New Hot Shop in Town // Red Flower Studios
When I heard about a new glassblowing studio opening in Park City, I jumped at the opportunity to find out more. Art studios in general are some of my favorite spaces on earth. I love the feeling of walking into a studio space and becoming immediately inspired. Studios expose the raw creative, reveal the process, and allow for the exploration of new techniques. They give people opportunities to communicate and connect over creative ideas, and this is exactly the feeling I got when I walked into Red Flower Studios.
Upon entry of the studio just off of Bonanza Drive, I was greeted by two pups and an instant feeling of welcome. The studio space is small, but beautifully curated, balancing artfully displayed glass items for sale along with gritty, active workspace. Co-owners Daniel Bell and Micah Goddard were in the studio getting ready for a “Date Night” class that they had scheduled, one of the many creative programs they offer. As the two got the materials ready for their Date Night customers, they showed me around and explained how they got started.
Daniel has been working in the medium of glass for 9 years. He studied the art of glassblowing at the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee. He has lived all over the country, but has called Park City home for the past 14 years. In discussing his background, he notes “I have been a maker all my life, building forts out of wood scraps for my toy soldiers or GI Joe toys. These were some of the first things that got me into using my hands to creatively build things. I started welding and playing with metal sculpture about 12 years ago, but I discovered my passion for blown glass while living in Skagway, Alaska for a summer 10 years ago. I was hooked immediately.”
Micah was born and raised in Park City. The local has known Daniel for nearly 14 years. A few years ago, Daniel was commissioned to produce some blown glass pieces, and he asked Micah to help out. The two have been working together in the Hot Shop ever since.
So, why glass? Daniel explains that “the fire, heat, and being able to move and shape a material that most people only know in its cold state with your breath is wild. It was an easy addiction to pick up. There’s a seduction about being able to work with a material that is around 2000 degrees.”
The studio has been open for 2 months, offering a variety of creative opportunities including Date Night classes, where couples can make up to two glass pieces in a 30 minute time period. You can also sign up for a 1 hour workshop, which allows groups to make up to 4 glass pieces during the session such as vases, orbs, decanters, bowls, etc.
They also make products to sell, and are always adding to their inventory in the shop. In addition to selling ready made pieces, a large part of their business is producing special commissions including chandeliers, wall hangings, and other custom projects.
Check out Red Flower Studios for yourself. Sign up for a workshop and bring a creative idea to fruition, or simply pay them a visit and browse what they have to offer. Find out more at redflowerstudios.com.