Karg Art Glass
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| Rollin and Patti Karg (left) Mayor Kathryn Quade and Doug Quade (right) of Poulsbo with their purchase of Karg Art Glass. | Rollin (top), Rollin and Patti's niece Christine (bottom center), Megan Balogh, wonderful employee (right) and three of Christine's friends. |
Pictures were taken in September of 2007 when Rollin and Patti visited us at Shorelines Gallery. It was such a pleasure meeting both of them and hearing about their work in Kechi. We will always remember their visit. Our thanks to the Kargs!!
How does an Industrial engineer come to be an accomplished artist? Rollin Karg, engineer turned photographer turned potter turned woodworker turned glassblower, has turned one of his one-time hobbies into a full time career. He attributes his artistic inclination in part to a strong desire to work with his hands, coupled with the inspiring, park like location of his studio. The tree studded setting is an ironic oasis in Kechi. This is where Rollin creates his fragile one-of-a-kind treasures.
Standing under his spectacular awning and facing the furnace he built, Rollin concentrates on working the hot glass. Skillfully he turns a flowing globe, adding intricate, colorful designs to the crystal-clear mass. The fiery furnace and forces of gravity heighten the artists’ exhilaration at bringing dramatic form to the soft, hot glass. The excitement is intensified by nature’s own beautiful backdrop, and exquisitely unique glass pieces are born.
Rollin studied hot glass at Emporia State University, commuting from Wichita while building his first furnace. He originally came to Wichita to attend Wichita State University on a football scholarship. His birthplace was Columbus, Ohio, but he was raised in Miami, Florida. Many changes have taken place in his artistic direction since he came to Wichita over thirty years ago.
Please visit Shorelines Gallery during business hours, hold Karg Art Glass in your hands and feel the shapes and colors speak to you with the magic that Rollin creates.
