Although you may know it as the “Steel City,” Pittsburgh’s involvement in the glass industry is a critical and often overlooked part of the city’s history. That’s one of the reasons why Peoples decided to partner with Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) to support their Technical Apprenticeship program, bringing young artists to the region each year.
This nationally recognized program brings together young glass artists from all over the country. While in residence, the apprentices help out with several daily duties around the glass center, such as setting up for events and workshops, interacting with renters, cleaning up the studio spaces, and maintaining equipment. Besides honing their technical skills, apprentices are also able to build meaningful relationships through the program with staff, renters, and other local artists.
One apprentice, Tate Newfield, first fell in love with the “magic” of glassblowing during a high school art class in Oahu, Hawaii. Since starting the apprenticeship, Tate has built a handicap accessible glassblowing bench, updated the PGC’s glass color storage, and gained the skills he may one day need to open his own shop.
Another apprentice, Mitchell Kile, learned to love glassblowing at a young age as well. After graduating high school in Minneapolis, MN, Mitchell attended college to pursue a fine arts degree where he learned about a 1-week intensive summer course at PGC, and then through that course discovered the apprenticeship program. His big focus during the program has been maintaining the furnaces and fixing or replacing equipment—most of which is made by PGC staff.
“My goal one day is to run my own art studio and business,” says Mitchell, “and also help promote and encourage art-making to the public by offering tours, classes, and presentations about my own artwork or about art in general.”
“This apprenticeship program is a direct jump start for me to start to understand what it's like to run an organization like PGC,” Mitchell adds, “and help further an already growing community.”
In supporting this program, we wanted to be more than PGC’s natural gas provider. Our goal is to support the development of this organization, young artists, and the surrounding community.
“As glassblowing is a craft fueled by fire, we couldn't function without support from organizations like Peoples,” says Tate. “Glassblowing means the world to me, and I am very grateful to PGC for allowing me this opportunity to continue on my glass journey.”
Whether in Pittsburgh or across the country, we hope that the experiences these apprentices gain through the program will be a critical stepping stone in their careers as artists and businesspeople.
“Peoples has meant a life-changing leap into my career as a professional artist, and a life-long relationship with the artists of Pittsburgh and the great city of Pittsburgh itself,” says Mitchell. “Pittsburgh has a lot to offer for artists and art enthusiasts and it is support like this that acts like fuel to a fire that is growth, collaboration, and community at large. Thank you!”