glass
enameling
27
This glass flameworking artist shows that The Crucible is where the student becomes the teacher Story and photos by Cathy Niland
A
s C’Zarriah Davis-Smith turns on the gas line and gathers her glass frit, a sense of calm falls over the flameworking studio. It’s a feeling often found in the presence of someone who loves what they do. And 18-year-old C’Zarriah loves working in glass. Just over three years ago, when C’Zarriah was still a sophomore at Oakland Tech, she visited The Crucible for one of our four annual Field Trip Days. During Crucible Field Trips, Oakland public school students visit our studio for a free day of live, interactive demonstrations in departments like blacksmithing, welding, woodworking, and glass flameworking. For many students, including C’Zarriah, it’s their first exposure to the industrial arts. At Oakland Tech, C’Zarriah studied drawing and painting, but her visit to The Crucible made her see artmaking in a new way. “That field trip to The Crucible changed my perspective on art,”
22 THE CRUCIBLE magazine 2022
C’Zarriah explains. “I thought I could only do 2D art, more traditional art. It didn't cross my mind that I could do industrial art like flameworking or glass blowing.” Shortly after her first visit to The Crucible, C’Zarriah learned about available scholarship opportunities for Oakland youth. With support from The Crucible’s scholarship program, she registered for her first class, Youth Glass Flameworking. She couldn’t wait to get started on her new creative journey. “Trying a new medium where you don't know anything or how to best approach it is exciting. My first summer at The Crucible, I discovered that I really, really enjoy flameworking, more than just a hobby. It makes me happy!” Despite having never worked behind a torch before, her instructors were immediately impressed with her drive and commitment to improving. Crucible staff encouraged C’Zarriah to apply for our
glass blowing
29
