Vetro Glass Blowing Studio and Gallery
Vibrantly colored glass artwork lines the inside walls of the VETRO Glass Blowing Studio and Gallery. Most of the pieces look as though they should be kept in a high-end gallery in Dallas or sold at Macy’s.
“All of our pieces are one-of-a-kind,” Gary Hayes, Vetro artist, said. “We couldn’t duplicate these if we wanted to. That is what makes us different. We are not an assembly line duplicating the same design over and over.”
The shelves inside the studio harbor everything from necklace pendants to vases whose stature is astounding. This year, Vetro created 17 jewel-toned wine goblets that will be the center point of the 17th Annual GrapeFest. All 17 pieces will be offered for sale at the Vintner’s Auction on Friday evening, September 11, at the Lancaster Theatre. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Heritage Foundation. The goblets that Vetro artists, Gary Hayes and David Gappa created were made in pairs that compliment each other.
“The goblets are one of the hardest pieces to make,” Gappa said. “It is both technically and aesthetically challenging because they are very delicate.”
The Dynamic Artistic Duo is hoping to start a new chapter in their lives. They want to start concentrating on creating large-scale pieces. A chandelier that was built at the Vetro studio was on display at the Alpine Gallery in Fort Worth and is now for sale to the public. One-third of their business is custom pieces requested by clients.
Vetro offers several classes and has an open door policy. They invite the public to come during their business hours and watch them work and create.
“Understanding the process gives people a better appreciation of the pieces,” Hayes said.
The artists built all the equipment and kilns. Each colorful piece of artwork is initially heated in a flame more that 2000 degrees and then molded. While creating a paperweight an assistant, Travis Reid, used sheets from the New York Times to help mold his piece.
“The New York Times is the only paper that doesn’t leave paper on the glass,” Gappa stated.
Gappa has a background in architecture. While studying at the University of Texas at Arlington he decided to take some glassblowing classes to relieve him of strenuous architecture classes. He immediately found his passion for a new medium.
Hayes came from an artistic background having worked with glass foe 25 years. “I started with stain glass and beveled glass. You name it, I worked with it.”
The two artists met five years ago at Grapevine’s Main Street Days and have been working together ever since.
“David and I collaborate on all the designs,” Hayes said. “When we collaborate the art goes to the next level.” For information on hours, classes or to understand more fully how the glassblowing process takes place, call 817-251-1668 or log onto Vetro’s website . Vetro Glassblowing Studio and Gallery is located at 334 S. Barton St., Studio 98 in historic Grapevine.
August 2003