2025 International Flameworking Conference
MARCH 21st - 23rd, 2025
Save the date! The 2025 International Flameworking Conference will be held March 21 - 23! Stay tuned for more information!
(Information below is from the 2024 International Flameworking Conference.)
Each spring, Salem Community College hosts the International Flameworking Conference (IFC), a three-day event that promotes excellence in flameworking through artist demonstrations and scholarly presentations. The weekend attracts glass artists and enthusiasts from around the nation and world. Salem Community College and the SCC Foundation are indebted to distinguished members of the glass art community who have graciously shared their talents at the IFC.
The 2024 International Flameworking Conference at Salem Community College (SCC) will be the 22nd installment of this nationally and internationally attended event that celebrates excellence in the glass-working process known as flameworking. In 2024, the conference will continue its core mission of education, and in the promotion of the techniques and its practitioners. The weekend includes a film screening, presentations, demonstrations, exhibits, and vendor displays.
Mathieu Grodet
Mathieu Grodet is a glassblower, flameworker, and illustrator born in Orleans, France. He currently lives and works out of his studio in Killaloe, Canada creating pieces that bring the past of glass together with themes of the present using traditional techniques with a modern twist. He marries and reconstructs form, function, and design with an aim to create discussion. Mathieu also lectures and teaches glassblowing, flameworking, and enameling techniques. His recent workshops and demonstrations have included cities in China, Japan, Turkey, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. His work is in private collections across Europe and North America and can be seen at the Corning Museum of Glass and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Artist Statement:
Through my work, I am attempting to be a witness of our times, to testify and to reflect the absurdity of the world around us. With my glass practice, I create small tales, sceneries and anecdotes to speak to our common thread and history with a view to social, political and cultural issues.
Many aspects of society celebrate the grand, the biggest and the fastest, but with murrine, it is a slow and intricate process that creates diminutive pieces. Small does not mean of lesser importance or relevance - petite objects can bring a sense of intimacy - not just by the virtue of size, but our relation and response to them. The small objects are remarkable because not only can we touch them or secret them away but also carry them with us - physically and emotionally. And for these times, keep these memories always close.
I use a variety of techniques and materials that combine the ancient glass practice of murrine with that of current methods. Combining modern graphic design imagery with historic glass techniques. I endeavor to explore the conversation between the old and the new hoping to fix the present and make it last forever.
Demonstrating Artists
Each year, Salem Community College invites artist from all around the world to demonstrate their techniques. Guests will have a chance to get an in-depth look at how each artist creates their glass art. Check out this years line up.
Presentation and Film Screening
Join us Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Davidow Theater for a presentation for our opening evening program with curator, speaker, and advocate for artists, Susie Silbert; and a screening of filmmaker Dan Collins' latest documentary, "Paul Stankard: Flower & Flame".
Gather 'n' Glass: IFC Dinner Party
Saturday, March 16th, 5:30 - 10:30 pm
@ Maria's by Di Paolo's Restaurant
72 N. Virginia Ave. Penns Grove, NJ 08069
$65 per person, pre-registration ends March 4th.
After March 4th, call 856-351-2234 for availability.
Join your fellow flameworkers and flameworking enthusiasts for a casual community gathering on the evening of Saturday, March 16th! Advanced registration by March 4th is required. A delicious spread of snacks, followed by a buffet style meal, and dessert created by the incredible Di Paulo's Italian Restaurant is included! A cash bar will be available. This is a great opportunity to congregate and socialize with the amazing flameworking community attending this year's event! We hope to see you there! Be sure to register by March 4th.
5:30 - 10:30: Spend time with new friends and old! Cash bar (closes at 10:00)
5:30 - 6:30: Doors Open - Bar Opens - Social Hour
6:30 - 7:30: Appetizer Hour
7:30 - 10:00: Dinner & Dessert
Dinner includes Hot & Cold Beverages, Garlic & Rosemary Ciabatta Rolls/Dinner Rolls/Club Rolls, Mixed Green Tossed Salad, Classic Romaine Caesar Salad, Gnocchi Gorgonzola, Chicken Marsala, Hot Roast Beef Au Jus, Roasted Scottish Salmon with Shrimp, Eggplant Parmigiano, Roasted Vegetable Medley, Assorted Mini Pastries & Brownies.
IFC Information
The International Flameworking Conference returns to Salem Community College’s Samuel and Jean Jones Glass Education Center.
- Friday, March 21
- Saturday, March 22 - Glass Education Center
- Sunday, March 23 - Glass Education Center