Sung-Hwan Hong from Korea, with his double-bubble pipe

For the second year, a hot glass workshop took place in the yard of the Evald Okas Museum. Titled “Maritima”, the event was dedicated to the 725th jubilee of Haapsalu City. Maritima, the Latin word for “seaside” was used in the 13th century to refer to the West Estonian province. Organized by the Estonian Glass artists’ Union, in cooperation with the Evald Okas Museum, the event lasted from June 28 through July 4.

Artist Helena Kreem and glassblower Ivan Antonovitsh	Vegetarian Show 1
Vegetarian Show 2	Vegetarian Show 3

While the last year’s workshop was dominated by an international crew of artists, this time most of the participants were from Estonia. Yet, we did have some “foreign assistance” as well; for the construction and maintenance of furnaces, we owe thanks to the Korean artist Sung-Hwan Hong, whom we had the honour of working with last year; again, he demonstrated his unique “double bubble” pipe. Robert Tannahill from Canada had brought wooden masks to use as molds for glassblowing. The guests joined for a presentation of a ‘vegetarian show:” glass being blown/cast into peppers, potato cavities etc.

Leonard Lissatovitsh – our glassblower

Participants from Estonia included: Liisi Junolainen, Toomas Riisalu, Kai Kiudsoo-Värv, Helena Kreem, Kati Kerstna, Kairi Roolaht-Orgusaar, Malle Hallimäe-Karik, Kai Koppel, Sofi Arshas and Kai Saarepuu. Assistance was provided by master glassblowers Ivan Antonovitsh ja Leonard Lissatovitsh.

The workshop culminated in a glass exhibition, opened at the E. Okas Museum on July 4, participated by 29 artists and featuring works executed on site, as well as earlier creations. The show stayed open through July 31.

Thanks to our sponsors: the city of Haapsalu, Hansabank, Nurme factory, the Haapsalu Door Factory, Salva Insurance, Multireklaam Group and the Estonian Artists’ Union.

The organizers would also like to thank all the artists, who donated their works for an Internet auction in support of the workshop; especially Kalli Sein, who was in charge of the auction. Special thanks to our “landlady” Kai Koppel for housing the event and preparing the furnaces; Helena Kreem for arranging the exhibition, and to all participants.