Darien Man has ‘Art’ of Glass

A dabbler in the arts from as far back as he can remember, Patrick Frost found his true calling when he took his first course in glass blowing while in college.

“I took the class on a whim,” the Darien native of more than 20 years said. “And it was awesome. But that seems to be the story for many glass artists. They have never really heard of it or tried it and then as soon as they do it becomes and instant love affair.”

These days, Frost, 26, shows and sells his work at retail outlets in Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio and Kentucky. He also does commission work and personal sales. Frost likes to make new series of work for each year, as well as make limited production items, special editions and one-of-a-kind pieces.

He said glass work as a process is challenging and requires practice and study to be able to work the glass in a natural and efficient manner.

Much of his work includes interior pieces for the home, including centerpieces, lighting and tableware.

“Some of it’s functional, and some of it’s simply decorative,” Frost said.
He credits his artistic talent to his mother, who is an elementary school art teacher.

“Growing up I did a lot of drawing,” Frost said. “I also did painting and ceramics and computer graphics. Basically I dabbled in everything.”

Frost spent this past winter in Alaska as an assistant for Czech glass sculptor Martin Janecky, helping him create pieces for a show held in February. The two initially met a few years ago when Frost took a class of Janecky’s. They became friends and Frost began working for him occasionally during Janecky’s travels to the U.S.

When he’s not traveling, Frost is designing and creating glasswork for his shows.
Over the years, his work has earned him some recognition, including an Artist in Residence Award at Neusole Glassworks in Cincinnati and the Collectors Choice Award from the Marx Saunders Gallery in Chicago.

His experience in the field is vast, and includes studying and working with master glass blowers from Italy, Czech Republic and the U.S., working and demonstrating at many prestigious glass and craft centers such as Corning Museum of Glass in New York, Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, Pilchuck Glass School in Washington, the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee and the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion in Ohio.

In what little spare time he has, Frost likes to do remodeling work.

“Basically if I’m not working I’m looking for work to do,” he said.

Frost doesn’t know if he’ll always live in Darien, but while he’s away on travels he looks forward to his return to the city.

“It’s nice to come home,” he said.

For anyone interested in seeing glassblowing first hand, Frost suggests trying a workshop at Prodigy Glassworks in Oak Park where some of his glass work is featured, or Chicago Hot Glass in Chicago. The Hidden Gardens in Willowbrook is also currently carrying some of Frost’s seasonal items.

For more information Frost, visit frostglass.com.