The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) has acquired the “Baby Dragon” portable glassblowing/reheat chamber combination furnace. An innovative hot glass tool, the furnace makes it possible to host outdoor glassblowing demonstrations and design experiences at the museum and offsite, throughout the community.
“The portability of the baby dragon is very exciting,” said Alan Iwamura, glass studio manager at TMA. “We now have the ability to take the art of glassblowing outside of the museum and into neighboring communities and beyond. The possibilities for teaching, interaction and engagement with the public are greatly increased by the arrival of this special tool. We look forward to the expanded community outreach that it will provide.”
The baby dragon can be used to teach both beginner and advanced hot glass students, and functions as a stationary or mobile studio. Powered by propane or natural gas, the furnace is mounted on a heavy-duty base with casters and accommodates a broad range of project sizes. This new furnace will primarily be used offsite at a variety of community locations to be announced later this summer.
Purchase of the baby dragon was made possible by the generous sponsorship of Majida Mourad, in honor of the memory of her mother, Elham Ellie Mourad, with additional support from O-I Glass, Inc.
