INSTRUCTORS:
Jeffrey J. Schmitt (Smitty)
Instructor: Paperweights & Glass Blowing
Christele Merrick Baird
Instructor: Stained Glass & Etching
Smitty is a third generation artist and has been involved in the glass arts since 1979. He is self-taught, does commissioned pieces and displays work in galleries and shows throughout the Southwest. Smitty has taught hundreds of students over the years. His passion is glass. He also works in the areas of glass fusing, slumping and casting.
John Owen
Instructor: Glass Blowing
John is unique to the school as he was a student who stuck with it to the point he has become an instructor. When he is not cheerfully teaching glass blowing, John engages in other interesting activities. He is an accomplished jeweler, expert hunting guide and produces the best honey in this neck of the woods.
Fran Hahn
Instructor: Glass Beads
Christele Merrick Baird is a leading stained glass artist based in Albuquerque, NM. For over 25 years, she has created stained glass for spaces anywhere from creative remodels to multi-million dollar residences. Her windows have been recognized in several award winning homes. Furthermore, she has worked on a variety of commercial projects, including offices, restaurants, retail stores, churches, museums, and other public buildings.
Gayle Reinhart
​
INSTRUCTOR: Fusing Instructor
Like John, Gayle started as a student. Her first class was in 2014 and she turned out to be a natural with glass. Although she works in the hot shop blowing glass, her stock in trade is fusing, slumping and kiln casting glass. Her commitment to this form of glass art has taken her on a path of impressive accomplishment, building a studio for herself and becoming our lead fusing instructor.
Fran Hahn is an award winning glass bead artist, is a member of the International Society of Glass Bead Makers and has taught bead making at national conferences.
"I have been making glass beads since 2004, consumed by the manipulation and interaction of molten glass with the flame. Different color glass behaves differently once melted, and two colors of glass may create unexpected effects when melted together, or encased. Exploring and utilizing these unique reactions along with different techniques is like visiting an exquisite new world - the end result may not be what you intended, but it will be beautiful nonetheless."
Fran Hahn is an award winning glass bead artist, is a member of the International Society of Glass Bead Makers and has taught bead making at national conferences.
"I have been making glass beads since 2004, consumed by the manipulation and interaction of molten glass with the flame. Different color glass behaves differently once melted, and two colors of glass may create unexpected effects when melted together, or encased. Exploring and utilizing these unique reactions along with different techniques is like visiting an exquisite new world - the end result may not be what you intended, but it will be beautiful nonetheless."