World Famous GlassMaker, Pioneer and Renaissance Man Demonstrates the Art of Glassblowing

HOLLISTER, Calif. - Sept. 27, 2013 - PRLog -- Stuart Abelman is truly a Renaissance man, with vision and unprecedented talent. He was one of the pioneering leaders in the art glass movement in the 1960's, revising the art form that so dominated the Art Nouveau period in the late 1800's. His works have been shown in over 500 galleries and museums worldwide including the Smithsonian, Japan's Kobe Museum, and he is recognized in the permanent collection of the Corning Museum as the first artist to bring figurative sculpture to hand blown glass. Abelman's pieces are in the collection of numerous celebrities such as Pierre Cardin, Alex Rose, William Shatner and Elizabeth Taylor whose lavendar perfume bottle he created for her recently sold at Christie's auction for $10,000.

Abelman is a featured artisan at the 10th anniversary of the Northern Calfiornia Renaissance Faire. His unique ability to create stunning glass pieces without the use of paint is what differentiates Abelman from other glass blowers. All the colors and designs are formed from hot glass made with gold, silver, and other finest silicia sand to ensure the purest quality glass possible, and the results are stunning.

With a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, Abelman stumbled across the brand new glass department at the University and decided to devote his artistic talents to glassblowing. He completed a four year Master of Fine Arts Program at the University of California Los Angeles perfecting the art of glassblowing and later ran the glassblowing department at El Camino College. A true artist at heart, he found himself drawing borders and doodles on college exams, notes, and even paper napkins in restaurants and airplane flights. With these collection of sketches and doodles, Stuart left teaching and pursued his dream of opening his own studio, Abelman Art Glass, now recognized as one of the finest studios in the world.

His notoriety doesn't stop there, Nancy Bingham, an American authority on Murano clowns put Abelman's glass clowns into her second book for private Murano clown collectors because of their uniquess, level of difficulty and artistic expression.

"I created the clowns in order to find another way to breathe life into glass in a meaningful way," said Abelman about the limited clown series. He is currently designing the 45th limited edition clown.

His work was touted on the cover of Sunset Magazine, American Express Catalog, the Chrysler Museum Holiday brochure, gifts for Olympic gold medal winners and dazzling millions on the White House tree.

No stranger to education, history and the entertainment industry, Abelman has had glassblower roles in several films including a PBS movie, Showtime and special effect shoots at Paramount Studios.

"I have been working with hot glass for so many years that I am certain it runs through my veins," Abelman says with a smile.

For the first time ever, Abelman is available for interviews upon request. He will also be demonstrating each weekend at the Northern California Renaissance Faire now until October 13 at Casa de Fruta in Hollister. Over 140 master artisans present creations of blown glass, sculptures, amulets, and romantic clothing. There are activities for the whole family including a full contact joust, musical entertainment, comedic plays, games, and much mor.


WHAT: Glassblowing Demonstrations by World Famous Glassblower Stuart Abelman

WHERE: Northern California Renaissance Faire

WHEN: September 14 and ends October 13

TIME: Faire opens at 10am/ Celtic Rock Series begins at 6pm

WHERE: Casa de Fruta, 10031 Pacheco Pass Highway, Hollister

COST: $25 at the gate; children 12 and under will be admitted FREE.

A weekend pass, which covers the admission for one weekend, is $35. A Fairever pass, which allows unlimited access all 10 days, is $150. Save $5 off adult tickets for groups of fiteen or more with the promotional code "group"

INFO: For more information and tickets, visit www.norcalrenfaire.com or call 408.847.FAIR