Best Glass Community Poll !!!

[bzzzred]

Just was curious as to where you people think is the best place to live in the country to be part of a glass community. I am looking for schools around the country and would like to move somewhere that there is a lot of glassblowers and people that I could learn from. I was gonna go up to Portland OR in a couple weeks and was wondering if there was anyone out there who knows where I can check some cool stuff out and maybe meet some people at a shop or someting. I am going to be staying with my friend that Goes to PNCA. I am from Rockland NY.
Thanks,
Chris

[CoyleCondenser]

Chris,
check out salem community college for scientific glassblowing (http://www.salemcc.edu/glass/index.htm) youll learn all sorts of technical seals and how to use a lathe, ontop of that the everybody there is willing to show you any art stuff that theyre working on. the only down side is the school is in a shitty area but you get so much free torch time that it doesnt matter, also wheaton village is an hour away and philly is 30 min away.....plus you walk away with an associates degree.
-DC-

[bzzzred]

Yea I was Checking into that a while ago, but I haven't talked to anyone yet that graduated from there and is doing glassblowing now. Do u know of any?

[Chase Designs]

Ali VandeGrift goes to school there now and I am pretty sure she knows at least one person who has graduated from there and is blowing now.

http://web.mac.com/aliveglass/iWeb/AlivE%20Lampwork/Welcome.html

[CoyleCondenser]

I have graduated from there and I am working full time at Aldrich Chemical, I have my home studio for any art stuff i want to do.... I know there are more people on this forum who have graduated from there too...

[mer]

eugene has a huge glass community. if you are checking portland you should hit eugene too, we're only two hours south.
peace, m

[glasspapi]

I live in portland and it has a few perks.

Bullseye glass is located here. They have a store location for classes and buying raw material. They also seem to be constantly looking for people to work at their warehouse location.

Uroboros is here too.

Glass Alchemy is here and you can buy their glass directly including their occassionals. You can also get tips on how to work the color depending on who is there.

Northstar is here too in tigard but I dont think they sell directly but they do have their annual bbq thing.

In my opinion there is a pretty huge glass community in the metro area...fusers, stain glasser, hotshopers, lampworkers, and all inbetween.

There are quite a few galleries in the metro area including a whole district downtown, The Pearl, that has galleries up the ass. There are also numerous "art festivals" whether they be more crafty to fine art. Some are only once a year while others are monthly. We also have a Saturday Market which you can only sell "hand made" products. It runs Saturday and Sunday March-Dec.

Portland is very art orientated. I meet a lot of artists of all mediums and draw upon them for inspiration. I do meet a lot of glass artists here. Dont forget Seattle is just up the way with a few cities inbetween with some excellent glass artists. Thats Portland from a glass percpective

[mistahead]

i heard tuktiucktuc in the northwest territorries has a pretty booming glass scene as well, i wouldnt even bother checking it out first, just show up and check it out for your self!!