By Melissa Gessner
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
The sun strikes the sweat beading on Tim McFadden’s forehead as he molds and blows glass in the McFadden Art Glass studio. He’s creating another glass piece to gleam in the gallery that sits in front of the studio.
“I would consider art glass to be anything blown, sculpted, arranged, or cast out of glass created by an artist,” said McFadden, a glass blower since 2001. “It can range from figurative sculptural works, to ornate functional objects, to elaborate stained glass.”
He opened the McFadden Art Glass gallery and studio in southeast Baltimore after winning first place and $5,000 through Salisbury’s Annual Bernstein Business Plan Competition in 2005.
“Over the past 12 years, word of mouth and Facebook have been huge in helping to spread the word and drive new customers to come see and participate in what we think is a pretty dynamic and exciting art form,” McFadden said.
The concept of the studio is to teach anyone this ancient art form by showing them through first-hand experience to appreciate glass and create something of their own, McFadden said. McFadden and his workers assure every beginner that glass blowing and using a 2300 Fahrenheit oven is easier, and “funner,” than one may think.
“We try to take a material as inherently dangerous as molten glass and break it down in an approachable way to offer hands on workshops and demonstrations in a less intimidating setting,” McFadden said.
Some have this misconception that breathing in instead of blowing through the pipe will burn their lungs, McFadden said. But that’s not the case. If anything, it will just collapse the piece.
Victoria Kreul, who has known of Tim McFadden and his studio since 2011, is a frequent gallery and studio visitor. She first attended one of McFadden’s workshops when his studio was still new. Eight years later, she has purchased three pieces, the most recent being a glass dolphin memorial for her mother.
“Tim’s just a really down to earth person,” Kreul said. “You can’t do it at many places. It’s unique.”
Julian Haarstad began working at the studio about four years ago. He said the staff is so close that they regularly share with each other through a group text chat.
“We’re all very close,” Haarstad said. “Definitely a family feel at the studio. This is better than any other job I’ve ever had.”
David Zimmerman has worked with glass for 15 years and at the studio for the last three years.
As Zimmerman tossed glass shards into a bucket, he said it takes both time and practice to truly master the art of glassblowing.
“It takes a few years to get your pieces to come out clean,” Zimmerman said. “Your first couple of pieces may come out wonky in the beginning of your practice.”
But the time is worth it, Zimmerman said: “It is such a mesmerizing and addicting material to play with.”