INSTRUCTORS
John Owen
Owner
Instructor:
Glass Blowing,
Glass Sculpting
John Owen is the owner of Aurora Borealis Glassworks. A gifted teacher and enthusiast of all things glass, John has introduced hundreds of people to the wonder and artistry of glassblowing.
Beyond his popular glassblowing classes, John an accomplished jeweler and a seasoned hunting guide. John's diverse skills and interests reflect his passion for adventure and craftsmanship.
​
Christele
Merrick Baird
Instructor: Stained Glass, Glass Etching
Christele Merrick Baird is a leading stained glass artist based in Albuquerque, NM. For over 35 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.
Jonathan Casto (Casto)
Instructor: Marbles, Lampwork, Sculpture, Glassblowing
I have been a full-time glass artist over 20 years, it's the only job I've ever had! I studied at the Penland School of Crafts in innovative sculpture and went on to Murano Italy studying under Lucio Bubacco, focused on human anatomy and architecture in glass (sculpture). I am now focusing on making holographic images and using them in my glass art.
​
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/c.a.s.t.o
​
Jeffrey J. Schmitt (Smitty)
Instructor: Cast Glass
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.
Gayle Reinhart
Instructor: Fused Glass
I started my creative journey in 2014, after retiring from a career in Pharmaceuticals. Having had exposure to the famous glass artist, Dale Chihuly, I began with hot glass making paper weights, then explored encaustic painting with hot wax. I love exploring the diverse glass and wax world, along with the discovery of Alcohol ink.
​​
My studio is located next to my home in Placitas, NM. My view of the inactive volcano Cabezon as well as the Jemez, Sandia, and mountains of Sante Fe provide an extraordinary location to create.
I am dedicated to ongoing learning, a lot from making mistakes and moving forward to advance my understanding of working with hot and warm glass, encaustic and cold wax, and alcohol ink. I am enjoying my creative journey, and enjoy helping my students along their journeys!
​
You can see more of my art on my website at https://greinhartart.com/.
Stephanie Baness
Instructor: Fused Glass
Stephanie Baness received her BFA from Mundelein College (Loyola University, Chicago) and her MLA from the University of Chicago. In 2012, she left her career to study glass for three years at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. After completing her studies, she relocated to New Jersey and started Moxie Sorbet Designs, her fused glass studio.
In 2022, she relocated her studio to Corrales, NM. In addition, she teaches fused glass classes at Creativity Warehouse and Aurora Borealis Glass in Albuquerque. Moxie Sorbet Designs specializes in fused glass furnishings, jewelry, and tabletop accessories for the home. The creations combine beauty with function using jewel tones and unusual shapes. Each piece is designed, hand-cut and fabricated by Stephanie.
​
For more information, please visit https://www.moxiesorbetdesigns.com/
Fran Hahn
Instructor: Lampwork
I fell in love with melting glass in an open flame over 30 years ago, while still working in Wisconsin. Using glass made in the USA, Europe, and China, I'm able to create beads with brilliant colors, textures, and shapes using multiple techniques.
Upon retirement when most people get a gold watch, I asked for an oxygen concentrator instead and upgraded my torch to oxygen/propane. Then I started making bigger, more technically-challenging beads and then moved to Albuquerque. With past classes from Larry Scott, Stephanie Serchik, and JC Herrell, I began teaching glass beadmaking at Aurora Borealis about 12 years ago. As a member of the Arizona Society of Glass Beadmakers (ASGB), I continue to learn new techniques via Zoom videos from some of the best lampworkers in the USA ... which also leads to new ideas!
My beads are sold to individual jewelry makers to be incorporated into their designs, sculpted sheep turned into spinning wheel hooks, and Minions (TM) donated to Beads of Courage, a nonprofit organization that donates colorful lampwork beads to hospitals for children undergoing cancer treatment.
​