Our History
The original Glassworks Studio and Gallery was established in 1986 by glass artist Garth Mudge. Some of you will remember the original location on Moraine Ave next to the rock shop. In the early 90's, the shop moved to its current location at 323 West Elkhorn Avenue where the Estes Park Lumber yard was formerly located. Much of the shelving in the gallery was made from remnants left behind from the old saw mill.
Since its inception, Glassworks (now Patterson Glassworks Studio and Gallery) has been a place where people can watch live glassblowing, many for the first time. Additionally, Glassworks has been an artist incubator of sorts. Several professional glass artists have started their careers right here, including the current owner, Gerald Patterson, who was Garth's third apprentice. Jerry has worked at the studio since 1997 when he began work as a volunteer in the studio for two and a half years to "get his foot in the door". Jerry took ownership at the end of 2012, and the legacy continues as new family traditions are formed, and as people discover Glassblowing here at the studio.
About Glassblowing
The glass blowing process begins by gathering molten glass from a furnace onto a blow pipe. The temperature of the glass exceeds 2000 degrees Fahrenheit at this point. Color is then applied in a myriad of fashions. When the amount of glass is set and the colors have been manipulated to the artist’s satisfaction, a bubble is blown into the glass. The bubble is then coaxed into the desired form using a variety of tools (jacks, paddles, wet newspaper). Sometimes, the work involves two or more bubbles that are fused together in a process known as incalmo. Finally, the finished piece is placed into an annealing oven where it cools slowly at a controlled rate.
Techniques
GLASS BLOWING
Working with molten glass and forming into something special is an art form that is difficult to master. Starting with a gather of hot glass that has the consistency of honey and molding it into your desired finished product takes a lot of a lot of skill, patience, and determination. Some pieces you will see rolled in powdered or chipped pieces of colored glass that will create different patterns and colors. Sometimes the artist will incorporate canne or murrini into their blown glass piece, which creates different pattern and texture possibilities. Whether it's our master glassblower making a complicated piece, or an apprentice honing their skills in the studio, watching the artist at work is always educational and entertaining for all ages!
TORCHWORKING
At our gallery, we use different techniques to get our glass how we want it. One of the methods we use is torchwork, a type of glasswork where a torch that's fueled by a mixture of propane and oxygen is used to melt the glass. Once in a molten state, the glass piece is formed by blowing and shaping with tools and hand movements. It is also known as flameworking or lampworking, as the original practice once used oil-fueled lamps to heat the glass.
STAINED GLASS
If you loved stained glass, we have the finest! In our shop you will find hummingbirds, butterflies and bees that are made out of stained glass as well as beautiful window hangings. Adorn your home with something that catches the light!
FUSED GLASS
In our studio we also do fused glass. This gives us an opportunity to recycle some of our glass pieces that didn't work out or broke during production. First, we smash up the items and make new things out of the pieces. Then we put it through a fusing cycle in our oven which requires us to bring the glass slowly up to temperature, hold them there long enough to melt the glass together, then slowly cool the temperature down before they can be handled. You will find magnets, necklace pendants, pins, suncatchers and more fun items in our shop that are made this way. Sometimes you will even be able to see artists working at the counter making new fused glass art.
About Patterson Glassworks in Estes Park
Our Gallery
Our glass gallery is a favorite of locals and travelers alike. We have items that you will not find anywhere else, and pride ourselves in the quality and care that we put into our art.
Here you will find glasses and bowls that can be utilized as functional dishware or for decorative use. There are handblown glass ornaments and pumpkins, lampworked figurines, fused glass jewelry and magnets, and so much more.
Many of our visitors return year after year, some bring in their children and grandchildren to watch the glassblowing demonstrations on the very same benches they once sat on as a child. Come see us, you won't be disappointed!