Artists plant gardens of glass at West Bloomfield Township exhibit

23rd Mar 2011 @ 9:36 AM

BRANDY BAKER
The Detroit News

Hands clasping a chartreuse mushroom, glassmaker Michelle Plucinsky recalls weekly walks in a sun-dappled Ann Arbor park. "The sun through the tree — glass is like that," she says, smoothing the fungus's rough edges on a diamond wheel grinder. "I don't live in the forest. I make my own forest here."

"Here" is Furnace Design Studio, a former tool and die shop on an industrial backstreet in Dearborn, where Plucinsky and husband/co-owner Chris Nordin, along with their posse of glass-blowing artists, whip up luminous creations. Twenty-five new works designed by the couple will debut at the first-ever Botanical Glass Exhibition, Friday through Tuesday at Planterra Conservatory in West Bloomfield Township.

A driving passion and respect for nature inspired Plucinsky, 43, and Nordin, 42, whose studio works on mostly commercial projects, to craft gardens of glass — blooms, mushrooms, reeds and cacti — for the show that pairs their crystalline flora with living exotic botanicals. According to Plucinsky, the goal is "taking what is found in nature that is so beautiful and immortalizing it in glass."

Planterra President Shane Pliska heads a commercial horticultural design business and shares a love of the natural world. "This glasswork embodies the human romance for nature. It's a bloom that does not die," says Pliska of the Furnace artists' contribution to the exhibit.

The dazzling display tucks Dr. Seussian-glass mushrooms and Venetian flowers amid the lush orchids, succulents and palm trees in Planterra's de facto botanical garden, which functions as the company's retail arm. "We hope to get people to start thinking about spring," Pliska says.

Plucinsky and Nordin met in 1990 in the glass shop at Detroit's College for Creative Studies, founded their company in 1991 and married in 1998. Plucinsky honed her skills as a manager at Greenfield Village's glass shop for eight years while Nordin traveled to Italy's Murano Island to study with the masters. "It's more about being inspired by the thousands of years of glassblowing culture," says Nordin of his Venetian training.

The couple are drawn to the collaborative nature of glassmaking, Nordin likening it to a sport such as hockey, which he plays. Often the creation of a solitary piece requires teams of glassmakers working in tandem, which makes the payoff sweeter to Plucinsky: "It's not a solitary moment. Everyone's in on it. It's like a tornado of good vibe."

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3rd Feb 2011 @ 9:07 PM

Glass Pumpkins featured in the Detroit News

25th Oct 2010 @ 10:15 AM

"Glassblower Grant Mayberry crafts a transparent orange pumpkin on site Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, for a visitor at the 2nd Annual GLASS Pumpkin Fest at the Glass Academy in Dearborn, Mich. Eight glassblowers produced a collection of 500 unique pumpkins for the two-day fall spectacle that ended Sunday and featured an indoor pumpkin patch, cider and live demonstrations."

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Dearborn Public High School Scholarship Winners show off their talents on May 15, 2010

19th Jun 2010 @ 9:35 PM

Dearborn students to receive scholarship awards

Dearborn, Mich. (May 4, 2010) - This past December Furnace Design Studio and the Glass Academy donated 18 art glass scholarships for students in the Dearborn public schools.  Valued at $1500, students from Edsel Ford, Dearborn, Michael Berry, and Fordson High Schools will be using their creative talents in the glass arts, at the Glass Academy May 15th from 10-2.  “This is a unique opportunity for Art students to sample classes that compliment what they have learned here in the Dearborn schools,” emphasizes Wendy Sample, the Art coordinator for the Dearborn schools.  “We are looking forward to expanding the students’ skill base working with different applications of glass here at the school.”

Six students will be taught the beginning basics of the art of glassblowing by co-owner and master glassblower Chris Nordin, while another group of 6 will enjoy learning beadmaking techniques, which involves hot glass shaped over a torch, taught by Bill McMurtry, a Glass Academy Alumni.  Tom Newton, a Dearborn resident that was apprenticed trained in Detroit in the art of stained glass, will be instructing the final 6 students.  “We are going to look at a 1,000 year old art.  A lot of techniques remain the same with some improvements in tools and materials,” explains Tom.  “We will be designing with light and dealing with color.”  Tom has been working with stained glass since 1964 and has over 45 years of experience.  He is skilled in design, fabrication, installation, repairs, and restoration.

“This is a perfect opportunity for high school aged students to expand their talents and learn new skills from specially trained, professional artists,” states Lisa Neitzer, Glass Academy Operations and Planning Manager.  “Classes at the Glass Academy are geared toward adults so it will be nice to have teenagers getting involved in the arts,” says Lisa.

Wendy Sample comments, “A professor and mentor of mine used to say, "Artists and scientists dance on the edge of magic".  (Edward Jacomo)  Artists and scientist are the creative problem solvers of the world...they are always asking -What if...we try this, or What if...we took this and moved it to here...or What will happen if we add a little more of this.....and so on.”  This is a great chance for Dearborn students to broaden their horizons beyond the classroom.  Be sure to visit the website after May 15th, as we will post photos of the event after the class for your enjoyment.

Glass Academy featured in Metro Times: Rags to Riches – Sick of hearing ‘buy local’? Too bad.

19th Mar 2010 @ 5:16 PM

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Made in Detroit includes handmade glass art and valuable techniques

19th Mar 2010 @ 12:03 PM

Many facets of the economy have been fragile this year, but the creativity and stamina of Detroit artisans were on glittering display this week.
Dearborn featured the Holiday Glass Art & Ornament Extravaganza on December 5th and 6th when The Glass Academy hosted a free workshop at its Trowbridge location. A veritable rainbow of glass balls, tree toppers, candy canes and icicles found appreciative shoppers at the event. Elegant Made in Detroit vases, dishes and household collectibles ranging from $10 to several thousand rounded out a prominent display of local goods…

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By: Wendy Clem

Model D Media Features FURNACE Design Studio

19th Mar 2010 @ 10:41 AM

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