AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) – The 6th Annual Americus Hot Glass Craft Beer Festival once again brought in breweries from all over.
And as always, visitors got to enjoy the work of multiple unique artists.
For a common technique known as “glass blowing,” the glass is set at 2,300 degrees and needs to cool for a day before use. Artists come from all around the country and some are local.
“I love working with the hot molten material. It’s kind of like a mesmerizing material unlike any I’ve ever worked with before,” said Nate Nardi, glass artist and business owner.
A unique aspect that makes this festival stand out from the rest, is the partnership of Mobile Glassblowing Studios right in their backyard.
“Americus actually has a long history of glassblowing. GSW is one of the only public universities that offers glassblowing. And then we have a local hot shop hot glass academy, and then one in acworth. But we also manufacture the equipment,” said Sunni Zemblowski, operations manager of Mobile Glassblowing Studios.
“We always get tons of compliments from the community on how interesting it is, and seeing all the artists and how they make it different from one another,” said John Shoemaker, a glass artist.
Several visitors have returned each year and they say the community engagement and the chance to taste original Georgia craft beer keeps them coming back.
“It’s fascinating, watching them blow it and shape it and do what they do with the glass. It’s pretty spectacular what they do,” said LeeAnn Farr, a visitor.
“Very important, it brings a visual element. It also brings you in contact with stuff you don’t normally see such as glassblowing,” said Fran Bauer, a visitor.
One Georgia brewer says he can see the impact small towns have.
“Well I’ve heard people from Illinois, people from Alabama, and even some artists from Utah. So it’s pretty interesting how such a small festival is drawing people from so far away,” said Brian Whitley, brewmaster at Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen.
“It’s important that we support local and shop local. That we think of our local artists as actually artists because that’s what they are and to not be overlooked. Sometimes it’s easy to go outside the community and find someone that does the exact same thing,” said Diadra Powell, city manager.
The city hopes to bring new artists to this event and encourage people to support locally owned breweries and the glass to put on the event. Georgia has expanded to 155 craft breweries.
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