Join Tyler Glass for an in-person lecture with alumnus James Labold, who will speak about his work, then give a hot glass blow mold demo with a discussion of his lost wax process. The lecture will be from 12 - 1 p.m. and the demo will be from 1 - 3 p.m.

Labold is a glass sculptor whose practice ranges from the ancient techniques of lost wax casting and glassblowing to the contemporary 3D printing and digital manipulation. Inspired by the high culture of classical sculpture as much as the low culture of dollar store holiday decorations, Labold creates glass and mixed media work to explore the connections between national identity, consumer culture, and mythology through objects and installation.

Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, he spent childhood summers visiting Philadelphia’s museums with his grandmother, colonial era historical sites, New Jersey boardwalks, and a theme park based on candy bars. These were all critical to his development as an artist.

He received his BFA from Tyler School of Art in 2004 and after briefly relocating to Arizona, James called Philadelphia home for the better part of a decade. In 2015 he received his MFA in Glass at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. James’ work has been included in New Glass Review in 2010,2015, and 2018. He has been Artist in Residence at Salem State University's Rosenberg Residency and Starworks Center for Creative Enterprises in Star, NC. He was selected for the Glass Art Society's 2016 Saxe Emerging Artist Award and lectured at their 2016 conference in Corning, NY. He has led workshops at universities and public glass studios throughout the U.S. as well as the International Summer Academy Bild-Werk Frauenau, Germany.

Labold currently lives and works in Philadelphia, while also teaching glass at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland.

Supported by the Laurie Wagman Fund in Glass Art at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture.

Image: Courtesy of the artist.