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Afternoon Arts program allows student to pursue her passion |
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Sabrina Kennedy ’15 of Emmaus, Pa., a Hill School third form student, partakes in the unique art of glassblowing as part of The Hill School’s Afternoon Arts program, which offers students the opportunity to explore their passions outside of the classroom. Four days a week after classes, Sabrina perfects her art at the Taylor Backes studio in Boyertown, spending hours at a time with her work. She also hones her craft at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem.
When Sabrina expressed an interest in pursuing this art form as a part of the program, Ellen Nelson, chair of The Hill’s arts department, put Sabrina in contact with Will Dexter, parent of a former Hill student and owner of the Taylor Backes studio. According to Mrs. Nelson, by studying at a local studio Sabrina is provided with a “supportive learning environment for [her] burgeoning glassblowing skills.” She continues, “Not only has Will been incredibly receptive and helpful,” but the Afternoon Arts program and its affiliates have granted Sabrina the opportunity to pursue her art with The Hill’s full support.
Sabrina first became interested in glassblowing after reading the book Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village for a sixth-grade class where she presented on a medieval monologue, “The Glassblower.” She became further intrigued by the art form upon reading and conducting subsequent research online
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| A beautiful glass made by Sabrina |
The following summer, Sabrina evolved as an artist when she attended an art camp called “Glass Sampler” at the Banana Factory, where she worked primarily with making beads and fusing glass pieces. She made a few fused sun catchers and discovered she really enjoyed working with the material. The last day of class allowed her to sample glassblowing specifically, and after making a paperweight she signed up for the Factory’s second camp course, “Hot Glass.”
The second course allowed Sabrina to become more familiar with the techniques of glassblowing. She also had the opportunity to practice the art of “sand casting” where she would create impressions of objects in sand and pour molten glass in to cool, creating a mold in the shape of the former impression. Sabrina soon discovered she was most passionate about glassblowing and therefore has been concentrating on that art.
Sabrina admits the art form is a bit challenging when you’re first starting out, but notes that it’s very fun and you develop a feel for it. For the past two years she has volunteered at Musikfest in Bethlehem, where she’s offered live glassblowing demonstrations. She also assists artists working at the Banana Factory. Often, two artists will work together on one piece, as it’s very difficult to go through the steps of glassblowing alone. Sabrina notes, “Glassblowing is the art of teamwork,” and this collaboration and communication with another artist is an integral part of the form.
Sabrina definitely sees herself continuing to hone her glassblowing skills in the future. During her two years as an artist, she’s created beautiful, original pieces including bowls, vases, cups, flowers, and fish glass pieces. She has sold a few of her creations and has been commissioned to make vases. She finds the art to be “relaxing” and enjoys the opportunity to “express herself through glass and to make something that’s influenced by her outside life.”
This upcoming year, Sabrina will be a featured student-artist at the Dancing Tree Gallery in Boyertown for the months of July, August, and September 2012. Her glass creations will be for sale from that point forward at the gallery. |
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