By Tanith L. Balaban
Arizona Daily Wildcat
April 9, 1998

Gallery of Glass

When you walk into the little hideaway Philabaum Gallery, you are greeted by the glint of muti-colored glass. The exhibit running there through April 25 is called Deep Relief, and it features intricately carved work by 10 artists.

The exhibit contains paperweights, picture frames, vases, oil lamps, sculptures, candlesticks, jewelry, marbles, glasses, goblets, ornaments, plates, perfume bottles and more. It is entirely possible to spend a whole afternoon looking at the different pieces on display. The signs placed around the gallery reading "Please Refrain From Touching" are initially hard to obey, but when you notice the hefty price tags (one vase was selling for $2,500), keeping your hands to yourself becomes much easier.

One piece, by Debra May, is a beautiful vase in teal and purple, with carved columns and scrolls. But for intricate work, Barry Saunter's is the best in the gallery. One of his works is a paperweight titled "Triple Poinsettia." The paperweight would fit comfortably in a closed fist, yet despite the small size, the delicate red poinsettias are perfectly detailed. Each vein of the leaves is visible, each edge rippled just like a real flower.

Tom Philabaum has been in the glass business for over 20 years. He features his work at the gallery, and each year shows it in four exhibits that are collaborations with over 50 other glass artists. His pieces, which are created at the studio in the back of the gallery, are distinctly beautiful. One vase looks like lattice-work, complete with holes in between taffy-pulled clear and amethyst glass.

Anyone can go back and watch glass art being made, and when I visited the studio, there were three people making glass art. The room, filled with reggae music at the time, is composed of corrugated aluminum sheets, and one wall is taken up by five kilns to heat the glass.

The artists heat up glass on the end of a metal pole and shape it with water-soaked wood, cloth, metal instruments and even the metal tables. The glass starts off looking like a mushy jellybean, but after many shapings and re-heatings in the kiln, there is suddenly a vase, or a paperweight, in its place. The whole process is reminiscent of an exquisitely orchestrated dance, using poles and hot glass in a symphony of craftsmanship and art.

The studio is also part of the gallery: behind the seating area is a display of vases glassware, plates and sculptures.

The Philabaum Gallery offers summer classes where students learn how to make glass pieces. Instructors teach the fundamental skills involved in glass work and supply all equipment and supplies. All you need is comfortable cotton clothes, sunglasses and a water bottle. Classes are offered from May 25-29 and June 1-5.

For more information on classes or gallery hours, call the Philabaum Glass Gallery and Studio at 884-7404.