Blown glass

Glass that has been formed or shaped by blowing air through a tube into a semi-molten mass of glass, it was pioneered as studio art in the United States by Englishman, John Burton. Dale Chihuly, born 1941, is credited with making blown glass of such unique design and quality that the medium has earned the description of fine art. In 1971, Chihuly, with financial support from Anne and John Hauberg, established Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington. It has become the largest educational center in the world for glass artists. Among students have been Nicholas Africano, Toots Zynsky, Hank Adams and Mary Shaffer. Sources: www.encarta.msn.com; http://pilchuck.com/about/about_main.shtml; AskART biographies