot Glass Roadshow

WHEELING, W.Va. (August 17, 2009) - -Oglebay Institute takes the live glassmaking experience on the road this fall thanks to funding from the Challenge America NEA/WV Partnership Grant.

Developed by Oglebay Institute staff, the Hot Glass Roadshow extends glassmaking beyond the walls of the Glass Museum, bringing the artistry and education of this lost art to thousands of Ohio Valley students.

A fully operational mobile glass studio will allow Oglebay Institute’s resident glass artisans- Bob Allen and Taylor Kelly- to demonstrate complex hot glassmaking techniques at a variety of venues, particularly elementary schools in Ohio and Marshall counties.

Engagement with live glassmaking through narrated demonstrations and hands-on workshops is central to the experience at the Glass Museum. These programs complement the history and the artistry of glass showcased in the Museum’s permanent collection and allow visitors to learn about the process of creating art glass from molten form to finished product.

“Glass was one of Wheeling’s greatest industries and is at the core of the city’s contribution to the nation’s economy,” Museum director Christin Byrum said. “We are thrilled to bring the Hot Glass Roadshow to area schools to educate young people about this significant aspect of West Virginia history and to share the excitement of glassmaking.”

The Hot Glass Roadshow uses unique glassmaking equipment to recreate a studio environment. Housed in a 6 X 12 trailer, it will be equipped with a 20-pound propane-fired glass furnace and all the equipment and tools necessary to make a variety of art glass items.

Conducted as an assembly program, the Hot Glass Roadshow will serve an entire school in one day. Glassworkers will narrate the step-by-step process and students will choose the colors used in the creation of the pieces, which will be given to the school following the program. Teacher packets will be distributed in advance of the program with background information such as the historical significance of the glass industry, tools and equipment used in glass production and a glassmaking vocabulary list.

The Hot Glass Roadshow will be presented to nine elementary schools in Ohio County and three elementary schools in Marshall County during its first year in operation, reaching more than 3,000 students.

“For many schools, the cost of transportation is prohibitive for making field trips to the Glass Museum. This program enables us to bring our artisans directly to the schools, which furthers our educational mission to enhance the understanding and appreciation of this art form,” Byrum said.

She added that once established, this project will extend far beyond school programs, reaching out to several new audiences. Future venues for the Hot Glass Roadshow include colleges and universities, fairs and festivals, museums, civic events, after school programs, assisted living facilities and more.