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Bermuda Glass Works

Q & A with Scott Hill

You have been blowing glass since 1984. What was it that interested you in this fine art?

I started as a Scientific Glassblower where I became fascinated with the way which glass moves and behaves when in liquid form. Glass is so unique in the way that it can bend, fuse together, reflect light and capture color. I wanted to explore more of this unique material and to test my ability, as glass is a very difficult and challenging material to work with.

Please elaborate on working with the glass Maestro Stephen Zawistowski.

Stephen was my tutor and inspiration to produce furnace glass. He has a unique style of working that has been handed down from the venetians, using hand tools and color combinations. I was so fortunate to be able to work with him as it has allowed me to understand the way in which glass works with the artist and vice versa.

Your glass blowing demonstrations are a must see when in Bermuda. What can someone expect to experience during one of your demos?

Artists in an open demonstration share how each item is planned with precise care, using natural and simple tools. Wet paper in their hands, wood paddles to shape and deflect the heat and black iron hand tools. This is a creative environment, which is hot and fast paced. Artists working in concert and partnership draw clear glass from the hot furnace; this is blown, shaped and colored individually.

What is it that sets the Bermuda Glassworks apart from other glassmakers?

Our glassware is very unique to Bermuda. We are inspired to use pastel and ocean colors fitting for the Bermuda scenery and wildlife. We use no molds to form any finished piece. Powdered colors of metals, semi-precious stones and natural materials are layered and fused in the 3000 degree “Glory Hole” and then patterned, spun and formed. These pieces are then placed to cool in the Lehr at 965 degrees. Pieces made one day will be available for purchase the next day, however, the full color is only seen when the work is cooled.

The Bermuda Glassworks provides a glass blowing apprenticeship program. Please outline the different components of this course and how might someone enroll?

This Hot Glass Studio is a training facility; we work within a formal Five Year Apprenticeship Program. From the studio assistant up to a fourth year Glassblower to Journeyman Level. Our students will find work in any country in the world. Formal training is a balance of Hot Pulled Italian fused glass and Classic Blown Glass, functional ware and whimsy. What is unique is the training and encouragement Artists receive to create their own specific designs. I think our willingness to allow room for the artist individuality to excel is part of our success.