Pictured: Flameworking class at Selby. Photo Courtesy of Matt Szidik.

This summer, harness the heat to create stunning glass creations at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens where guests can learn about flameworking from professional glass blower and Selby Art Instructor Matt Szidik.

Szidik studied art in college, where he discovered the world of glassblowing. He’s a member of St. Pete’s artistic community and owns Little Wolf Glass, where he transforms this medium into anything from leafy palm trees to elegant sunset-colored bowls.

In this program, Szidik will share his wealth of experience with students of all skill levels ages 12 and up. Participants will learn the basics of flameworking, which involves the use of oxygen, propane, a torch and heat resistant borosilicate glass to create a glass pendant that they can hang on display or wear. After he demonstrates the process, each student gets their glass rod and selects the colors they wish to use. As students work, Szidik moves around the open-air tent, offering guidance. “We’re aiming for flower pendants, but often people go on their own and make their own masterpiece,” he says.

Szidik hopes that participants leave the workshop with the desire to further pursue the art form. “You have the whole class time to experiment, learn and play,” he adds. “It’s super fun and hopefully people might want to take it up as a hobby.”  He recommends wearing long pants, a t-shirt and closed-toed shoes and bringing along plenty of water. He notes that safety glasses will be provided and that guests who enroll in a class get a pass to explore the gardens. With the lush tropical flowers and verdant pathways winding their way through Selby, there’s no telling what the garden will inspire you to create.

The Intro to Glassblowing and Flameworking Workshop will be held July 21 and 22 at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota Campus. The class fee is $88 for members and $98 for non-members. All supplies are included in the class fee. To learn more and register, visit selby.org.

Pictured: Flameworking class at Selby. Photo Courtesy of Matt Szidik.