A Passion in Glass

For centuries, glassblowing was shrouded in prestige and mystery. Known as masters of the craft, Venetian glass blowers were isolated on the island of Murano in an attempt to keep their trade secrets safe. They faced severe consequences, including death, for sharing their techniques. 

Artists from around the world have since reclaimed the art form, rediscovering old techniques and forging new ones of their own. Oklahoman artist Chris McGahan, and Janet Duvall, director of the Tulsa Glassblowing School (TGS), are passionate about preserving the centuries-old craft.  

“Anything that you can imagine, you can make out of glass,” says Duvall. “You just have to have the skill for it.” 

Glassblowing originated in Syria in the 1st century B.C. The art form quickly became a booming industry for many countries, yielding thousands of hand blown goods like vases, platters and sculptures. 

Examples of glassblowing can still be found just about everywhere. 

“Anytime you see a glass bowl or ornament, all those started with the same kind of clear glass and a small bubble,” explains Duvall. 

To shape and mold glass into intricate designs, extreme temperatures are required. Glassblowers use furnaces to heat batches of glass to above 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit. McGahan shares that getting used to the heat comes with time and recommends wearing long pants and close-toed shoes. 

First, beginners learn how to gather molten glass out of a furnace with a long, steel pipe. Duvall compares gathering molten glass to working with honey. 

“You’ve got to keep it hot… so it’s still malleable, and you can make it do what you want,” she explains.

Molten glass can be shaped by blowing air through a blowpipe, manipulating it with pliers or rolling it across a flat surface. Glassblowers can also layer in different materials to add color to their designs. When the glass begins to dip in temperature, it must be placed in a kiln or annealing oven, where it slowly cools over 14 hours. 

The end results can be surprising. 

“Not every piece turns out exactly like you envisioned it,” says Duvall, “but it’s still beautiful when it’s done.” 

The beauty and exclusivity of glassblowing is what first piqued McGahan’s interest in 2004. 

“I owned a restaurant for 19 years… and I wanted to create my own pendant lights that hung over the booths,” he shares. 

He took lessons at a nearby studio and gained experience as an apprentice. Eventually, he purchased a used furnace, which he installed in his backyard. His love for glassblowing has evolved into a thriving career; he now runs Bella Forte Glass Studios in Oklahoma City, and his creations are on display at the Myriad Botanical Gardens and the Will Rogers International Airport. 

In 2009, he developed his signature technique, ‘redento raffinato,’ which translates to ‘redeemed elegance’ in Italian. The technique capitalizes on reviving broken glass pieces that would otherwise be scrapped. 

“I’m saving these pieces from the ultimate demise in the city dump and making something beautiful out of them,” he explains. 

McGahan has been commissioned by the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Kristin Chenoweth and James Langford. He has also created vases for the Thrive American Foundation Inaugural Gala in Washington D.C.  

“If I could’ve foreseen where I would be going with glassblowing, I would’ve been amazed,” he says. 

Novices don’t need to invest thousands of dollars into equipment to get started in glassblowing. Many studios, including TGS and Bella Forte Glass, are making the craft accessible to the public. 

At Bella Forte, beginners can enroll in workshops to create Christmas ornaments, paperweights and glass flowers. The studio welcomes both individual learners and groups. 

“We’ve had 11- and 12-year-olds take classes with their parents, and even 80-year-old seniors come in,” says McGahan. 

TGS is also engaging learners of all backgrounds since relocating to a new facility in McClure Park. 

“It’s been a really nice transition for us,” says Duvall. “It has allowed us to expand our programming substantially and our outreach, not only in the Tulsa and northeast domain, but throughout the country.” 

TGS is a nonprofit organization and an open-access studio. Anyone interested in learning about glassblowing can take lessons. After demonstrating a level of experience, learners can then rent the studio for their own personal use. The nonprofit also offers free lessons to veterans and first responders. 

“[Our classes] give them a sense of community and hope,” Duvall says. 

TGS will soon host its fourth annual series of summer workshops, which bring renowned artists from around the world to Tulsa. For one week, they’ll lead workshops at TGS and share their techniques. This year’s instructors include Shelley Muzylowski-Allen and Granite Calimpong. 

During regular business hours, visitors are welcome to drop into the studio to observe. 

“There are a lot of life lessons that you get out of glassblowing,” says Duvall. “It’s rewarding to know that we’ve helped [our students] find a path that they may not have found otherwise. You just never know who’s going to find a passion in glass.”