After studying with some of the glass industry giants such as Narsissis Quagliata and Gil Reynolds, Kerry took the classic technique information he gleaned from those artists and began to experiment and form his own unique and very beautiful style. Kerry studied with glass master Klaus Moje at the prestigious Pilchuk Glass School in Stanwood Washington and has incorporated the new and exciting ideas that developed from that tutelage.
Kerry is the owner of Glass Fire Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he creates his own work and offers instruction to the novice and professional hot glass workers who want to absorb the wealth of information he has to give. Kerry is a popular instructor in glass forming techniques at glass conferences and trade shows nationally and internationally, such as Hot Glass Horizons in Portland, Oregon, and Corning, New York, and Glass Craft Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He is one of the founding members of the Glass Art Guild of Utah. He has been featured in nationally syndicated magazines such as Glass Art Magazine. His work can be viewed in commercial establishments throughout the country such as the Market Street Grill restaurants and he is also a featured artist in many galleries throughout the United States. In 2005, he was awarded the commission for a large public art glass installation at the TRAX train station in his home of Salt Lake City, Utah. Because of the excellence of his work and his dedication to the art, Kerry was nominated to the Marquis Who's Who in American Art. On September 21, 2006, Kerry and his work were showcased on the TV program, “That’s Clever,” for HGTV.
Kerry invites you to browse through his on-line gallery [www.glassfirestudio.com], visit the galleries listed that display his work and take classes with him either in his private studio or at one of the other facilities that have requested his teaching skills.
In addition to doing private and public commission work, Kerry is also an advisor to the Davis Arts and Humanities Council and President of the Glass Art Guild of Utah. His work has been exhibited nationally and abroad and is currently represented in galleries throughout the United States.
For more information regarding Kerry's work or schedule, you are invited to contact him at:
Kerry Transtrum, Glass Fire Studio, 196 W. Malvern Ave. Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Phone: 801-698-1069
Public Art Commissions:
Commissioned to produce Art in Transit, a Public Art Program for TRAX (light rail in Salt Lake City). Commissioned by the Salt Lake City Corporation on April 14, 2005, for a $70,000 contract. Work title was “The Faces of Our Neighborhood,” at the 900 South Utah Transit Authority TRAX Station. Work was contracted to be completed by September 30, 2005, and it was completed on time and within budget. Contact point: Nancy Boskoff, Salt Lake City Arts Council, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 801.596.5000.
Design Team Experience:
In 2007, Kerry worked with Pace Pollard Architects on the Market Street Grill River Park glass design and installation (Sandy, UT), including a 25’ cast glass counter in the restaurant.
Kerry worked on the public art commission noted above with a team of three artists, and worked with a variety of team members with the Salt Lake Arts Commission and the Utah Transit Authority, including engineers and architects
Exhibitions and Public Installations:
2009 --- Participated in “A Gathering of Glass” at the Patrick Moore gallery in Salt Lake City Utah and was awarded an “Award of Merit” for his sculptor entitled “Flow”
2008 --- Participated in “Glass at the Garden” at the University of Utah Salt Lake City.
2007---Participated in glass exhibit at the Rose Wagner Center Salt Lake City. Work acquired in the permanent collection of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts Gatlinburg TN.
2006—Participated in glass art exhibit at the Patrick Moore Gallery, SLC, UT; the Face of Utah Sculpture exhibit at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley City, UT; in an exhibit of the Glass Art Guild of Utah (GAGU) artists’ works at the Gallivan Center, SLC, UT; and in the 4th annual “Glass at the Garden” exhibit at Red Butte Garden, SLC.
2005—Participated in “A Gathering of Glass” exhibit held at the Patrick Moore Gallery, SLC, UT. Also participated in GAGU group show at the 3rd annual “Glass at the Garden” at Red Butte Garden, SLC.
2004—Participated in "Forum and Fusion" exhibit held at The Forum Gallery, SLC. Also participated in GAGU group show at the 2nd annual "Glass at the Garden" at Red Butte Garden, SLC.
2003—Work on display at the American Embassy in Madrid, Spain. Participated in the 1st annual "Glass at the Garden" show at Red Butte Gardens, SLC.
2001—Participated in the GAGU show at the Kimball Art Center, Park City, UT. Participated in Utah Arts Festival, SLC, UT
1999—Accepted to the San Francisco International Gift Fair in San Francisco, CA. Also had work represented in 10 galleries around the country.
1998— Participated in the GAGU show at the "Arts of Utah" gallery.
Other Exhibitions/Public Installations:
Kimball Art Center: Park City, UT 84034, 435.649.8882
Element Gallery: 10500 NE 8th St., Bellevue, WA 98004, 425.454.8242
Copper Leaf: 233 E Historic Colombia River Hwy., Troutdale, OR 97060, 503.491.1770
Two Moons Gallery: 620 S 1st Street, Laconner, WA 98257, 360.466.1920
Backroads Gallery: 2180 Old Creamery Rd., Harmony, CA 93435, 805.927.2919
Scott Laurent Galleries: 348 Park Ave., North Winter Park, FL 32789, 407.645.5777
Creative Glass: 3149 S. State St., Salt Lake City, UT 84106, 801.484.7711
Arts of Utah Gallery: 2226 S. 700 E., Salt Lake City, UT 84106, 801.467.7477
Surprises, Inc.: 4003 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77027, 713.877.1900
Northwest Discovery: 142 Bellevue Square, Bellevue, WA 98004, 425.454.1676
Planet Weavers: 518A Castro and 18th, San Francisco, CA 94117, 415.864.5526
Market Street Cottonwood: 2985 E 6580 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84101, 801.942.8860
J. D. Browne: 749 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965, 415.322.4777
Nourot Glass Studio: 675 East H St., Benicia, CA 94510, 707.745.1463
Gallery XVII: 18 North Saginaw, Pontiac, MI 48342, 246.745.8875
Market Street Grill: 48 W. Market St., Salt Lake City, UT 84104, 801.322.4668
Toneri Art Gallery: 400 Sun Valley Rd., Ketchum, ID 83340, 208.726.5639
Riverbank Arts: 19 Bridge St., Stockton NJ 08559, 609.397.9330
Carefree: 4147 Main St., Fishcreek, Wis 54202, 920.495.3672
Contemporary Design and Art Gallery: 30 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84111 801-364-0200
Coda Gallery:73-151 El Paseo Palm Desert CA 92260 800-700-4661
Many more commissions in private collections.
Awards:
2009--- Awarded “Best of Show” at the University of Utah Glass Show, SLC, UT.
2009---Awarded “Award of Merit” at the “Gathering of Glass” exhibit Patrick Moore Gallery, SLC, UT.
2006—Awarded “Best of Show” in “Glass at the Garden,” at Red Butte Garden, SLC, UT.
2005—Awarded “Best of Show” in kiln-formed glass at the Patrick Moore Gallery, SLC, UT.
2004—Awarded "Best of Show" out of 250 pieces of glass at the “Forum and Fusion” exhibit at The Forum Gallery, in SLC, UT.
Education:
2007—Paperweights with Don McKinney in SLC, UT. Studied with Jeremy Lepisto and Mel George at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood Washington
2006—Magic of Dichroic Glass with Shirley Webster in SLC, UT.
2005—Studied glass casting with Phil Teefy in SLC, UT.
2004—Studied with glass master Klaus Moje at the Pilchuk Glass School in Stanwood WA.
2001—Studied with master glass painter Peter McGrain at Glass Craft Expo, Las Vegas, NV.
1999—Studied at Glass Craft Expo, Las Vegas, NV.
1998—Studied at Glass Craft Expo in Las Vegas, NV, and at Hot Glass Horizons, Portland, OR.
1997—Studied glass forming techniques at Glass Craft Expo, Las Vegas, NV, with various glass artists. Studied with glass artist Newy Fagan at Fagan Art Glass, Ocala, FL, and with glass artist Dan Fenton at his studio in Oakland, CA.
1996—Studied glass forming techniques with glass artists Gil Reynolds, Phillip Teefy, and others at Hot Glass Horizons, Portland, OR, and Glass Craft Expo, Las Vegas, NV.
1995—Studied glass fusing with artist Newy Fagan at Glass Craft Expo, Las Vegas, NV.
Glass Art Professional/Teaching Experience:
2008- Commissioned to create several commercial works of art in glass such as for the law firm of Fabian and Clendenin in Salt Lake City and the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida. Also taught workshops in glass forming techniques at Glass Craft Expo, Las Vegas NV., Pacific Art Glass, Gardina CA., Coatings by Sandburg, Orange CA. Spectrum Studios Salt Lake City and the national conference on kiln-formed glass “Hot Glass Horizons” Portland OR. Kerry also attended the annual conference of the Glass Art Society in Portland OR.
2007—One of Kerry’s kiln-formed glass fish dominates a billboard in SLC, advertising the newest Market St. Grill restaurant. Commissioned to create a 2’ x 10’ x 1,1/2 art glass counter top for private residence. Taught casting workshop July 15 – July 21 2007 at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg Tennessee. Taught workshops in kiln-formed glass at Hot Glass Horizons in Corning NY and Portland OR, Glass Craft Expo in Las Vegas NV and at Wired Designs in San Antonio TX.
2006—Taught workshops at Fagan Art Glass in Ocala, FL. Also taught workshops on various glass-forming techniques at Hot Glass Horizons, Corning, NY and Portland, OR. Taught workshops on kiln-forming techniques at Rainbow Art Glass in Sacramento, CA. Taught glass forming workshops at Glass Craft Expo in Las Vegas, NV. and Wired Designs in San Antonio TX.
2005—Taught workshops on glass forming techniques at the Art Glass School of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica. Taught glass forming techniques at Hot Glass Horizons in Portland, OR. and Wired Designs in San Antonio TX.
2004—Taught workshops on various glass forming techniques at national conferences held in Las Vegas, NV; Portland, OR; Corning, NY; and several classes in the SLC area. Was one of ten artists accepted out of 190 applicants to study with glass master Klaus Moje at the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA, in the summer of 2004. Elected president of the GAGU.
2003—Participated on jury selection committee for the Park City Arts Festival. Taught workshops on various kiln-forming techniques at Las Vegas, NV; Portland, OR; Corning, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and SLC, UT. Elected vice president of the GAGU.
2002—Commissioned by the Gastronomy Group to produce a glass installation at their Market Street Grill Restaurant at 48 Market Street, Salt Lake City, UT. Invited to study at the Uroboros Glass Factory in Portland, OR, in July of 2002. His work was included in their Uroboros glass show in Frankfort, Germany, later that year. Continued to teach workshops at Glass Craft Expo in Las Vegas; Hot Glass Horizons, Portland, OR; and Corning, NY; and supplied artwork to galleries. Elected secretary of the GAGU.
2001—Commissioned by the Gastronomy Group to create a glass installation at the Market Street Grill, Cottonwood, 2985 E. Cottonwood Parkway, Salt Lake City, UT; the Gastronomy Group, 48 Market Street SLC, UT; Hammerton Metals, 2149 S. 3140 W., SLC, UT; Kahm Design, 6195 S. 600 E. SLC, UT; and Natural Instincts, Deer Valley, UT. Accepted to the teaching staff at Hot Glass Horizons, Corning, NY, where he has taught workshops in glass forming techniques every spring since then. Accepted to the teaching staff at Glass Craft Expo, Las Vegas, NV. Continued to teach at Hot Glass Horizons in Portland, OR, and Corning, NY, as well as other places around the country. Opened and operated his personal studio and teaching facility, "Glassfire Studio." Was one of eight glass artists from the US and Canada selected by the Bullseye Glass Company to work with their resident artists and designers developing new kiln-forming techniques in the summer of 2001. His artwork was included in the Bullseye glass company "Painting with Light" program (a collection of artists’ work, along with a slide and lecture program presented by the Bullseye Glass company to promote their new line of crushed and powdered glass which traveled all over the world). Elected president of the Glass Art Guild of Utah.
1999—Was accepted to the teaching staff of Hot Glass Horizons Portland, OR (an internationally recognized hot glass conference, attracting students from all over the world). Also executed several commissioned pieces for private individuals.
1998—Became one of the founding members and appointed as director of the Glass Art Guild of Utah (GAGU), SLC, UT. Began teaching workshops in glass forming techniques at Creative Glass in Salt Lake City and the Kimball Art Center in Park City, UT.
Bibliography:
June 2009---Work featured Salt Lake Tribune article as glass exhibit “A Gathering of Glass” opens at the Patrick Moore Gallery in S.L.C. UT.
September 21, 2006—Kerry and his work were showcased on the TV program, “That’s Clever,” for HGTV.
July 2006—Work featured in Salt Lake Tribune article, Glass Art Exhibit Opens, SLC, UT.
July 2006—Work featured in 15 Bytes—Artists of Utah E-zine.
June 2006—Work featured in Salt Lake Tribune article, Fine Art of Glass Sculpture on Display, SLC, UT.
2004—Artwork featured in book on kiln-formed glass by renowned glass artist Gil Reynolds, entitled "Advanced Kiln Forming Techniques."
2003—Work published in fall issue of "Art Glass Magazine."
Kiln Formed Glass
General Information
The techniques of forming glass with heat are really a very old process and the first way glass was ever used as an art form. Using crude techniques and equipment ancient Egyptians used heat from fires to form glass and use that glass as valuable objects some 4000 years ago. Around 1500 BC glass blowing was developed. Because of the ease and uncomplicated tools required to form glass in this manner glass blowing was accepted as the way of forming glass and the method of forming glass with heat in a kiln or some type of heating chamber was became somewhat lost. Today with the availability of modern day materials such as light weight refractory material and computer controlled kilns this lost art form has found new life and for the past 20 years has become the fast growing art form in America.
The term “kiln formed glass” or as it is sometimes referred to as”warm glass” is a term that can be used to describe many different techniques that incorporate many materials. From fused, slumped, cast or draped all these techniques make use of both heat and gravity to shape the glass. The glass used in producing this art work comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and forms. Because each type of glass has its own expansion and contraction rate not all types of glass can be used in combination with each other. However, from crushed and powdered colorful art glass to solid bricks of glass to regular window glass artists working in this medium use any and all types of glass to express the their feelings.
Many different techniques are used in the kiln forming process. Many pieces are made using a lost wax technique in much the same way a bronze sculpture is produced. First a wax model is created and a plaster mold formed around that model. The wax is melted out and then glass is cast back into the hollow from. Glass is material that requires a very slow and controlled heating and cooling environment therefore taking many days or weeks to complete a single piece. After the artwork is out of the kiln the procedure of cold working the glass takes place. This where the glass is ground and polished to its finished appearance.
A material that is fragile in its own right yet visually extremely strong glass is a material that over centuries has been regarded as a precious and valued material.
