By Chris
Chancellor

TACOMA — It’s demonstrated in a manner almost as simple as placing a log over a fire. As the experts at the Museum of Glass explain it, they want to keep the intricate process of molding glass into an array of shapes and colors as basic as possible for a dozen former soldiers who were invited to participate Nov. 9 in the first Veterans Glassblowing Day.
“Because we have such a small amount of time to work with people and glassblowing is such a very technical, intensive, hands-on thing, we are keeping it really simple,” said instructor Courtney Branam, who compared many of the colorful finished works to fancy Japanese fishing floats displayed on nearby beaches. “We’re either making an ornament or a glass float.”
Among the participants was Tacoma’s Kurt Harsh, who served from 1986 to 2000 in various roles in the army.
He estimated that he has visited the Museum of Glass about a handful of times each year, and when he heard about the opportunity to work with professionals at no cost, Harsh felt he had to take advantage of the opportunity.
“This is my first experience,” he said. “It is something I’ve seen and have wanted to do for years. It was a great opportunity to actually get my hands on trying to blow glass. It’s something I’ve always been very curious about. I couldn’t pass it up.”
Harsh said he and his wife long have collected glass artwork and he hopes to add the orange and lime green float he designed to their display cabinet.
“Hopefully, I can convince my wife to put mine amongst it,” he said, laughing. “I’m looking forward to seeing how it turned out.”
Branam did not serve in the military, but said he enjoyed the opportunity to work with several veterans. While he is used to people viewing his work from the bleachers, he is not used to working with novices on the hot shop floor.
“It’s just a nice way for the museum to give back,” Branam said. “It’s a special opportunity for people to come down and have a unique experience in the hot shop. It’s not something a lot of people are familiar with. We get to do this every day, so it’s kind of fun to give back and share a little bit.”
Branam, who commutes from Seattle, said glassblowing is similar to many hobbies where it takes years to become proficient.
“It’s like learning to play a musical instrument,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for 20 years and I still feel like I’ve got so much to learn.”
It is a passion he will continue to cultivate. Based on his interests, Branam said glassblowing was a natural fit for him.
“I’m a bit of a pyromaniac, I guess,” he said, laughing. “All of the smoke and fire — handling all of the molten material — is the big draw for me.”
Museum of Glass officials hope veterans will feel the same. Active-duty military and veterans were given free admission on both Veterans Glassblowing Day and Veterans Day.
“It has been amazing to see the connection military personnel have with our museum,” Susan Warner, director of the Museum of Glass, said.
The Museum of Glass also began an affiliation with Joint Base Lewis McChord on Presidents’ Day.
A class called “Hot Shop Heroes” was developed from that partnership.
The next pilot class, which is limited to a dozen students, begins in January. There is no cost associated with the class.
“That is a program that is going to work with returning soldiers recovering from physical or emotional issues,” said Alex Carr, digital media coordinator for the Museum of Glass. “We’ve been doing some glassblowing classes to help them regain confidence and teach them a new skill. It’s nice to see the arts and military uniting.”
Harsh said he is happy to see the Museum of Glass providing resources for active-duty military and veterans.
“I think that’s great,” he said. “It’s … giving them opportunities to try new things. It shows the community cares.”
The museum is located at 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, phone: 253-396-1768.