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Blown Art Glass: Your guide to glassblowing artists, the history of blown art glass, and blown glass works

Right: Photo of a Chihuly sculpture taken at a Milwaukee Art Museum exhibit, photo by Phil Landowski

The art form of glass blowing has been intriguing people for ages, and with its recent resurgence in the 1960's, it's now easy to find quality handmade blown art glass to fit into your own decor.

GLASS BLOWING FIRST APPEARS IN THE 1ST CENTURY B.C.

The first evidence of glass blowing was found in Syria sometime around the birth of Christ. But it wasn't until the Venetians mastered the craft during the late medieval period that it started drawing a lot of attention. Craftsmen on the island of Murano had learned to blow glass with great skill, and many fine glass pieces came out of this area.

Around this time, in the late 17th century, Germany and Holland were experimenting with glass, yet they were becoming experts in engraving glass.

Things quieted down some in the glass blowing world until the 1960's when ceramics professor Harvey Littleton and chemist Dominick Labino held workshops at the Toledo Museum of Art to experiment with glass blowing. A few years later, now world renowned artist Dale Chihuly emerged on the scene as an extremely skillful blower and artist. With artists like Dale Chihuly sparking a new interest in the craft, it has now grown to be one of North America's fasting growing art forms.

With so many rising artists, you can now enjoy lovely glass bowls, dishes, vases, and sculptures in your own home - without having to travel to Venice!

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