Art of Glass

Glass blown tobacco pipes in Burlington, Vermont has become a sensation amongst the locals and tourists

Story and photos by Jeremy Fisher

Magnificent colors blend seemingly into one another, forming bizarre but beautiful designs and patterns. There are astounding shapes and sizes that look familiar yet strange and range from massive sizes to tiny. Every tiny detail looks as if it took years to create, and you realize that this is not ordinary art.

The Bern Gallery in Burlington, Vermont is certainly not your traditional art gallery.  Here you will find exquisite glass-blown pieces that would impress almost anyone. However, it is not your traditional glass art studio as well, which would have vases, cups, beads and sculptures. This is because every piece of art in The Bern Gallery is a pipe, made for tobacco smoking.

A resident glass artist who goes by the name “B3NJ4MIN” explains that the art created by himself and others at the Bern Gallery does not have to be just a decoration. “Its art that you don't have to just look at,” said B3NJ4MIN. “Our pipes are made to not only look good but to work well when you use it for tobacco smoking.”

Paul Skaperdas, a University of Vermont student and resident of Burlington, is a frequent visitor of The Bern Gallery. “These people are amazing artists with such a tremendous talent,” said Skaperdas. “Every time I come here, I am always blown away by something new.”  Theo Rusnack, a visitor of Burlington from Long Island says “There is definitely a sort of of hippie vibe in this town so it is not surprise their head shops are pretty important.”

“Every time I come here, I am always blown away by something new.” 

The Bern Gallery, along with many other shops that sell tobacco pipes, has become part of the unique culture that is Burlington. “It is a laid back city with a good mix of college kids and locals,” said Skaperdas. It is no surprise that pipe making and glassblowing is popular combination in Burlington.

Glassblowers train for years to develop the precision that is needed to perfect the art of flaming and shaping glass pieces. Jason Gordon, head glass artist at The Bern Gallery and founder of Live Free Designs, has been making glass products for years. “There are not too many colleges that offer glassblowing as a major,” said Gordon. “Many people such as me learn the trade in garages and basements.”

Time, patience and endurance are involved when making a glass pipe at The Bern Gallery. According to Gordon, making a product can take a blower a couple of minutes to an hour, depending on the size and detail. When making a glass pipe, it can be uncomfortable and dangerous for the blower. “We work two feet in front of a 3,000 degree flame that almost matches the sun’s rays,” said Gordon. “You can get severely burned or develop skin cancer when working.”

"We’ve had blowers from as far as Oregon come and compete.”

Glassblowing has existed since ancient Mesopotamians discovered that mixing sand, minerals, and heat could create glass that can be blown into different shapes and sizes. This art form has continued as an occupation and hobby through out history and has had blowers produce endless varieties of products, including pipes made at the Bern Gallery.

Though there are many traditional glassblowing competitions across the country, not many allow pipe making. This is why every fall, The Bern Gallery holds The Pipe Classic in September, where glassblowers across the country come and show off their pipe making skills. “It’s not just locals who compete; we’ve had blowers from as far as Oregon come and compete,” said Gordon. Another unique aspect of the competition is that anyone who signs up can become a judge of the Pipe Classic.

What do you think of glass art?