Teens learn how to "pull" glass

Visually Impaired Teenagers create glass masterpieces

Five Transition Program students from Independence for the Blind participated in a glass pulling workshop at the Belmont Arts and Cultural Center (BACC) in downtown Pensacola Saturday February 28. Each student created three glass “flowers”: two flowers for themselves, and the 3rd flower was auctioned at IB West’s main fundraiser, the Eye Ball.

Pictured above and below: Kim and Scott explain

the glass pulling process to the group.

BACC volunteer Scott and Kim led the workshop and began the day by explaining the complete process to the students. Scott instructed each student to feel hardened glass flower pieces at different stages so they could understand the process of making a blob of glass turn into artwork.

Pictured above: Scott pushes the melted glass into a flat circle, preparing it to be pulled into a flower.

The students chose a color, and then used large metal “tweezers” to pull the molten glass into different shapes, with the end product being beautiful abstract glass flowers.

Pictured below: each student takes their turn

creating beautiful, colorful, and unique glass flowers.

Pictured below: Scott pulls the "stem"

of the flower and adds the finishing touches

before placing it into a freezer to harden.

The goal of the Transition Program is to prepare blind and visually impaired teenagers age 14 to 22 years for college or entering the workforce by training them in the following areas: assistive technology, communications skills, independent living, and vocational training, such as career exploration, resume writing, job search techniques, interviewing skills, and how to disclose your disability to employers. Independence for the Blind is working to prepare these teens so they do not join the large group of unemployed visually impaired adults.
Pictured above: New IB staff Leigh Hoskins, at the Belmont Arts and Cultural Center.

Leigh Hoskins, a new addition to the staff at IB West, knows first hand what these teens experience daily. Before losing her eyesight almost two years ago, the mother of three worked as a pre-school teacher. In early 2007 she began noticing changes in her vision, which quickly progressed to almost complete loss of sight. Hoskins contacted the Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS) and applied for services. Eventually she was referred to IB West for training in daily living skills and assistive technology. Hoskins was motivated to get back in the workforce and learned quickly. When a position opened, Hoskins was a natural candidate and was offered the job. Hoskins is an inspiration and role model to our students because she did not let vision loss take control of her life and how she was going to live it.

Next Saturday, the Transition Students will be visiting the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Panama City for dance lessons, so stay tuned for updates!