this gallery focuses on a skillful ancient art form
There are a many art-forms. Some that are as simple as a stroke of a brush, and some that are as physically taxing as sculpture… but one art form, which often overlooked in it’s danger and skill is glass blowing. It is kind of like ballet in dance, in that it looks so effortless, but is extremely hard to do.
We came across this amazing gallery, Vetri, that features such skilled artists and shines light on the beauty of glass art and other relative mediums.
Vetri is an art gallery in Downtown Seattle, WA where you can find beautifully designed, thoughtfully curated, handmade objects by emerging makers and established artists from the Northwest and beyond.
SBL: Was this a gallery before you created retail online?
VG: Vetri was established in 1996 and has always been a retail art gallery.
SBL: What is the premise of what you guys do? What makes the business special?
VG: Vetri showcases the work of extraordinary artists and designers. With roots in the studio glass movement, we focus on the innovative contemporary work being made by artists working with glass. In addition to glass, we are proud to show the work of ceramic artists, independent jewelry designers, and exceptional objects in all media.
SBL: Why glass? What is the story behind Vetri? When was Vetri Gallery created?
VG: Vetri was established in 1996. We are also the sister gallery to Traver Gallery. Founded in 1977, Traver Gallery has long been considered one of the country’s premier exhibition spaces for contemporary studio glass, painting, sculpture, and installation art. Many of the artists who found their start at Vetri have gone on to have solo exhibitions at Traver Gallery.
Dale Chihuly, a renowned glassblower originally from the Seattle area, started the Pilchuck Glass School in 1971. Since then, Seattle has become an essential destination for glass makers from around the world. The amount of creative talent that comes through Seattle is unlike anywhere else in the world and we have front-door access to it all. Vetri just makes sense.
SBL: How often do you add new artists?
VG: Vetri is always bringing in new artists, accepting new artists applications, and looking around for new works we think are cool. It is one of the fun parts of being at the gallery.
SBL: What do you look for in glass artists?
VG: We look for artists who are working with materials in new, thoughtful, and innovative ways but, also have a good eye for form, balance, proportions, and use of color.
SBL: Is there a name for glass artists? What's a cool fact about glass art?
VG: Glass artists are artists who use glass as their primary medium. Sometimes they label themselves by the process that they are most proficient in (ie. glass blower, glass caster, glass fuser, flame worker.)
It is generally believed that glassmaking was discovered 4,000 years ago, or more, in Mesopotamia. Glass artists have been using many of the same tools and resources that have been used for centuries. Little has changed with the technique, but the way artists choose to express themselves is constantly evolving.
SBL: How has Covid changed your business? Did you have to change anything?
VG: Things have changed a lot since Covid. Vetri’s brick and mortar space closed for a few months. We shifted our focus to our online presence and spending more time creating online content for our social media and website. Vetri has since reopened but most of our sales are online now. We also have been video chatting with our collectors. This has been a really successful new tool for us.
SBL: What makes glass cool? Why should people check you out?
VG: Glass is so cool! It reflects and transmits light in a way that no other material does. There is also a wonderful community of artists from around the world that are all connected because of the material. Blowing glass is an art form in its self and fun to watch. Have you seen the Netflix Show, Blown Away?
Vetri is really the epicenter for emerging and established glass artists from around the world. Everyone looks to us to see what’s new and happening now!
SBL: What advice would you give to artists out there?
VG: Don’t overthink things. Don’t take things personally. Keep making.
Visit Vetri here.
Follow their Instagram here.
