SCOTT CARLSON - shown working on the left in both photos Scott began his studies at the Seattle Glassblowing Studio in 1995. His natural talent and charisma enabled him to excel quickly and he was soon asked to begin teaching introductory classes. As his skill level progressed, he assisted in advanced courses and completed several free-lance assignments. From 1996-1997, he worked with many world-renowned glass artists including Martin Blank and Jim Mongrain. In 1997 Scott began working for the world famous glass artist Dale Chihuly. Scott was a full time member of the prestigious Team Chihuly through 2000 and worked on many projects; including the Bellagio Hotel installation in Las Vegas, the Jerusalem 2000 project, and chandeliers for both Benaroya Hall in Seattle and Paradise Island, Bahamas. Due to his advanced skill and ability to create with any team, Scott was one of the chosen few chosen to blow on the Chihuly team in Nuutajarvi, Finland. In 2000 Scott moved to Santa Cruz, CA to work for noted glass blowers and sculptors Paul DeSoma and Marsha Blaker. Paul and Marsha initiated Scott into a variety of highly specialized sculpting techniques. Scott is now part of a family partnership at Gathering Glass Studio in Ashland, Oregon. He utilizes his unique skill set and colorful approach to teach others and create product lines with his brother-in-law Keith Gabor. KEITH GABOR - shown working on the right in both photosKeith began his glassblowing career in 1994 at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA where he earned his BFA in Crafts with a focus in Glassblowing. While he was earning his degree, he worked for the Williamsburg Glass Company where he experienced all aspects of a glass shop; from blowing in the hot shop to grinding, polishing, cutting, mixing batch and finishing glass in the cold shop. It was there that he developed respect for the art of production and the Early American glass techniques developed in East Coast factories. He then began working in various west coast states as a glassblowing instructor, gaffer and casting lead crystal. He also discovered a passion for technical work while employed at an aerospace company. He settled in Seattle, Washington in 2003. He resumed teaching glassblowing classes and assisting at Art by Fire while living, assisting and gaffing at Blowing Sands Studio with David Smith. Wanting to expand his knowledge and experience in all aspects of glass while pursuing knowledge about the operational aspects of a studio, Keith took a job as the studio technician for The Glass Eye Studio. He later left to become the lead hot shop technician for Tacoma’s Museum of Glass and Contemporary Art. He was responsible for maintaining all aspects of the museum’s hot shop, working with every visiting artist and teaching glasswork to the museum’s donors and sponsors. Keith felt ready to get back to creating his own glass and soon moved to beautiful and artist friendly Ashland, Oregon. Keith is now a partner at Gathering Glass Studio where he uses his skills as a technician and glassblower to both teach various community members and to create new and innovative product lines while working with his brother-in-law Scott Carlson.