Matt Salley, left, and native Park Forester Chris Szaton, of Marble City Glass Works, Knoxville, TN, are at Salon Artists Gallery through Sunday. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)
Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Chris Szaton and Matt Salley of Marble City Glass Works in Knoxville, Tennessee, are sharing their craft this weekend at Salon Artists Gallery, 294 Main Street, DownTown Park Forest.
Chris grew up in Park Forest, living in the Cedarwood Cooperatives until age 14, when his family moved to Walnut Street. He attended schools in SD 163, and graduated high school from Rich East.
Matt was born in Michigan but on his way to Tennessee he lived in Toledo, Ohio, the "Glass City", for a few years.
In 1992 Salley began glassblowing with Connie Christopher with the idea of a temporary job. However, the medium never left him as he continued along the path of life. Salley has attended Penland School for Craft under Flo Perkins and later Rob Levin. Soon after that he apprenticed with glass artist Richard Jolley. Then, in 1998, he began Red Door Studios, an independent studio in the 4th and Gill Neighborhood of Knoxville. The studio morphed into something larger and in 2008 Matt Salley co-founded Marble City Glassworks in South Knoxville.
A treasure hunt is scheduled for Saturday, March 26, where participants can win a beautiful blown glass vase. There is no entry fee. The event is free to the public.
The gallery will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, with entertainment Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Experience their bursts, birds, sculptures, bowls, glasses, ornaments and vases.
Entertainment for the exhibit:
- Friday, March 25 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – MuzicNet School of Music
- Saturday, March 26 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Bruce Foster, folk music
- Sunday, March 17 from noon to 4 p.m. – Steve Lydell, Rock-n-Roll piano.
Again, the event is free and open to the public. For additional information or Gallery hours, call 708-703-7806.
Matt and Chris tell their own stories here:
Marble City Glassworks is on the Web and on Facebook.
Some information for this article taken from: http://marblecityglassworks.com.
