Glass artist Gene Hester, the owner of Genesis Art Glass Studio, creates his unique pieces from fused kilnformed glass. "Kilnformed glass is a process where two layers of glass (usually clear on the bottom and colored glass on top) are fired to 14800º and melt together," Hester explains. "A second firing to 1350º allows the glass to slump by heat and gravity into a stainless steel form."
Hester has been awarded a number of commissions for residential, commercial and liturgical projects. With fellow Archway artist Liz Conces Spencer, he recently received a commission for the Flores Public Library. Hester has studied at the Bullseye Glass Company in Portland, Oregon, and with American masters Gil Reynolds and Dan Fenton. His exhibitions include shows at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and San Antonio School of Arts and Crafts.
"I have been fusing and slumping glass for over 23 years," Hester says. "I am sole proprietor of Genesis Art Glass Studio. A commission studio specializing in stained glass doors and windows and fused glass bowls and plates. I am in my 33rd year of building stained glass panels for residential, commercial and liturgical projects. All of my works are original designs created and fabricated by myself."
