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RELEASED: May 27, 2004
DANVILLE, KY—It looked as if the paparazzi had swarmed to Centre's campus late last week.
Flashes were blasting away and numerous camcorders were rolling film as acclaimed Venetian glass artist Lino Tagliapietra gave three public demonstrations at Centre's hot glass studio.
Tagliapietra, who achieved "maestro" status by the time he was 21 and is a dominant force in the world of glass art, performed in front of enthusiastic, standing-room-only crowds.
"I'm incredibly impressed," says Shannon Goodpaster, a rising junior double major in history and international studies from Lexington, Ky. "It's such delicate work, and it's neat how the glass transforms. This has been a great experience."
Recent graduate Kate Spear '04, an English major from Greenville, S.C., was equally amazed. Spear had taken a glass-blowing class under the tutelage of Stephen Powell, professor of art at Centre, in January.
"One thing that really impresses me is how quickly he can complete an incredible piece," she says. "He can complete an entire piece in less than an hour."
Powell, as well as several former and current Centre art students, assisted Tagliapietra.
Tagliapietra received an honorary degree from Centre during Sunday's commencement. He was Humana Visiting Artist at Centre in 2000. During his time at the College he gave glass-blowing demonstrations and participated in making a video titled Lino Tagliapietra: Maestro of Glass, which aired on PBS stations around the country. Tagliapietra has taught at several schools around the world and has been recognized with many awards for his talent.
For more about Centre's art program, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/academic/majors/art.html.
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