The art of blowing glass has become an addiction for Dave Hilty.
The process of intricately molding 2,000-plus degree glass into various decorative vessels has been a part of the Oxford resident’s life for the last 27 years.
Now, he will be able to share his unique art form with the community, as his work will be on display at the Starkweather Art & Cultural Center in Romeo until April 27 to celebrate Michigan Glass Month.
The month of April was dedicated as Michigan Glass Month in 1981. The goal was to educate and promote public awareness of the varied kinds of glasses, their use in the industry, in the home and in art.
Titled ‘Baskets & Pots…Reflections in Glass,? Hilty’s exhibit will feature his beautiful works influenced by Native American basketwork and the bright colors of the southwest.
Hilty said he used these influences for his first exclusive exhibit to ‘express the energy and growth of natural forms reflected in trees, grasses and night skies.?
The 62-year-old became in tune with the southwest after living in Arizona for many years and visiting Pima Tribe reservations and Hohokam ruins.
He’d run across shards of ancient pottery basically everywhere he walked, saying that’s when he ‘fell in love? with the Native American styles.
A lot of the shapes he’s produced for his Starkweather exhibit echo Navahoe jars and Apache water-carrying baskets called a Tus.
To create the basket weave effect, Hilty either trails hot color onto the vessel by spinning the piece, or uses thin sections of glass cane that he rolls the vessel over.
‘I enjoy the challenge of defining pleasing shapes while using the flow of hot glass and expansion of the vessel to achieve spontaneous distortions of the surface decoration,? he said.
But for every finished vessel there are always what Hilty jokingly calls ‘floor models.? Many of Hilty’s works are the result of ‘a lot of effort and a lot of repeats,? he said.
Hilty has been creating his masterpieces at his barn studio at his home, known as Pine Lake Glassworks since 1997.
He and his assistant, Christina Sirakos, teach workshops and beginning glassblowing classes and have demonstrated their skills to local elementary students.
Hilty’s work is also for sale at Margot’s Gallery & Frame and at Great Lakes Mercantile. He will also have a booth at this year’s Celebrate Oxford.
The Starkweather Art & Cultural Center is located at 210 N. Main St. in Romeo. The gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
To check out more of Hilty’s work, visit www.pinelakeglass.com.