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    Columbus Makes Art Presents Glass Artist Alexandra Fresch

    This Dec. 7-9, Glass Axis will host its annual Holiday Glass Art Sale in the Franklinton Arts District. The art sale will feature the work of over two dozen local glass artists, one of those artists is Alexandra Fresch. We caught up with Alex to learn about what she’s been making and what she’ll be teaching during the event.

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    Glass artist is Alexandra Fresch.

    Melody: How many years have you participated in the Glass Axis Holiday Art Sale?
    Alex:
    This is the fourth year I will be exhibiting my glass art at the Holiday Sale. It’s a great place for people to see a variety of glass-making techniques and the different styles of all the individual artists exhibiting.

    Melody: What are you doing to prepare for the sale? What is your favorite winter glass item to create?
    Alex:
    I have been blowing a lot of glass, which is a great way to stay warm as the weather is getting colder outside! Although I make a lot of Christmas ornaments and candy canes, my favorite winter glass items to make are snowmen. I enjoy making them because I can give each one such a personality depending on what hat they are wearing or the expression on their face. It’s also fun because I can combine both glassblowing and flameworking techniques, as I use a handheld torch and rods of glass to draw on the details, such as the snowman’s face and buttons.

    Melody: And you’re also teaching classes during the sale, correct?
    Alex:
    During the sale there will be ornament classes, bead-making classes and spin art all happening and everyone is welcome to watch, even if you’re not participating. I will be teaching some of the bead-making classes. It’s a great way to try glass that’s less intimidating because it’s glassblowing on a mini scale. Each participant sits in front of a personal torch and uses glass rods to build their beads onto metal rods called mandrels. This bead-making process is called flameworking and is the one of the most ancient forms of glassmaking.

    Melody: If people can’t make it to the Holiday Art Sale, will they still be able to buy your glass or take a class you’re teaching at Glass Axis?
    Alex:
    Absolutely to both! Glass Axis offers classes all year round and they are listed on the Glass Axis website. It’s also very popular for many people to set up a private class with a group of friends or coworkers then you can choose the date of the class. My glass artwork will be on display and for sale in the Glass Axis Gallery and Gift Shop, which is open during the facilities’ open business hours. It’s a great place to come shop for a special gift that’s unique and also supports local artists like myself.

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    A couple of scenes from the glass blowing process.

    See Alex’s handiwork or take a class from her during the Glass Axis annual Holiday Art Sale, Dec. 7-9 at their studio and gallery at 610 W. Town St. in Franklinton. During that weekend, dozens of regional artists will display their winter-themed glass art. To sign up for classes you can visit glassaxis.org or call (614) 291-4250.

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art and sharing information about exhibitions, performances, concerts and more at ColumbusMakesArt.com. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at how #artmakescbus.

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    Melody Reed
    Melody Reedhttps://glassaxis.org/?utm_source=columbusunderground
    Melody Reed is Executive Director of Glass Axis and a lifelong resident of Columbus. She formerly worked with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Cartoon Crossroads Columbus and Actors’ Theatre of Columbus.
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