Creativity Day at the Hot Shops Apr 25, 2017 | News This year’s Creativity Day was held at the Hot Shops Art Center—“Home of All That Is Molten!” There are four anchor studios that make up the heart of the Hot Shops. Each of these shops deals in various fiery disciplines to shape their artistic expressions, which require thousands of degrees to create. We experienced two of the studios that put the “hot” in Hot Shops: the Crystal Forge and Hot Shops Pottery. Ed Fennell [creator of our baptismal bowl] and Tim Barry [creator of our communion pieces] led us in glass and pottery experiences. At the Crystal Forge, we watched a glass demonstration by Ed, and then everyone had the opportunity to participate in making their own paperweight. Fortunately, Ed did the heating and gathering, and we were at the bench shaping and manipulating the glass. Plus, we got to experience what it is like to be in front of the glass furnace [extremely hot!]. At Hot Shops Pottery, Tim spoke to us about the art of pottery as he produced several pieces on the wheel. Then we had the opportunity to decorate wheel-thrown mugs Tim had made for us. We added handles and a variety of designs to our mugs. As soon as these are fired, glazed, and fired again, we will see how our masterpieces turned out. The spiritual life of our church is enhanced through the arts, and through events such as this. We had the opportunity to explore and encourage our artistic side, enjoy fellowship, and create a little mess!
