Summer Breezes Art and Anniversary Sale

You're invited to visit Nourot Studio and see the art works in "Summer Breezes" by six women artists on display through September 15th.

There is also another reason to visit: Nourot Glass is celebrating 35 years in business this month. It seems like, well, another age when the studio first fired up in 1974. Then we did not know what we did not know and that probably was a good thing.

Now the studio has son Nicholas Nourot, 26, making glass along side of the "maestro". Please visit and give them your congratulations on 35 years in business. Blowing demonstration on Youtube.

Thursday August 20th from 4:30--7PM there will be a Benicia Chamber Mixer and you are invited to come celebrate and mix with the artists that are represented in the lovely "Summer Breezes" art show that is hanging now. Since June the furnaces have been off to economize (PG & E will not accept enthusiasm as payment as of yet). Now we are firing up: that means hot glass again and many new works by the famous artisans of Nourot Studio.

While you are there take a peak at the custom jobs that are in the pipeline: delicate soft yogurt cups in mint, pink and yellow for Big Spoon Frozen Yogurt Shops and also Corporate Awards for many new customers, etched with their corporate logo and personalization.

Social Group? Brownie Troup? This fall is a good time to schedule a tour of the Benician Glass studio of Nourot. See our tourist website.

Pictured above: Kay Carlson's work, left and center; Kara Young, right.

Open Apprentice Day a Big Success

Nourot Glass Studio's 34th Anniversary Party and Open Apprentice Day on Saturday brought out many glass loving fans. Here you can see some visitors trying to blow glass of their own.



Starting from scratch with just a little help from your friends is how these novice glass makers got into the art scene Saturday. Selected visitors to the Nourot Glass Studio and gallery in Benicia were "walked through" their first piece of art glass. Participants came from all walks of life, new moms, software developers, aerobics instructors and even one eight grader found their muse in the glowing 2000 degree molten honey. Paperweights, drinking cups and even a few vases were produced by the day's end.
The "One and Olny Open Apprentice Day" drew glass artist wanna bes who were not afraid to get hot and sweaty. The gathering was done by the Nourot staff for the most part and the beginners took it from there. Feeling the pull and drop of the heavy molten glass proved very alluring to everyone who took part. Collectors Myrna and Richaed Kimmelman from Napa even had a second go round when their first creation hit the pan. Oops the punti let go! A Benicia Herald staffer Christi and new editor Mark Ethier came by to give it a whil as well. Thanks for your support, guys.
In the gallery it was a usual Saturday with Paula Foster and Rene Silcox taking care of the Chihuly Show fans who continue to dribbble in from the excellent article about us (and Dale) by Gretchen Eberle that ran in the San Francisco Chronicle in mid-July. Newly weds beginning their glass collection inspired by the deYoung's "Chihuly at the deYoung" picked out a new "Shifting Sands" pattern vase by Micheal Nourot. This new enamel pattern is in soft browns, acid green, maroon and yellow.

Everyone seemed to be having a great time taking part in the fun. Other participants included Linda Wright's four children, Benicia fisherman "Chip" pictured here making the most massive piece of the day and soccer mom Christina Strohl.
Glassmaking in the Italian tradition would not have been achieved without the help of real life professional artist Scott Zoog who attended with his wife Erika, also a glass artist. Mr. Zoog attempted a large "Venetian" curlyque ala Chihuly with the help of the Nourot's son Nicholas.
The vault glass got some exposure and a couple of 29 year olds from Alameda found the 70's looks there the most intriguing of all Nourot's pieces on display. Could it be that the "Earth Bottles" will soon make a come back?
Time will tell, as we roll on into our 35th year before the glory hole. Pray the saftey glass did it's job and we'll still be able to see what's going on in there next year!

Anniversary for Nourot Gallery: 34 years in Business

Happy Anniversary Nourot Studio

34 years at the Glory Hole and still taking the heat.

Now that we have stroked the boss and bossette we turn the blog over to Annie for a personal message.

Dear Readers:

If it weren't for all the good old days these days would be even harder to comprehend! On August 1, 1974 Micheal and I took the keys to the first Nourot Studio across the street in the finishing shop of the Old Yuba Manufacturing Plant. He handed me a broom and said, "Go sweep over there." Being as I was it for labor, I swept and swept and swept. I think it was 500ft by 75ft or it just seemed like it. The wharehouse we rented is no longer there. But I sure remember the dirt and the dust "of centuries" we cleared before setting up shop. How fun it was to do everything to set up a business and learn as you go. On Halloween we had our first hot glass melted. It was gettting dark and it was pretty hard to tell the temperature. We had neglected to hang lights above the work area!

Those of you who are gallery owners and corporate clients who are visiting here for the first time, welcome. The August Sale announcement which we sent out, as you can probably tell, was not aimed at you. (All Nourot pieces in the gallery 20% off for the whole month of August) It is my task immediately to begin making relevant changes in how we communicate with all of our collectors, visitors, buyers, and gallery owners.

Soon in this space we will profile some of the places that sell Nourot pieces across the country and beyond so our readers can know where they can go to buy a good selection of our works. If you have useful images, gallery owners, email them to the studio for this profile project please.

We thank each and every one of you for your trust and support and every good wish you have been sending us for our 34th anniversary in business. With the studio's next generation, Nicholas Nourot, our 25 year old son, the legacy that we began long ago in the disco years insures that there will be Nourot Glass made for many, many more years to come. Our kids and grand child are pictured above.

Bye now, Annie