As one of the lead glassblowers at the Springfield Hot Glass studio, Gabriel Bloodworth spends most of his days slaving away in the heat of the ovens and furnaces working on his masterpieces.

His job as the studio’s hot shop manager keeps him on his toes as he creates work to sell and conducts classes to the public. Bloodworth also participates in traveling art displays around the Midwest to show his work and to promote Springfield Hot Glass, which is becoming a hot spot for Springfieldians of all ages to come and learn a new trade.

Bloodworth spoke with The Scoop recently about why he chose to get into glassblowing and what exactly goes down at Springfield Hot Glass.

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How did you get your start as a glassblower and what got you interested in it to begin with?

My father, Terry Bloodworth, is a 36-year glassblower. He started as a production glassblower at Silver Dollar City many years ago, and I started helping him when I was 15. Since I was raised around it because of my dad, I always had an interest. I have also worked with the Corning Museum of Glass and the Pilchuck Glass School.

How did Springfield Hot Glass get its start, and how long has it been around?

My dad and I started Springfield Hot Glass on March 5, 2003, after expressed interest from the community in glassblowing. We mainly create wholesale work for galleries, art shows, and offer classes.

Can you tell me a little about what types of classes are offered, when, to whom, and the prices? What goes on in the classes?

There are four different classes we offer: furnace glass blowing, furnace paperweight, glass bead making, and glass fusing. Each of them is offered at a set time each week with their own prices and lessons; all of the information about the classes is on our website.

Do you have any special events coming up?

I, personally, will be doing multiple art shows around the Midwest area, but will not know the exact schedule of dates until the jury process is finished between the venues. As far as the studio is concerned, we participate monthly in Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk festivities — the next one will be on March 6.