Artist Walk - Hot Italian Glass

Stretch, twist and pull your very own colorful Venetian glass on this tour. Sitka was once known as the “Paris of the Pacific” and has a long history of cultivating fine arts. It was home to the first opera house and performing arts center on the west coast. From the performing arts to working with metal, glass, clay and painting - Sitka is known as the arts and educational center of the southeast region. During your tour you’ll experience this unique culture by visiting several fine art galleries in the downtown area, last of which is the Wild Arts Gallery and Glass Studio.

Here a local artist demonstrates how to pull a Venetian style glass cane in the studio and assist you as you twist, stretch, and pattern your own canes. Canework is the technique that Italian artists use to create intricate colors and patterns in their glass pieces. Learn more about the science side of glass working and how to manipulate hot molten glass in a very safe and exciting way. Tour may include a number of demonstrating artists including carving, painting and drum making. Galleries visited are all local Sitka artists.