BioGlass™ MISSION:
The research, development and potential utilization of renewable fuel sources and community resources to create eco-efficient glass-making techniques with a new perspective in the art glass studio, which simultaneously aids to help glass artists make more profit, and protect the environment.
Members of BioGlass intend to provide product development, new equipment, education, outreach and incubation programs for artists. In doing so, we shall protect the glass making heritage that is more than 6,000 years old that is currently threatened by cost and limitations of fossil fuels. In developing new habits and glass making techniques, the ancient tradition may continue into the future with opportunities for economic development in arts and eco-tourism industries as well as improving education for both artists and admirers of glass.
BACKGROUND INFO:
Glass has been created since 4000 BC, and its heritage is a continuum of tradition and creative breakthroughs for art, science and function. I am extremely dedicated to seeing this tradition continue into the future.
A typical, modern glass studio consumes 2- 6 million BTU of natural gas per day, for which prices have tripled since 2001, resulting in numerous closures of glass studios worldwide. Glass colors can be toxic and expensive to manufacture. Glass kilns run for months with castings inside their controlled interiors. Glassmaking in all of its forms uses massive resources.
Glass and ceramics artists have one major fact prevailing their thoughts: the rising costs of natural gas and the difficulty to keep the studio doors open. We are all seeking answers of how to make changes and adapt to our new environmental concerns and to retain competitive prices.
Because of the augmented price of fuel costs the past few years, thousands of years of heritage and tradition in the glass industry are threatened withbeing extinguished. Creating new options for using sustainable fuels sources combined with the recuperation of theloss of waste heat from the furnace and kilns, make this an ideal opportunity to collaborate efforts, to save fossil fuels, and provide community-based centers fueled by sustainable resources.
The cost of overhead and use of fossil fuels have affected many glass studios and factories world-wide, resulting in the loss of significant, historical glass studios, including Waterford Crystal and hundreds of European Glass houses. Examples of glass studios, research, results, and links to engineering sites and websites of art studios who are pursuing the same goals are gathered here for a common use resource.