Students at the Hoyt L. Sherman Studio Art Center do not learn with lectures or textbooks, but with hot, molten glass and open firing pits. The Sherman Studio Art Center offers Ohio State students the opportunity to study glass blowing.

On any given day of the week, students spend hours in front of the firing pits, twirling molten glass and creating fragile works of art.

The easy-going atmosphere is welcoming, as rock music blares throughout the tiny art studios in the building. Heated by three firing pits, the glow from the flames jumps around the walls as the hours pass and students bend over their molten projects.

The small program has 14 undergraduate students, four graduate students and one full-time faculty member: Joel O’Dorisio, a lecturer of glass.

“We lean heavily on the graduate students,” he said. “Each of the graduate students teaches a section of glass.”

Another resource students can learn from is Dorothy Gill Barnes, an 80-year-old visiting, well-known glass artist.

“Most of what I do is collaborative,” she said. “You tend to help each other out because you can’t do it all on your own.”

Students work with each other, assisting in the process of blowing glass with high-heat temperatures. While students blow Barnes’ molten glass, she morphs and warps it into shape, directing the process until she has exactly what she wants.

Her work, to be displayed at the Franklin Park Conservatory in an exhibit called “Bending Nature” next October, will focus on molding organic fiber products such as wood into the framework of glass.

“I’m really fortunate to be here because the students are wonderful. It’s a real benefit to me to have the opportunity to learn more about glass,” Barnes said.

At the firing pit, the handling of hot glass reaches temperatures of 1,500 degrees and requires students to work with others. Hannah Hoffman, a senior in glass, said it is easy to develop friendships within the class. Standing in a circle with some friends, Hoffman described how well the small group of students know one another.

“You’re always assisting people and people are always assisting you,” Hoffman said. “Everyone knows each other really well.” The program requires long hours and hard work. Students such as Sarah Wilson, a senior in art history, said they spend 12 to 15 hours a week working on their projects and studying glass.

Because the sections are so small, it is very competitive to get into the close-knit group of students. Out of 100 applicants each quarter, the program can only take 10 new students.

“We just don’t let any seniors in just because it takes so long to learn how to blow glass,” O’Dorisio said. “We want to keep it open for people who are actually able to study and learn it.”

In November, students have an annual glass sale in which they sell the work they have created. This year, the sale will be held Nov. 29 and Nov. 30 at Hopkins Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“I think there’s something about the fire going all the time. The hours are long and people work hard, but they’re interested and excited about the work,” Barnes said.

Jennifer Hallquist can be reached at [email protected].