Classy, Glassy Art By Kirsten DeMonstoy
Glassworks is part of our region’s heritage and a Frenchman, who has opened a shop in the Finger Lakes region, can only add to our reputation.
Owner: Christian Thirion
Address: 215 South Madison Avenue, Watkins Glen, New York
Phone: (607) 535-0535
Web site: www.chthirion.com
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, May through November
Prices: $20 to $8,000
The History: Christian Thirion, originally from eastern France,
abandoned a career as a master pastry chef to pursue his longstanding
interest in glassblowing when he enrolled in a glassmaking course
at the University of California at Santa Barbara. After refining
his technique in Seattle, Thirion relocated to the Finger Lakes
region in 1992, where he established his studio in a former school
building. In July 2000, Thirion purchased the historical building
in which Glassart is currently housed, and opened the gallery
the following September. In 2001, Thirion moved his studio from
the school building to the gallery, where visitors just might
be able to view the artist hard at work. Thirion’s intriguing
biography and work have been featured in publications such as
American Style, The Crafts Report, and Teapots: Makers and Collectors.
The Denouement: Glassart will visually delight patrons with its
marvelous and provocative presentation. In a signature style that
can only reflect his conceptualization of color and aesthetics,
Glassart displays Thirion’s own “art glass”
creations, dazzling, psychedelic eye candy, in a variegated and
historically significant gallery. Thirion also displays the work
of other glass artists, creations that are equally sophisticated
and beautiful. Assiduously stoic and knowledgeable, Thirion unwearyingly
assists a steady stream of customers and gallery-goers, and is
quick to answer questions whose topics range from his place of
origin to the glassmaking trade to local history. “It seems
that I am somewhat of an anomaly around here,” Thirion says
of the questions that his French accent provokes.
GlassWares: Glassart features brilliantly colored, sophisticated
“art glass” creations, some of which include wearable
art-like necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, as well as intricate
glass-sculpted flowers, vases, teapots, plates, martini glasses,
salt and pepper shakers, lamps, and impressive chandeliers. Thirion
also consults with and sells to designers and architects around
the world, mainly with a focus on chandeliers. |
