Newcomer adds glass works to local art scene

Newcomer to Bismarck, Charles Van Zee, has merged his education experience and passion for glass art into an opportunity for local North Dakotans.

Originally from Seattle, Van Zee has been creating glass art since 2007 after taking two weekend seminars at the Pratt School of Design.

Van Zee was exposed to a similar art from an early age by his mother, who owned a ceramics studio.

He uses the same method of using a kiln to make glass art that his mother used for her art.

Ive always wanted to work with glass, and I grew up around kilns, so it was natural to me, Van Zee said.

After spending the early years experimenting with different artistic styles, Van Zee developed his own.

His work replicates nature with geometric patterns and various texturizing techniques.

Most of his nature-inspired works come from the landscape of Washington, but, since moving to North Dakota, he has fashioned one piece that replicates the rolling plains and another piece that resembles tangled underbrush.

Its 50 percent artistic and its 50 percent technical, Van Zee said. Depending on how you program your kiln, the glass can have different texturizing.

His traditional pieces include sun catchers and bowls, which are on display at Impact Gallery on Broadway Avenue.

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Newcomer adds glass works to local art scene