Nestled in the heart of Carlsbad Village drive is a small business that blows tourists and locals alike away, literally. Barrio Glassworks is not a typical art studio; it’s a living realm of creativity that transforms molten glass into magic right before customers’ eyes.
From the moment you find yourself inside Barrio Glassworks, waves of heat and color surrounds. The hot furnaces juxtapose the cool tones of the vases, bowls, and ornaments curated in blues, greens, and purples, setting the tone for an environment that breaks all the rules. Each piece begins with molten glass heated to over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, spun and sculpted from the bottom up with patience and precision.
Barrio Glassworks is the vision of Mary Devlin, who grew up in the Mission Hills neighborhood of San Diego. As the family spent time with glassblowers in Seattle’s glass community, Mary soon developed a passion all her own.
Devlin is now partnered with Gary Raskin, who brings over 35 years of entrepreneurship, business management and retail experience to the venture. After retiring in 2015, Raskin joined his glassblowing family by enrolling in Palomar College glass classes.
Bruce Tines, an employee at Barrio Glassworks, delves into what he thinks separates this studio from others.
“Besides working with hot glass, you work with many different artists and they all work together to make one piece and that concept can be put into your everyday life,” Tines said.
Collaboration is essential to the art form, where individuals bring their unique skills and perspectives to create something greater.
“Blow Your Own Glass” days are available for all artists and allow customers to work with glass instructors to create their own unique pieces.
Taryn Jayne, one of the visiting artists and instructors for the “Make Your Own” days, talks about glassblowing in her eyes.
“It keeps you on your toes and no matter how long you’ve been doing it, it can always go wrong,” said Jayne.
Having such unpredictability demonstrates how the craft makes it both challenging and exciting.
Beyond the art itself, Barrio Glassworks has become a vibrant part of the Carlsbad arts scene. The studio frequently hosts events, showcases local artists and offers demonstrations that draw crowds from all over San Diego County.
Cessna Alphie, a local artist who enjoys using Barrio’s studio, is from Orange County.
“I’m primarily drawn by color and pattern, and then I will think about the form that would display it best,” said Alphie
In a quaint little town known for its sunshine, Barrio Glassworks is bringing a new kind of heat to Carlsbad. The local glassblowing shop is sure to continue celebrating art, craft and community for many years to come.
