Looking for an activity that will blow kids’ minds? Try taking in the art of glassblowing at one of the numerous studios around San Antonio.
What you’ll see is a mix of art and science, and it’s fascinating. My son was entranced from the moment we sat down at our first demonstration, his eyes wide as he watched the artists working with the orange ball of molten glass, transforming it into a vase. He didn’t move an inch. And then he had a million questions, all of which the artists answered.
I know what you’re thinking: Take a kid into a place with delicate glass art on display AND glowing heat that is more than 2000°F?! Are you crazy?!? Perhaps. So I’ll tell you, we didn’t try this until my son was old enough to respect the rules and understand what we were seeing. Now he’s hooked.
Kids love to see how things are made. Seeing how pieces and parts come together to create something they know/use makes the gears in their little minds spin and whirl, and I love seeing that. And I love seeing glassblowing, too, so it’s win-win.
A few things to know before you go:
- All studios are working studios. There are flames, furnaces, blow torches, and a lot of heat. And a lot of very fragile glass. As awesome as it is to see, don’t take children who are too young to understand the dangers and rules.
- Adults need to follow the rules, too. We can be as bad as kids about not following directions, even though we too can get hurt.
- Studios don’t always have demonstrations going on. Check websites and Facebook pages to be sure that they’ll be working when you visit.
- If you like what you see, consider buying a piece. Whether it’s a Christmas ornament, paperweight, vase, or something entirely different, your child will always have a cool memory of his/her experience there.
I’ve written before about exposing kids to art, and one of the best things about our vibrant city is the number of opportunities to see all sorts of art. From fantastic public art in all parts of town to world-class museums, we really are spoiled. So when you have the chance to see artists at work, do it! And hint: if you don’t think the kids are ready for it, a trip to see a studio is a fun outing with friends or a day date.
Where to see, experience, and appreciate the art of blowing glass:
Caliente Hot Glass
As much as we’ve loved all of our glassblowing excursions, I have to say that our favorite is Caliente Hot Glass. Tucked into an industrial warehouse on Hackberry just north of downtown, Caliente features a variety of area artists and styles. The work is serious, but they like to play, including celebrating whenever a train passes by on the nearby train tracks. You’ll have fun throwing your hands in the air to salute the train, and your kids will love it when the conductor waves back.
We’ve also had the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations with the Caliente crew, sitting on bleachers in their hot shop—what the “studio” is called when you’re doing glasswork. Imagine hot glass being stretched 15 feet across the studio until a fine thread of glass is hanging in the air, and then watching as it is tied into a bow, which ultimately breaks the thread. It’s incredibly cool, especially since they talk through the science as they do the demo.
Caliente has regular studio hours, but does not always feature demos. Follow their event page on Facebook to see when demonstrations are scheduled. You can also take classes to design and create a piece of glass art with the experts’ help. It’s on my bucket list, but I might have to wait until my son is old enough to do it with me.
If you’d like an opportunity to see Caliente’s work and support the community, put Empty Bowls on your to-do list. Caliente is an active supporter of the annual SAMMinistries fundraiser that raises funds to help those struggling with homelessness in our community. The 2019 event was in March, but it will be back at the Southwest School of Art on March 1, 2020.
Garcia Art Glass
A local studio that grew from the talent of artist Gini Garcia, Garcia Art Glass is the talent behind installations that are literally around the world. You’ll be amazed by the art and function created with dizzying talent paired with the aid of a 2200-degree furnace. Specializing in the functional to the whimsical, the studio’s collection of one-of-a-kind, hand-blown art creations is mesmerizing. It’s easy to understand why founder and creative director Gini Garcia’s unique flair has garnered awards and accolades. Each piece is more fantastic than the next, with vases, platters, paperweights, and statues that defy description.
Watching the artisans craft pieces at Garcia, you gain a new appreciation for the sleek creations that come from the molten glass they’re working with. Make time to stop by, watch them craft, and then wonder at the pieces you can take home. We have a Garcia Art Glass ornament on our tree as a memento of our visit.
Garcia has regular studio hours and normally features demos. Their hours are available online, and you can book a guided demo with them. And be sure to follow Garcia on Facebook to learn about special events and sales.
Wimberly Glassworks
A short drive to San Marcos leads you to the largest of the nearby options to take in glassblowing. It’s a good side trip if you’re doing a San Marcos visit, a destination we enjoy exploring. (If you haven’t been, check out the glass-bottom boats and playscape!)
Wimberly Glassworks is a large, formal studio that features easy seating and a barrier between you and the glass heat, making it a safe option for littles. Even with the barrier, you feel the heat from the furnaces as you watch the artists display their talent. And their gallery space is stunning, filled with light that seems to dance off of their creations and windows filled with colorful glass and art pieces from paperweights to lighting. Even a walk outside includes glass art as pieces are suspended on the porch.
Demonstrations at Wimberly are held daily, but of course, always check hours and offerings online before you go. Note: they don’t offer demos on Mondays and Tuesdays. You can book classes (they’re sold out for the season) to take home a gorgeous piece. They even have a selection of jewelry created from glass shards that didn’t create a masterpiece but live on as unique earrings and pendants.
Now that we’ve enjoyed these demonstrations, we plan to explore more the next time we hit I-35N, stopping by Salado Glassworks to check out their work. Salado is a two-hour drive from San Antonio, so we’re going to add it on to another excursion.
So blow your kids’ minds—get out, support local artists, and enjoy the art and science of glassblowing.
