It has been over three years since the phenomenal launch of Blown Away on Netflix and now we’re back for Season 3! Joining host Nick Uhas and resident evaluator Katherine Gray, are 10 new contestants all competing to be crowned Best in Glass and awarded the coveted Blown Away Residency at The Corning Museum of Glass.
Join us as we check in with this season’s glassblowers to find out what makes the show so special.
What expectations did you have going into season 3?
“In all honesty, I didn’t expect to go as far as I did, especially with the all-star lineup they had this Season.” Trenton Quiocho – Tacoma, Washington (IG: amocat_lowlife)
“I expected the challenges to be tough and the competition even tougher! However, as I have never experienced anything like this before, I didn’t really know what or how anything would pan out! Watching the previous two seasons could only give me a small insight as to what was to be expected when actually appearing on the show.” Madeleine Hughes – Brighton, United Kingdom (IG: maddy_h_glass)
“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect! Many of the expectations I did have were wrong, so much goes into making television!” Dan Friday – Seattle, Washington (IG: danfriday)
“I expected to be a bit of a wild card in the show as my work is very conceptually heavy and I am not a glass sculptor which is predominately the kind of work that is made on Blown Away. I wasn’t sure how that was going to pan out for me, but I think it worked to my advantage in a lot of ways. I also expected the hot shop to act as a cray cray pressure cooker physically and emotionally which was also accurate.” Grace Whiteside – Brooklyn, New York (IG: graciewhiteside)
“I wanted the chance to show my artwork to a broader audience. Since I have mainly focused on my job for the past few years, my artistic career kinda took a back seat. I hoped that being on Blown Away would reignite the spark in me to make new work and focus myself as an artist.” John Sharvin – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (IG: yeahsharvin)
“That it was going to be challenging and a great opportunity.” Brenna Baker – Hollywood, Florida (IG: brennabakerglass)
“I was just excited to participate in this phenomenon that has been a welcome uptick in our artform. I had anticipation of what the challenges would bring to my personal growth and this reenergized my approach to the material as a lifelong glassmaker. I’ve always been one to push the material and myself.” Rob Stern – Miami, Florida (IG: robsternartglass)
“Being on a set was a new experience for me. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to concentrate on what I was making. But the crew and staff gave us all the space and information we needed to work and be creative.” Claire Kelly – Corning, New York (IG: clairekellyglass)
“Honestly, I was not sure what to expect. I was hoping that I would be able to stay true to my work throughout the competition and do well. But man, that was an intense group of competitors! It was definitely intimidating to see all of those names and faces and know what they are capable of. I hope that this season offers even more opportunities for the glassmakers, and it continues to introduce this art form to more and more people around the world.” John Moran – Ghent, Belgium (IG: johnsleepymoran)
“I’m not exactly sure what I expected when I went into Season 3, but I will say, there isn’t anything that can really prepare you for that experience. My goal in taking this opportunity was to be vulnerable, face my fears, and have fun in the hot shop. I wanted to have the opportunity to expand on my hot sculpting skillset and the flexibility to let my imagination run wild.” Minhi England – Seattle, Washington (IG: m.i.n.h.i)
What was your most memorable experience from this season?
“The most memorable experience from this season was when Dan Friday gave me his glass bear adornment as a parting gift. A big Hy’Shqe to Dan Friday for that!” Trenton Quiocho
“My most memorable experience was getting to meet such amazingly talented artists and work alongside them all in such a large and impressive hot shop. Although we were competing against each other, there was a real sense of camaraderie between all the contestants, for example when everyone clapped and cheered as John Moran’s impressive piece he had been working on for the whole hot shop session came off the iron and was being put in the annealer to cool.” Madeleine Hughes
“When we (all the artists) finished just under the wire, I was so stoked for everyone! We spent a lot of time together!” Dan Friday
“The entire ‘7 Deadly Sins’ challenge was a highlight for me. I took a risk and made some really experimental work that ended up sealing the deal with a win along with a residency to Pilchuck. In that interview, I also did an ASMR performance with a bag of chips. I haven’t seen the show yet so I am not sure if it made the cut, but it would be a shame for everyone involved if they didn’t.” Grace Whiteside
“Team John was a lot of fun! Working with John Moran on the team challenge was definitely the most fun I had in the hot shop.” John Sharvin
“The most memorable part of the experience for me was the amazing connections I was able to make with my fellow cast members. Each and every person on the show is an incredible artist and person and now friend.” Brenna Baker
“The most memorable experience was getting hit with a challenge that struck a nerve, and which caused me to react in a very personal way to express my deepest emotions through my art.” Rob Stern
“Finally seeing who else was going to be with me in the competition. When I saw some familiar faces, I was at first surprised and then really nervous!” Claire Kelly
“The biggest thing I took away from this experience is the amazing community we are a part of. Even though it was a competition, we all supported each other: conceptually, emotionally, and technically. We had so many amazing experiences together outside of the hot shop. Also, I think we collectively shared some of the best food I have had in my life! Who knew Hamilton was such an amazing place to eat?!?!” John Moran
“The most memorable experience from this season was the countdown. Every time they did a countdown, “Glassblowers are you ready…?” John Moran and I would run into each other EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. It always made for a good laugh.” Minhi England
What’s next for you?
“I’m not sure what’s next for me. I will continue on my path as an artist and hope that new opportunities present themselves.” Trenton Quiocho
“Introducing… ‘Maddy’s Sweet Shop’! I am launching my latest body of work that I have been developing since the filming of BA3. Inspired by my creation of the gumball machine in episode one, I am recreating the sweets of your past, bringing up all those nostalgic memories! I also plan to apply for hot shop residences to expand and realise my work on larger scales and to meet and work with other exciting and talented artists and makers.” Madeleine Hughes
“Just staying in my lane and keep making my artwork.” Dan Friday
“Well, I’m planning to take some improv classes in the fall, and I would really like it if someone took me to a puppet show… But other than that, I have a few really exciting collaborations and products coming out this fall with my glassware line Sticky Glass (stickyglass.com, @getstickyglass). I’ll also be doing a strange demo/performance/MC hosting gig at my home studio, UrbanGlass for their yearly Gala this October. I am planning a new performance that I will be working through at my Pilchuck Residency in May of 2023 followed by a 10-day performance workshop I’ll be teaching there as well. And most importantly, spending a whole lotta snuggle time with my sweet puppy dog, Jo Bean.” Grace Whiteside
“I have decided to pursue art full time and dedicate my focus to glass making. It has been a very difficult decision to leave the comfortable nest of employment but something I learned from Blown Away was that you can’t achieve great things unless you get out there and take some risks!” John Sharvin
“With my personal work, I’m going to focus on directional flow design with large-scale glass art installations. I am also looking forward to continuing to share the gift of glass through our Hot Glass Class program. Follow our progress on our Instagram @HollywoodHotGlass and @BrennaBakerGlass and our website.” Brenna Baker
“Who knows what’s really next, but I will say that this experience broadened my approach to what is possible in the future. Its starts with goals and I think I need to tie my performance roots into my approach to glassmaking even more than I have before. Take it to the people!” Rob Stern
“I am very lucky to be able to make my art and show with my galleries internationally. I have been working on some new work and this might be a good time to debut it!” Claire Kelly
“I am still figuring that out. I wish I knew…Hopefully only good things!” John Moran
“I have quite a few things lined up for me in the coming months. I am heading to Pilchuck Glass School in August to take a class on campus for the first time! I’ll be expanding on my studies in neon with artist Michael Flechtner. This is super exciting since neon is still a very new technique for me. I’ll be doing a hot glass demonstration here in Seattle for Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience in October. After that, there will be some events/residencies featuring me at Pittsburgh Glass Center later this year where I will have the opportunity to collaborate with a couple of the other contestants from Season 3. That residency is going to roll out into an exhibition which is set to open on Feb. 1st. Shortly after, my best friend/collaborative partner and I will be opening up an immersive gallery installation titled, “Delectable” in Seattle at Method Gallery, in March of 2023. There is a lot on my plate, but I am so thrilled to place my focus on my artistic practice!” Minhi England
All three seasons of Blown Away are now available to stream on Netflix!
Artwork by all of this season’s contestants will soon be on view at The Corning Museum of Glass, along with the winner’s final installation.
If Blown Away has given you the glass bug, then stop by the Museum this year – the International Year of Glass – to explore all that glass has to offer. With exhibits, demonstrations, and Make Your Own Glass experiences, you won’t want to miss out!