Look Beyond wants to know what fuels your passion. In a new video series, they are going to be featuring four businesses that shape San Antonio’s creative culture. The first business featured has been around pleasing art lovers for over twenty years. Garcia Art Glass, run by Gini Garcia along with her mother, sister and niece, brings color and creativity to life with each of its unique blown glass pieces.
Glass blowing has been around since the first century B.C. when Syrian crafters used a free-blowing technique to create one of a kind pieces. In the 1820’s the blowpipe was developed, and it is this invention that is still used at Garcia Art Glass today. You can witness this technique yourself Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon, and 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
A unique design
Ms. Garcia herself designs each piece with watercolors. Each of those watercolor designs could be considered an art piece in itself. She then sends her ideas to the back where her master team of crafters bring the ideas into reality.
Art made possible by the fossil fuel industry
They start by heating the glass to 2250° using furnaces run on natural gas and electricity. Even Ms. Garcia is amazed at how large of a role the oil and gas industry plays in her creative endeavors. The natural gas and electricity of course, but also the petrochemicals that are used in the protective gear the crafters wear. Don’t forget the plastic bubble wrap they use to protect each piece as it goes to its new forever home and the fossil fuels used in the vehicles delivering those pieces.
Be sure to follow Look Beyond on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to see who will be featured next.