A visit to Museum of Glass gives viewers the chance to see creativity expressed in art every day in the Hot Shop. Now the Museum is bringing that same magic and inspiration to Puyallup’s Stewart Elementary School and the associated Karshner Museum and Center for Culture and Arts via the Mobile Hot Shop. This fully equipped glassblowing studio, inside a brightly painted box truck, will be at the school on Thursday, October 18 and make it easy for the students, faculty, and families to experience the transformation of molten glass into works of art. The demonstration will begin at 9am and run through the noon hour. The glassblowers will return from 4-6pm to continue their demonstration as part of the Día de la Raza Culture and Arts Festival at the Museum, planned in honor of Hispanic Heritage month.
The Mobile Hot Shop arrives complete with two glass artists, an emcee, and all the glassmaking equipment to recreate the glassblowing studio environment. These talented glass artists use the tools on board to create and captivate, with each move narrated by a skilled and knowledgeable emcee. Techniques are explained, questions are answered, and the audience has a chance to engage with the live glassmaking process. All of this occurs outdoors, under a very large tent with a full AV system broadcasting the show.
Schools are a particularly popular destination for the Mobile Hot Shop as the concepts introduced stimulate curiosity and encourage exploration of new ideas and problem solving. When working with schools, lesson plans are developed and shared in advance of the Mobile Hot Shop’s arrival. These include learnings on the characteristics of glass, and how its properties make it possible for molten glass to be blown and shaped. This background helps the students begin thinking of what they might want to see brought to life when the Mobile Hot Shop arrives at their school.
A schedule of activities taking place on Thursday, October 18 includes:
Mobile Hot Shop glassblowing demonstrations – 9am-12pm and 4-6pm
The Karshner Center Kids Club – 2-6pm – Kids can earn stamps and prizes!
Students may sign up for free, receive a membership badge, a passport and a monthly newsletter filled with activities and projects. Complete activities to earn stamps and prizes. Students develop and practice research skills as they explore primary sources including artifacts, photographs, maps, culture, art & documents.
A performance by Los Flacos from 6-7 pm.
Los Flacos performs a blend of the spiciest traditional sounds of Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. Using a variety of instruments, some indigenous to the Americas and others of European and African origin, they create their own renditions of the songs of Latin America.
About Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts: The Karshner Museum and Center for Culture & Arts is a teaching museum owned and operated by the Puyallup School District. It was founded in 1930 by Dr. and Mrs. Warner Karshner as a lasting memorial for their son Paul. Today, the Karshner Center attracts visitors from across the state of Washington to its exhibits, festivals, professional development, art shows & special events. Additionally, field trips for every grade level are offered on topics from science to history and cultures, with an average participation of 500 students each week.
For the last four years, the Karshner Center has been hosting free community events that feature diverse performances, art, hands-on activities, dialog, and speakers. The focus of these events is to celebrate and share the art and traditions of various cultures within the community, and to provide all members of the community the opportunity to participate and engage in the arts. All events are free to the public.
– Museum of Glass
