Artist Profile

The process of transforming hot molten glass from the furnace to the beautiful and seductive finished form seems like a life long journey condensed into minutes rather than years and just as quickly it brings with it the frustration of failure and the exhilaration of success. I truly love the call to the challenge, the unexplored paths of beauty and the chair in the garden at the end of the day.

Mesmerized by the roar of the glory hole and the challenge of sculpting molten glass, Ed has pursued his passion for glass and light studying with T.C. Roberts on Whidby Island, WA., coursework in kilnformed glass at the Bullseye Glass Factory in Portland, Oregon and specific training in blowing at Red Deer College in Canada. He was chosen to assist at R. Strong Glass in Berkeley, has studied at San Francisco State University with Elin Christopherson and at Public Glass with Johnathon Schmuck in the Australian roll-up technique as well as coldworking . He has created sculptural pieces for the Napa Valley Museum’s Paradise Lost and Found and the Calistoga Art Center’s Wings of the Napa Valley. Ed can be found teaching students at the Wolfe Center in Napa and at the Napa Valley Community College. He also is a participant in the annual Napa Valley Open Studios.

After receiving a BFA in lighting design from the University of Southern California, Ed began work on the Hollywood sound stages and TV studios then accepted a position as a lighting and production assistant with Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies. He went on to work for George Lucas at Industrial Light and Magic on the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series of films as well as many others. With his own company, The Costume Factory, he honed his three-dimensional art and presentation skills designing and building complex corporate performing advertising characters, including Kool-Aid Man, Pillsbury Doughboy, Jelly Belly, and many Disney parade characters.

Glass Art On The Go - Just For Kids

September 20 and 27 from 1PM to 1:45 PM

As part of Open Studios, Ed Breed will be presenting a special glass demonstration just for kids. This fast paced 30 - 40 minute demo includes, creating a glass flower from a glob of molten glass, then a heart and finally a very colorful paperweight. Along the way kids learn about what ingredients are used to make glass, how hot it is, how color is added and much more.

After the demo, kids, accompanied by an adult, can help make their own brightly colored paperweight. Reservations are required and there is a $65 material fee to create your masterpiece. The paperweight must anneal (cool down) over a 24 hour period to insure that it does not crack. Paperweights will be available for pickup on the following Wednesday. To make a reservation, go to:

www.urlizer.com/00/2612

Open Studios Demo Schedule:

Saturday Sept. 19 at 11 AM and 2 PM - Demo of pumpkins, drinking glasses and vase (morning and afternoon)
Sunday Sept. 20 at 11 AM and 1 PM - Demo of pumpkins, drinking glasses and vase (morning) and paperweights (afternoon)

Saturday Sept. 26 at 11 AM and 2 PM - Demo of pumpkins, drinking glasses and vase. (morning and afternoon)
Sunday Sept. 27 at 11 AM and 1 PM - Demo of pumpkins, drinking glasses and vase (morning) and paperweights (afternoon)