These guys have glass
NORWOOD - A Norwood-based glass studio offers art lovers and members of the community an opportunity to get up close and personal with fine art.
Martli Jansen van Rensburg gave the North Eastern Tribune a tour of Smelt Glass Studio.
She co-owns the studio with her business partner, Mike Hyam.
Jansen van Rensburg said the studio aimed to promote innovation and exploration of glass in South Africa through various educational programmes. “The public can watch master glass blowers as well as young and emerging artists work in the glass blowing studio while shopping and browsing through the contemporary glass gallery,” she said.
At the time of this newspaper’s visit, Bongani Dlamini, the studio’s main blower was blowing one of the pieces.
Jansen van Rensburg added that the studio hosted workshops for children on weekends. “This we do create awareness of the art of glass melting and to also keep the studio open to the public,” she said.
The studio is situated in the newly-established Factory on Grant.
The ‘factory’ is the brainchild of Craig McLeary and was developed to promote the arts, crafts and design.
Jansen van Rensburg said the studio focused on commissioned architectural and interior work, studio rentals for existing glass artists, training for aspiring glass artists and workshops for the young and old. She said, “Interested members of the public can contact the studio for more information on workshops or arrange to sit in and watch blowing sessions.”
Details: martli@moltenglass.co.za
