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Blown-glass mugs by Rebecca Silverman

Hot!

Suzanne Chessler | Contributing Writer

Rebecca
Silverman joins
the on-fire team
at Epiphany
Glass Studios.

details

The Epiphany Glass Studios
Holiday Show & Sale will be held
Dec. 2-4 at the Pontiac studios.
There is no admission fee, but
there is a $50 fee for trying glass-
blowing, which requires advance
scheduling. (248) 745-3786;
epiphanyglass.com.

R

ebecca Silverman enjoys
science fiction, and that
interest spills over into her
independent artistry. Silverman
creates dragons — among many
other three-dimensional pieces —
by using glassmaking skills.
Working out of Epiphany
Glass Studios in Pontiac, she also
designs and forms diverse func-
tional items, such as mugs, wine
glasses and bowls.
These personal projects come
after spending days making glass-
works designed by April Wagner,
whose facility will be holding its
annual Holiday Show & Sale
Dec. 2-4.
Although there won’t be any
Judaica, there will be generic
gift items, such as ring holders
and paperweights, for Chanukah
celebrations. There also will be
glassblowing demonstrations and
a chance for visitors to experience
the process.
Every holiday event has the stu-
dio partnering with a Metro Detroit
charity to raise funds through the
sale of exclusive gift items. A dif-

ferent partner is chosen each year;
the current one is the Michigan
Humane Society (MHS).
Going along with the organi-
zational theme will be a colorful
line of pet-focused glass works,
functional and decorative figu-
rines, with a portion of proceeds
benefiting the MHS. Visitors can
choose from an array of sleeping
kittens, energetic dogs and water/
food bowls with paw-print embel-
lishments.
“I work under contract for April
and make whatever she asks me
to make,” explains Silverman, 27.
“She usually has me on the job
three or four days a week. I rent
time to complete my own designs
and sell them at other places,
including the Rust Belt Market in
Ferndale.
“April likes to make giant
sculptures, and I assist with these
abstract works. For the smaller
items, she’ll do a demo, and I
make however many she wants in
whatever colors. Each item sold at
Epiphany is signed and dated by
the artist who does the glassblow-

Rebecca Silverman torches a
glass dragon

ing.”
Although Silverman has made
ritual washing cups for relatives
and friends, she has not delved
into other Judaica.
“I got started blowing glass in
college,” says Silverman, who has
been working at Epiphany since
May. “I like the fluidity of the
medium and the exciting opportu-
nities it presents. With each item
I make, I’m always learning more,
and I tweak each piece that I make
so it has a different appearance.”
Silverman, who holds a degree
in elementary education from
Michigan State University, did
substitute teaching for two years
before deciding to give artistry

her full-time attention. She eased
into glass projects after designing
and making wire-wrapped jewelry
sold at art shows.
Meeting people who blew glass
on a torch provided introductory
skills advanced through night
classes at the Michigan Hot Glass

continued on page 44

42 November 24 • 2016

