11th Annual Virginia Hot Glass Festival in Staunton

Flaming torches and fire-breathing dragons are just a few of the amazing features at the 11th Virginia Hot Glass Festival this weekend at Sunspots Studios in downtown Staunton.

Hot glass artists from around the region gather annually, bringing booths full of beautiful art glass items and demonstrating their craft throughout the weekend.

Caroline Sheridan, festival organizer and co-owner of Sunspots, says that by hosting the Glass Festival, Sunspots hopes to provide a unique event that highlights the variety of work made from one medium — hot glass.

The family-friendly event includes the Kids’ Challenge, whereby children draw pictures of something they would like to see made from glass, and artists choose some drawings on which to base glasswork done on site.

“We did the Kids’ Challenge for the first time last year,” Sheridan says. “Both the glass artists and the children loved it. It is a real challenge for the glass artists to interpret the kids’ drawings, with all the colors and shapes that the kids dream up.” Successful glass creations were given to the children who inspired them.

In addition, artists will invite several visitors at random to step into the glass studio and assist the glass blower in making a hand-blown ornament.

Art of Fire glass artist Josh Ries will create his fire-breathing dragon that shoots flames from its mouth during one of his demonstrations. Flame work artists James Spaloss of New Jersey, Lisa Mosster of Newport News and Debby Weaver of Maryland also will shape glass as people watch.

The artists’ booths will take over the second floor of Sunspots Studios, featuring goblets, vases, glass jewelry and marbles and hot glass creations from functional to pure art.

“The colors, shapes and the almost magical properties of glass give it a special place in the art world. And the fact that a piece must be created from start to finish in one sitting, usually in a space of less than 30 minutes, is intriguing,” says Sunsports owner Doug Sheridan.

The festival is indoors at Sunspots, 202 S. Lewis St. in downtown Staunton. Parking is available on-site, and the festival is handicapped accessible.

The Virginia Stone Carvers will exhibit and demonstrate stone sculpting across the street from festival. Barren Ridge Vineyards will offer wine tasting at the festival and food will be available.

Sunspots Studios creates and sells artworks of copper and art glass in its Staunton studios and offers live glass blowing demonstrations daily