In Palo Alto High School’s glassblowing studio, a student places glass into a furnace and gathers the molten glass on the end of a blowpipe before spinning the glass and blowing it into a bubble. They then shape the bubble, producing a sleek, multicolored goblet by the end of the class period.
Paly’s fiery arts program — one of five in the nation — provides this experience to hundreds of students and community members every year. Over the past 23 years, the studio has become a haven for camaraderie and beautiful glasswork.
Due to its high-risk yet high-reward nature, glassblowing stands out as one of the most intricate art forms, former studio manager and Paly glassblowing alumnus Christopher Llewellyn said.
Unlike other art forms, glassblowing consists of a separation from the artist and their work because rather than touching it directly, they can only use tools to manipulate it.
As expected, glassblowing involves the risks of operating 2000-degree furnaces and handling molten glass, which can lead to potential cuts, burns and explosions. Students must wear safety goggles at all times, and even then, their projects still sometimes explode.
On top of that, students only have a limited time to shape the glass before it starts cooling. Once Paly’s glassblowing students start a project, they must finish it by the end of the period.
“Glass is alive,” Llewellyn said. “It’s always moving. It’s always affected by gravity. You don’t really have the time to sit with it and look at it and think about it. You have to act immediately.”
Behind the program is David Camner, who was Paly’s ceramic sculpture teacher in 2000. After taking a group of students to a weekend glassblowing workshop in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the students loved it so much that he planned to go every year. But after the studio doubled the fee, Camner talked to Paly’s principal — Fred Dreier, at the time — who agreed to buy an electric glass furnace. Since then, Paly’s glassblowing program has flourished.
Camner cherishes the companionship the program fosters: the collaborative teamwork during projects and the mentoring among older peers. Because there are so many variables to plan, concentration and communication are crucial, Camner said.
“[Glassblowing] is like dancing,” Camner said. “Blowing glass is a very physical act … you have to choreograph what you’re making. It can teach incredible life lessons on working with others to get something done.”
Paly students usually work in pairs, but more complex projects require up to five people. Paly junior Brian Barret, for instance, met some of his lifelong friends through glassblowing.
“Glassblowing is a team effort,” Barret said. “It takes two people working together to create something beautiful. [Glassblowing] thrives when there’s collaboration, trust and shared passion.”
The program primarily runs off money made from seasonal glass sales organized by the Paly Fiery Arts Boosters Club. Paly instructors, students and alumni contribute pieces for sale, which range from pumpkins to vases to reindeers. Last fall, the program hosted its inaugural silent auction, featuring works by renowned artists. The program and featured artists then shared the proceeds.
The seasonal glass sales also partially fund the David Camner Scholarship, which the school rewards annually to seniors who demonstrate commitment to the program.
As part of its fundraising efforts and community-building initiatives, the program also offers a two-day weekend intensive every month, totaling 12 hours at $500 per person. Attendees include a diverse range of individuals — from doctors and lawyers to designers and tourists from Scotland. Participants come home with fundamental glassworking skills and their own glass projects: a flower, paperweight and cup.
Llewellyn credits Paly’s glassblowing program for significantly impacting his life and career. Beyond “learning how to learn,” glassblowing introduced him to the value of personal expression, work ethic and communication methods.
“[Glassblowing] is a way for me to bring myself into my body,” said Llewellyn. “You have to be present. It’s a language that connects you to a community of people all around the world.”
