There are those who say that glass art and conservation are opposing interests. I disagree. Glassmaking throughout history has had environmental impacts, deforestation for fuel, mining for materials and localized impacts of production. While many glassblowers hold little to no historical guilt for our craft, as we move into the ever-pressing concerns of a warming climate, now is the time to reckon with our impact on our environment and to ensure that our collective contributions are higher than our consumption.

As our society has moved away from glass and towards plastic as a default, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the long-lasting repercussions. Glass isn’t blameless, our medium has gone from a symbol of wealth to being considered nearly as disposable as plastic.

Too many glass artists to list draw upon nature for inspiration. The beauty of the natural world has an incredible pull. As most artists learn throughout the creation process an attachment to the source of inspiration is to be expected. In turn, glassblowers use their artistic expression to create societal awareness, that spurs real change.

I’ve found that having one foot in both the art and scientific world to be difficult at times, but ultimately beneficial. With a bit of history, science, and plenty of glass magic I hope to show why needn’t feel that turning up the heat is inevitable. The allure and inherent value of glass, combined with the limitless potential of glass’ recyclability and use, make it a clear choice for the planet.