Visit the Shelburne Falls studio of world renowned glass artist Josh Simpson. Enjoy a guided tour, discussions and glass blowing demonstrations with Josh and his “hot shop” team. Lunch is included followed by a visit to the Salmon Falls Artisan’s showroom in Shelburne Falls.
Guide: Jeanne Fontaine
Includes: tours, lunch, bus transportation and driver tip.
ITINERARY
Springfield Museums Travel/Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Josh Simpson’s Glass Studio & Artisan’s Studio Tour
8:45 am – Depart from the Museums’ State Street lot located across the street from the Springfield Main Library. Park in the lot and meet the bus at the curbside. We ask participants to arrive by 8:30 am.
10:15 am – Estimated arrival at Josh Simpson’s Studio in Shelburne Falls with one rest stop en route. Enjoy a guided tour of the studio with Josh and his crew, followed by a glassmaking demonstration and a Q & A session in the hotshop.
Simpson’s career began in 1972, when he was a senior at Hamilton College. At the time, seniors were permitted to pursue their own interests during the month of January, so he spent that period practicing glass blowing in Vermont. Simpson became so enamored of working with glass that a month became a year, and while he did return to Hamilton briefly to complete his psychology degree, he has been pursuing this passion ever since. He is particularly well known for his planets, glass paperweights ranging in size from about an inch in diameter to the 107-pound Megaplanet the Corning Museum of Glass commissioned in 2005
“Glass consists of sand and metallic oxides combined with extraordinary, blinding heat. The result is a material that flows like honey. When it’s hot, glass is alive. It moves gracefully and inexorably in response to gravity and centripetal force. It possesses an inner light and transcendent radiant heat that make it simultaneously one of the most rewarding and one of the most frustrating materials for an artist to work with. I try to coax and shape…the glass just wants to drip on the floor! Most of my work reflects a compromise between the molten material and me; each finished piece is a solidified moment when we both agree.” – Josh Simpson
Following the demonstration, join Josh and his team for a boxed lunch in the studio.
Lunch menu to be announced.
Depart after lunch for the Salmon Falls Gallery in nearby Shelburne Falls.
Visit the Salmon Falls Artisans Showroom – In the picturesque village of Shelburne Falls, the Salmon Falls Gallery represents over 100 local artists (including Josh Simpson’s work) with an incredible variety of jewelry, handmade furniture, wearable art and other unique, imaginative and beautiful creations.
There will be free time to explore and shop. Weather permitting, visit the Bridge of Flowers, other galleries and shops nearby on your own.
3 pm – Meet the bus at the designated location and depart for Springfield.
