Date: 25 October 2003
Fenton, president and grandson of company founder Frank L. Fenton, will be at Clockmasters to speak to Fenton-lovers and sign purchased pieces of Fenton Art Glass.
Four generations of Fentons have put their expertise into their hand-crafted art glass in the family company that was founded in 1905 in Williamstown, W. Va.
"The pieces are handmade and hand painted using techniques that are centuries old," Clockmasters owner Bill Demaree said. In addition to a full line of finely crafted clocks, Demaree has been carrying Fenton glass since 1985.
"It's a remarkable process," he said, pointing out different pieces and applications used to achieve various looks, colors and textures on each handmade piece.
"There is interesting chemistry involved," Demaree said, noting his wife's reference to observing the artisans at work as, "like watching ballet in overalls."
Demaree was honored his shop was chosen for Sunday's signing event, since Clockmasters is the only Fenton dealer in Indiana to be included in Fenton's list of fall signing events. Fenton glass, Demaree said, is different.
"It's all domestic handwork, and it's unique," he said. "There's nobody else in the United States that even is close to this."
A special 7-inch Rosemilk Opalescent basket created just for the event, will be available for purchase and signing, as will hundreds of other pieces, including figures, baskets and lamps, that Clockmasters carries.
A video tour of the Fenton Art Glass Co. also will be available for viewing Sunday.
Fenton Glass got its start in 1905 when brothers Frank and John Fenton began hand-painting glass they bought from other manufacturers. In 1907 in Williamstown they opened their own factory that is still run by the family.
Seven family members attend special signing events nationwide each year.
Add new comment