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 2025 International Flameworking Conference at Salem Community College (SCC) will be the 23rd installment of this nationally and internationally attended event that celebrates excellence in the glass-working process known as flameworking. In 2025, the conference will continue its core mission of education, and in the promotion of the techniques and its practitioners. The weekend gathering of the international flameworking community includes presentations, demonstrations, exhibits, and vendor displays.
This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, through the Salem County Board of Commissioners, and Salem County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Kentaro Yanagi
Kentaro Yanagi was born in Tokyo in 1969. His father passed away due to illness when Mr. Yanagi was just five months old, and afterward his family moved frequently. Due to having only few friends in his youth, he often played alone. At that young age, he would go to the next town by bicycle once a month to buy plastic models at a toy store. Yanagi became fascinated by the assembly of such models, to the extent that he would forget to eat meals. He could complete the model assemblies quite quickly - whereupon, he would purposely break the models apart and repeatedly reassemble them into totally different forms.
In 1990, Yanagi was greatly impacted when he saw an art nouveau lamp exhibition, and decided that he would make glasswork his lifetime occupation. Just as a child might draw a picture exactly as they wished in a sketchbook, he felt that he wanted to be able to manipulate glass precisely as he wished. He desired to learn the techniques for creating the things he imagined. Since then, in order to garner experience in the glass working field, Yanagi has changed jobs as a craftsman several times.
In 2005, Yanagi opened a private studio, and began working as an artist. The original style which he ultimately developed is, in a way, like plastic models without blueprints - as if his childhood play has been transformed directly into glass. Hidden in the sophistication of the works are a craftsman's techniques which no one can duplicate. One characteristic of his creations is "moveable glass". People often chuckle despite themselves when they see the pieces which have the unwritten message, "Dedicated to all the men out there who never grew up". Underlying the artist's works are messages of sociality, love, etc., though children can also fully enjoy them. The pieces have a mysterious ability to be able to pull one in, and bring happiness to one's heart. We might even say they are full smiles and laughter.
Demonstrators
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.
Presentations
Don't miss Laura Donefer during our expanded Friday program at the Glass Education Center!
Join us Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Davidow Theater for our opening evening program with presentations from Bandhu Dunham and Floor Kaspers!
Saturday's program will include the opportunity hear from Meghan Bunnell, Buyer at the Corning Museum of Glass!
The Silica Soirée: IFC Dinner Party
Saturday, March 22nd, 5:30 - 10:30 PM
The Pureland Ballroom @ The Holiday Inn
1 Pureland Dr. Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Add-On Event, Advanced Registration Required
Join your fellow flameworkers and flameworking enthusiasts for a casual community gathering on the evening of Saturday, March 22nd! A delicious buffet style dinner is included and 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!
Advanced registration required. Limited number of tickets available.
5:30 - 6:30: Doors Open - Bar Opens - Social Hour
6:30 - 8:00: Dinner & Dessert
8:00 - 10:30: Fun with Friends!
Dinner Includes:
Assorted Diet and Regular Soft Drinks, Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee, Assorted Herbal Tea and Iced Tea.
Freshly Baked Rolls and Whipped Butter, Crisp Garden Salad with House Dressing, Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Polynesian Style Spare Ribs, Hawaiian Chicken Breast, Island Style Teriyaki Beef Skewers, Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Mango Salsa, Vegetable Egg Rolls, Steamed Seasoned Rice, and Stir Fry Vegetables.
Coconut Cake and Pineapple Upside Down Cake for Dessert.
The International Flameworking Conference returns to Salem Community College’s Samuel and Jean Jones Glass Education Center.
- Friday, March 21
Glass Education Center
1:00 PM - Registration Opens
2:00 PM - Lucio Bubacco Demo (Italy)
4:00 PM - Laura Donefer Presentation (Canada/USA)
Davidow Hall Theater
6:30 PM - Presentations from Bandhu Dunham (US) and Floor Kaspers (Netherlands)
- Saturday, March 22
Glass Education Center
8:00 AM - Doors Open, Breakfast
8:30 AM - Featured Artist: Kentaro Yanagi Demo (Japan)
10:30 AM - Break
11:00 AM - Michał Adamski Demo (Poland)
12:30 PM - Lunch (Available 12:00 - 1:30)
1:30 PM - Meghan Bunnell Presentation (US)
2:30 PM - Break
3:00 PM - Lacey Walton Demo (US) - 5:30 PM - Silica Soirée: IFC Dinner Party
(Advanced Registration Required)
Holiday Inn Pureland Ballroom
1 Pureland Dr. Swedesboro, NJ 08085
- Sunday, March 23
Glass Education Center
8:00 AM - Doors Open, Breakfast
8:30 AM - Lucie Kovarova-Weir Demo (Canada)
10:00 AM - Break
10:30 AM - Eunsuh Choi Demo (US)
12:00 PM - Lunch (available 11:30 - 1:00)
1:00 PM - Kamila Mróz Demo (Poland)
2:30 PM - Break
3:00 PM - Andrew Certo Demo (US)
SPONSORS
This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, through the Salem County Board of Commissioners, and Salem County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Interested in sponsoring the 2025 International Flameworking Conference? Contact Melissa Daly for more information at mdaly@salemcc.edu or by calling 856-351-2644.
