Learn the Art of Glassblowing

The Hot Shop at the Coastal Arts Center in Orange Beach is the place to learn a new outlet in your creativity with resident artists, Kerry Parks and Dan Rush. They will teach you how to shape and sculpt molten glass into decorative art objects and functional pieces. 

The fascinating art of glassblowing involves fire, molten sand, a long blowpipe, and a multistep process. The technique dates back to the first century BC, and possibly to Sidon (now coastal Lebanon), where glassblowing is said to have been invented.

Glassblowing is still practiced today and involves mastering an array of complicated techniques. But most of all, glassblowers must be able to carry out each step with delicacy and precision. 

The Hot Shop artists are ready to share their passion with you. Work with molten glass and create a beautiful, one of a kind pieces of art. 

Appointments are required make your own fused/blow glass at The Hot Shop. Please call 251-981-ARTS (2787) to set up your creative outlet or to schedule a large group.

About the artists: 
Kerry Parks is originally from Canyon County, CA, but has been a resident of Gulf Shores since 1999. She has been an artist of many mediums for as long as she can remember, but began studying predominately glass in college. During her undergraduate degree, she explored glass blowing, kiln-formed glass, ladle pouring, glass casting, as well as implementing imagery into glass. Parks earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of South Alabama in 2014 and is currently a full-time glass artist and instructor for The Hot Shop. 

Dan Rush has had a lifelong interest in art and creativity. About 15 years ago, he began to learn lamp working and torch work to make glass beads. In 2011, he was given a gift of a glass blowing lesson and was captivated. Dan is now a full-time glass blower in The Hot Shop and finds it to be a great outlet for creativity. 

Please note appropriate attire is required: 

• Closed toe shoes
• Long pants and long sleeves are recommended, but not required.
• Cotton clothes are recommended. No synthetic materials.
• Bring something to drink as well