The evolution of artist David Kolasky

& CENTER The evolution of artist David Kolasky

By Mala Blomquist

David Kolasky wasn’t sure what to expect when he moved his family from Philadelphia, PA, to accept a hospital administration position in Toledo, OH, in the early 1980s. But what was supposed to be a two-year stint turned into 30, and it was there that he discovered the medium that ignited his passion as an artist.

Toledo earned its nickname of “The Glass City” in the early 1900s because it was a manufacturing hub across the glass industry – bottles, window glass, tableware, windshields and construction materials.

Glassmaker Edward Drummond Libbey founded the

Toledo Museum of Art in 1901and it quickly amassed several significant glass collections. Today, the museum’s

American glass collections are one of the largest of its kind and contain objects of exceptional quality of historical importance.

A significant component of the museum is also community education, some of that being through art classes. It was there that David took his first glass blowing class.

“I spent a lot of time there,” says David. “They built a glass pavilion, where all the walls in the facility are glass.

So you can see what people are doing (making glass objects). It was just a remarkable place.”

David also got into a glass blowing program at Bowling

Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. BGSU was one of the first glass programs in a university in the

United States.

“I would go down there two to three times a week, and there was always an empty space to blow, and I would

& blow a couple of things,” says David. “It was CENTER and I go there every day,” he says. “It’s fun a community. If someone needed help (with a working in the garage. The door is open, and piece of glass), we would help each other. It was people are coming up and down the alleyway, such a different community than I grew up in, in and they’ll stop and watch.” my button-down world of hospital administration.” David says that the other day two women stopped and

David would sell his glass at various art shows across asked him what he was doing. He replied that he was the Midwest, including the prestigious Ann Arbor Art making some bowls and that they happened to be for sale. Fair. When one of the women said that she would buy one of

“I did that for a number of years, and I was able to buy the bowls, David told her that they were 10% off if she a MINI Cooper – it was my midlife crisis,” jokes David. bought two or more – so she bought both of them. “But then we moved here to Portland, and I couldn’t find He jokes that he enjoys schmoozing with people and a community to blow glass in.” would notice when he did art shows that many artists

David and his wife, Betsy, a retired teacher, moved would not interact with the people. to Portland in 2013 to be closer to their daughter Dr. “My feeling is people are buying the art, but they’re Rebecca Spain and their two (now three) grandchildren. also buying you, where the art comes from and who made Their other daughter Maggie is in the fashion industry it,” says David. “And they’ll tell their friends, ‘Look at and lives in Australia. what I bought at the art show, and I met the artist who

In search of a new creative medium in their new home, made it,’ and they have a little story. It all goes together.” David discovered ceramics at the Multnomah Arts In Portland, David is part of the ORA: Northwest Center. Jewish Artists, which have art shows at the Mittleman

“I basically do sculptural work. I take nothing away Jewish Community Center (they have done online shows from the people that turn and make these marvelous during the pandemic). He jokes that some of his art isn’t things on the wheel. But it takes years to become welcome at the shows. proficient, and I’m 79 – I don’t have that many years to “It’s been a tough sell with the Jewish artists here in become proficient,” says David. “Plus, I enjoy the more town when I say I’m going to bring a bunch of knives abstract form – nothing functional. Things I make are to the Hanukkah show,” he jokes. “They’re beautiful, but designs to put on your mantelpiece.” they say, ‘No, knives are not art,’ and I say, ‘Everything is

David says that during the pandemic, he has continued art. Anything is art.’” to work on his ceramics in his basement. He also He learned metalwork in Toledo and goes to a discovered a new art form – woodworking. blacksmith in Vancouver, WA, to make his knives. He

“I bought a lathe and put it in my daughter’s garage, also learned welding from the same person in Toledo who taught him knifemaking, and he has used that skill to make stands for his glass pieces. When you ask him, David responds that glass blowing is still his favorite medium. “There’s something sensuous about it – it glows, it shines, it’s translucent, or it’s clear – you can’t get that with any other medium,” says David. “And the other thing is, you rarely get any second chances. There’s an immediacy to it, and it’s exciting.” David says that he might like to try bronze casting next but jokes that that may be the end of his 53-year marriage. Part of the problem he says may be that whenever he picks up a new art form, he doesn’t get rid of any previous ones. “It’s just great fun. I’m happy I evolved into this, and I’m looking forward to the next evolution of David Kolasky.”

Glassblowing remains David’s favorite medium.

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