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John Riepma
I found my passion for glass long before I found out how to
express it. As a child, some of my most vivid memories were
of watching the flameworkers at craft fairs and the
glassblowers at Colonial Jamestown. A simple stained glass
panel which my grandparents brought with them when they
emigrated from the Netherlands and which I inherited, was
the inspiration for my introduction to the world of stained
glass in the 1980’s.
After several years of working in stained glass I was
invited by two friends from the stained glass world to visit
them while they were taking a class in beginning
glassblowing. I was immediately hooked and determined to
learn the craft myself. After several years of taking
classes and renting studio time we decided that we would
like to have more access and time, and determined to build
our own studio. One of our partners owned an old barn that
could be used for studio space and they spent several years
and much hard work restoring it. I am a machine builder and
designer by trade, and did the research necessary to design
and build all of the equipment that we presently use in our
studio.
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More about John
Riepma
Blown
glass continues to amaze me every time I work with it. I
have been fortunate enough to meet, watch and be inspired by
some of the best glassblowers in the world. When molten, the
natural tendency of glass to assume graceful forms pleases
the eye and mimics many of the shapes we see in the natural
world. Its ability to both absorb and transmit light and
show depth allows beautiful effects not seen in other
mediums. I like the tactile experience of working with a
gather of glass that is over 2000 degrees, using heat,
gravity and tools to control its form. At times, it feels as
though you are “juggling” something that is both beautiful
and dangerous. Glass is also a very difficult medium to
master, and demands concentration, calmness, physical
ability, technical skills and above all a good dose of
humility. One of my favorite quotes, from Dan Fenton, is
“glass remembers everything you ever do to it.”
As I near the end of my professional career I plan to delve
deeper into the world of glass and its infinite
possibilities. I hope that others find beauty and grace in
my work, and enjoy viewing it time and again.
Juried Shows:
• Gallery Uptown Winter Art Festival 2008
• White River Gallery Change of Seasons 2008
• Muskegon Museum of Art West Michigan Regional 2008 Hills
Ford Purchase Award
Galleries:
• Gallery Uptown, Grand Haven MI
• Stafford’s Gallery, Petoskey MI
• Art Reach of Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant MI
• Muskegon Musuem of Art gift shop, Muskegon MI
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