Glass Art is a Hot Attraction in Cannon Beach
Published: 12/24/2010  Updated: 08/14/2019

In their Cannon Beach studio, just a few blocks south of downtown, glassblowers Jim Kingwell and Suzanne Kindland coerce glowing-hot pieces of glass into colorful works of art. Icefire Glassworks has literally been one of Cannon Beach's hottest attractions since 1972. Kingwell and Kindland often make art with an audience watching. Their work area is separated by windows from an observation area in the gallery. Both artists make this challenging medium look easy, when a few seconds, a few degrees or the wrong move can be the difference between exquisite art and broken shards of glass on the studio floor. Kingwell has been involved in the modern glass art movement for nearly 40 years and Kindland has been blowing glass for over 16 years. The Icefire artists were recently featured in an episode of Oregon Public Broadcasting's "Oregon Art Beat." Admirers of art glass will also want to explore Cannon Beach galleries who feature the work of more glass artists. Northwest By Northwest Gallery features work by glassblower James Nowak who creates large pieces using the Italian Murini technique encasing intricately detailed colorful designs into his work. You'll also find fused glass masks and animal figures by Ruth Brockmann, Duane Dahl's bowls and platters that feature slumped glass over river rock, cast glass masks and traditional spiritual figures by Lillian Pitt and Marvin Oliver's large blown and fused glass sculpture. At DragonFire Gallery you'll find Ann Cavanaugh's contemporary fused glass landscapes and abstracts and blown glass by Kyle Kraiter. White Bird Gallery features blown glass by several artists including Todd McLure who creates contemporary vessels that allude to the female form, intricate lidded containers featuring organic designs by Josh Rodine and blown glass sculptures in simple abstract compositions by Jeremy Newman and Allison Ciancibelli.
Glass Art is a Hot Attraction in Cannon Beach