Chicopee Glass Artist Featured in #1 of Top 10 Art Fairs in U.S.
Joe Peters is a professional artist. At age 24, he is also a graduate of Chicopee High School (2002) and will shortly receive his degree in Fine Art from Holyoke Community College. This May, Peters will display his art forms at the Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton, where he is one of the youngest artists in what has become the #1 of the top 10 arts fairs in the country.
Technically in the genre of glass art, Peters’ work is more specific to create his one-of-a-kind pieces. The work is far from easy, as each subject is hand blown and heated to 1500 degrees. “When I start a piece, I have something in mind, but I’m never quite sure exactly what the result will be. There are no second chances,” said Peters.
Spotlight: You are perhaps one of the youngest artists showcased at Paradise City. Why did you decide to submit your work to the jury? How do you feel now that you have been selected?
Peters: This will be my 10th Paradise City show. I applied on the advice of Don Muller shortly after I was accepted to his gallery. I got into the show and have been excited to participate in every show since.
Spotlight: Your art genre is in glass. The subject matter is whimsical or in the shape of animal. What do you call your art form? What inspires you to determine what the outcome of each piece will be?
Peters: The art form is called lampworking or flameworking. I’m inspired by animals and nature, primarily. I lived in Honduras for a few months and did scuba diving which really motivated the underwater theme. Cartooning/doodling was always my style and whimsical just comes naturally to me. I always want my work to make people smile.
Spotlight: What is your work process? Heated and blown glass? How would you say your work is unique?
Peters: It’s called flameworking which is glassblowing with a torch rather than a furnace. I heat solid glass rods and hollow glass tubing, then blow, stretch and manipulate the sculptures with a variety of tools. The chemicals in the glass and the temperature of the flame determine the final colors, so each piece is kind of a surprise, and that makes it unique.
Technically in the genre of glass art, Peters’ work is more specific to create his one-of-a-kind pieces. The work is far from easy, as each subject is hand blown and heated to 1500 degrees. “When I start a piece, I have something in mind, but I’m never quite sure exactly what the result will be. There are no second chances,” said Peters.Spotlight: You are perhaps one of the youngest artists showcased at Paradise City. Why did you decide to submit your work to the jury? How do you feel now that you have been selected?
Peters: This will be my 10th Paradise City show. I applied on the advice of Don Muller shortly after I was accepted to his gallery. I got into the show and have been excited to participate in every show since.
Spotlight: Your art genre is in glass. The subject matter is whimsical or in the shape of animal. What do you call your art form? What inspires you to determine what the outcome of each piece will be?
Peters: The art form is called lampworking or flameworking. I’m inspired by animals and nature, primarily. I lived in Honduras for a few months and did scuba diving which really motivated the underwater theme. Cartooning/doodling was always my style and whimsical just comes naturally to me. I always want my work to make people smile.
Spotlight: What is your work process? Heated and blown glass? How would you say your work is unique?
Peters: It’s called flameworking which is glassblowing with a torch rather than a furnace. I heat solid glass rods and hollow glass tubing, then blow, stretch and manipulate the sculptures with a variety of tools. The chemicals in the glass and the temperature of the flame determine the final colors, so each piece is kind of a surprise, and that makes it unique.
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