Passion for glass propels entrepreneur’s journey from construction to art
By Bev Berens
Matt Paskiet
“My first recollection of glass blowing was at Cedar Point. I always wanted to know what was behind that giant glass furnace,” laughs Matt Paskiet, owner of Firenation Glass Studio and Gallery in Holland, Ohio.
The gallery celebrates ten years of business in 2012 and will host a variety of surprises, including three open house events, to commemorate the milestone.
Matt left the security of a full-time job in 1999 as a construction project manager and estimator in order to mold a new future within the art of glass blowing. He graduated from Bowling Green State University and took his first glass blowing class in 1993 at the Toledo Museum of Art. One class led to more classes—and a skilled artisan was born. From 1993 to 1999, Matt spent his days working full-time, and at least three evenings per week he worked either independently or with another artist in the museum’s glass blowing studio on projects, classes or demonstrations.
In 1999, he moved to Seattle, Wash., entered the Pilchuck Glass School and later studied at the Centre de Vildre School in Barcelona. “Out of fifty students in the class in Seattle, there were nineteen countries represented,” he said.
For the next couple of years he worked in several glass studios in Washington, learning every aspect of the art, gaining experience, building a network. “I did everything, including burning out,” he said.
Opportunity eventually knocked with a chance to return to his hometown and start his own shop. Matt answered the call and spent the next year and a half remodeling the former hardware store that is now home to Firenation. “I had a lot of help from my family. We built the gallery, the hot shop, the cold shop,” he said, giving his family credit for many construction hours spent in the building. His first location choice was more of a warehouse atmosphere where there was little store-front traffic. However, the more visible location where the business eventually settled has paid off. “I landed here by dumb luck. It was just a timing thing,” he said.
Although Matt’s blown glass masterpieces are the primary draw to this piece of real estate, paranormal activity watchers also find his location particularly fascinating as well. His store is designated as the ‘most magnetically active place in northwest Ohio.’
Custom work is the major part of his business with orders coming from both private and corporate customers. In addition to commissioned work, he has created memorial award pieces for the Owens Corning Company, Alzheimer’s Association, Breast Cancer Awareness and St. Luke’s Hospital.
Matt prefers that clients come in and discuss preferences before they attempt to match it with a particular décor. “Buy the glass first, then the pillow to match it,” he laughs.
Slump Fuse Fridays are making a comeback for 2012. Matt opens the studio for people to come in and design a jewelry piece from cut glass. Matt provides the firing; customers pick up the piece at a later time. Groups or individuals are welcomed in his classes and he will tailor classes depending on the situation. His classes are even gaining popularity as a corporate team building exercise. “Glass blowing involves a lot of left-brain activity; there is a lot of shoulder-bumping and elbow-rubbing in the group classes, a great opportunity for the corporate team building experience,” he said.
Firenation is also a popular destination for school field trips where students learn the connection between science and art while watching the process. High school art students explore another art medium through the actual glass blowing process.
Public classes change seasonally with hearts as the focus for February, eggs for Easter and flowers for spring. Introduction to glass blowing classes run four weeks in length, with classes beginning in January and running throughout the year. His website offers a complete listing of class schedules for 2012.
Matt’s artistry hasn’t gone unnoticed by his peers either. Recent awards include Toledo City Paper Best in Glass Art category in 2008 and 2010 and the Ohio Designer Craftsman, Dominick Labino Award in 2004, 2007 and 2011.
If you have found this story interesting, informative or inspiring, please let Matt know! You can contact him at 419-866-6288; visit Firenation Glass Studio and Gallery at 7166 Front St. in Holland, Ohio; email him at firenation@sbcglobal.net; or visit the website at www.firenation.com.
