Sean Lewis parlayed his expertise into On-Center Glass, offering novices a taste of the glass-blowing. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Johnson Digital)
At 21 years old, Sean Lewis was a few semesters away from a Tufts University engineering degree. Sticking around a little longer would have earned him a safe, fiscally sound career path.
It was becoming clear, though, that the responsible route would not be the most rewarding. Always artistically inclined, Lewis found no room for creativity in his engineering course load. He liked the idea of transforming blueprint designs into 3-D structures, but he wanted something with hardware heavier than a calculator.
When he learned that a family friend ran a glass blowing studio in Tucson, Ariz., he left school and moved west within a week.
There, he found his passion. And after all, what’s not to like? You plunge a steel rod into a 2,000-degree furnace, lift up some molten glass (which, at that temperature, drips off the steel like honey) and mold it into a slender vase, a colorful ornament, or a million-dollar chandelier.
“It’s the best job in the world,” Lewis says, “ It’s one step away from alchemy.”
A few years ago, Lewis returned to New Jersey — his home state — with his wife, Marin. The two have started On-Center Glass, a business that invites outsiders into their fascinating world. They offer evening events for those who want a taste of glass blowing, and a semester-long course for those who seek to become experts.
Their “Blow Your Own” ball hosts up to ten guests for an evening party replete with food and music. Each guest helps make his own souvenir, such as vases or ornaments. Attendees then watch as Sean crafts stunning pieces of glass art from the furnace.
For those who want to take it a step further, On-Center offers half-day sessions, weekend-long classes, and individual lessons. At each stage, guests take home a glass souvenir they helped to make. It’s a creative outlet that demands focus, forcing guests to leave their worries at the door.
The Lewises seek to create a community around glass blowing. And in New Jersey, there’s a precedent. Around the time of the American Revolution, Sean says, glass was big business in the Garden State (think “Glassboro”). Craftsmen found sand — the main ingredient of glass — abundant at the shore and used the state’s famous pinewood for furnace fuel.
By inviting customers into their studio, Sean and Marin hope to spread awareness of a craft they’ve come to love. They also seek to create a safe and fun hangout for veteran creative-types and young, budding artists.
For information about pricing and reservations, e-mail Sean at info@oncenterglass.com.
