 |
Essex County's Verona Park, designed by Frederick Omstead, is a beautiful setting for the show with a lake that has boating and refreshments available, providing for a great family day out.
One of the many talented artisans this year is glass artist Nancy Sala of Bethlehem, PA. Sala began making glass creations 27 years ago as a traditional stained glass artist. The desire to experiment and to see how far she could transform glass gave way to this passion she calls hot glass.
"There is something to be said about manipulating a plain cold piece of glass in a flame to transform it into a piece of beauty. Being seduced by all the colors and possibilities as I work the glass in the flame is an experience that only another lampworker or glassblower can understand," Sala said.
Although the very beginning of glass bead-making is a bit obscure, Sala explained that this ancient art form has been practiced for more than 3000 years. "Back then, an oil lamp was used to melt the glass; that’s where the name lampworking comes from. Today, we’ve gone high tech. We have a myriad of torches from which to choose. Propane and natural gas are the fuels of choice, and oxygen is used as an accelerant to the fuel to make the flame hotter. We’ve come a long way!"
Another exhibitor at this year's event is furniture designer, Robert Kowalski, of Spencer, MA, a talented woodworker who says that growing up in Northern Virginia, the Washington, D.C. area architecture inspired his interest in design.
Kowalski spent eight years in apprenticeships and attended professional studies in woodworking before he opened his own traditional furniture shop in 1984 where he built and designed one of a kind pieces of furniture and collaborated with architects and designeers in both residential and business settings. In 1987, Kowalski received the American Institute of Architecture award in restaurant design for designing a Crafts Movement style bar for a D.C. restaurant.
"Today," Kowalski explained, "our New American Craftsmanship Furniture is derived from Shaker and Arts & Crafts Movement designs. Crafted using the finest materials of cherry, mahogany or walnut hardwoods, we are a custom shop meeting individual needs and creating heirloom-quality furniture to be used and enjoyed today and handed down to future generations."
Co-sponsored by Essex County Department Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Janet and Howard Rose of Rose Squared Productions, Inc, the show is located on the corner of Pleasant Valley Way/Lakeside and Bloomfield Avenue and can be reached by taking Rt. 280 to Exit 7 (Pleasant Valley Way), right on Pleasant Valley Way to the end. The park is on the corner. The park can also be reached by taking the Garden State Parkway to exit 148 Bloomfield Ave. Go west on Bloomfield Ave approximately 3 miles; the park is on the left. Park legally around the park off Pleasant Valley Way/Lakeside.
The hours of the free show are 10 AM-5 PM, rain or shine. For more info call 908-874-5247 or go to the web site: www.rosesquared.com.
 Council
Schedule 2008Mon. 4/21/08 Mon. 5/5/08 Mon. 5/19/07 Mon. 6/2/08 Mon. 6/16/08 Verona TV VTV is now available on Verizon Ch. 24 and Comcast Ch. 35. Garbage / Recycling Booklets 2008 Northside Southside |
|
Advertise With Us | Editorial | Memorial | Contact Webmaster | Verona 100
The webmaster is always looking for new links and content. Send to him at the address above.
