This week Paly students will have the opportunity to work with and observe two world-class artists in studio glass.
Tom Philabaum and Fritz Dreisbach, both of whom are considered pioneers in studio glass, will be on the Paly campus Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

In addition to studio demonstrations by the guest artists, the Norseman Gallery is housing an exhibit and sale of some of Philabaum’s and Dreisbach’s pieces. The studio will be open to the public during lunch every day this week and on Wednesday after school. Half of all proceeds will go directly to the Paly glass blowing program.

“The idea is to sell some of their work and to demonstrate their expertise for kids in the [Paly glass blowing] program and for the public,” David Camner, who teaches advanced and beginning ceramics and sculpture classes at Paly and organized the show, said.

Both Philabaum, whose work is exhibited in galleries throughout North America, Europe, and Mexico, and Dreisbach, who has lectured in over 100 institutions worldwide, including the Rhode Island School of Design, will be give studio demonstrations Wednesday morning during first and third periods. They will return that evening from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to continue their public demos.

“We are also hoping to raise a good amount of money with the show,” Camner said.

Camner is hoping that the show will bring in enough money to purchase a new workbench and glory hole for the studio. Right now, the Paly glass studio boasts two workstations and is one of the only high school glass studios in the nation.

Stop by the glass studio Wednesday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to watch the artists in action or step into the Norseman gallery during lunch this week to see the Philabaum and Dreisbach exhibit.