College Admissions Essay: A Career As A Glass Artist

Have you ever dreamt of doing something, but fear held you back? Being fascinated by glass art my whole life I have always been intrigued by the idea of doing it but could never find out how to start. Then I found Salem's Scientific Glass program and although having no prior experience and having fear about using the expensive machinery, I discovered a true love for creating glass art. As a Glass Artist, my journey has taught me that fear should never stand in the way of pursuing one's passions and that hard work and determination are key to success and fulfillment. My transformation from an intimidated beginner to becoming a more skilled glassblower demonstrates this truth and serves as inspiration for others to take risks and embrace their

The Glass Education Center became my second home, as I spent countless days and nights honing my skills. I was determined to become the best glassblower I could be, and I was willing to put in the time and effort to make that happen. I remember the long days spent in the flameworking shop , my hands working tirelessly to create intricate pieces of glass art. The hours would fly by as I lost myself in the process, and before I knew it, the sun would be setting and the other students would be packing up to go home. But I wouldn't leave, not yet. I would stay late into the night, practicing and perfecting my techniques, until my hands were too tired to go on. And even when I finally left the Glass Center, my thoughts would remain there. I would go home and study the techniques I had learned, trying to find new ways to improve. I would dream about glassblowing, visualizing new pieces and designs in my mind. The days and nights spent in the Glass Center were not just about building my skills, but about developing a love and passion for the art form. I came to understand the beauty and complexity of glassblowing, and I was proud to be part of a community of artists who shared this appreciation. Looking back, I can see how much I've grown and changed since those early days in the Glass Center. But I will always cherish the memories of those long

. One of the projects I was working on was a Liebig Condenser for my scientific glass class. It was a challenging piece, requiring precise measurements and delicate techniques. I was determined to make it the best it could be, and I put in countless hours perfecting every aspect of the design. But despite my best efforts, one day, as I was putting the finishing touches on one of my Liebig Condensers, disaster struck. I made a small mistake, and before I knew it, the entire apparatus had shattered into a million pieces on the floor. I was devastated. All of my hard work and effort seemed to have gone to waste. I felt like giving up, like maybe I just wasn't cut out for this kind of work. But then I remembered why I was in the Glass Education Center in the first place: to learn, to grow, and to challenge myself. So, I gathered up the pieces and started over. I was more determined than ever to make it work, and this time, I was even more careful and methodical in my approach. And in the end, my perseverance paid off. I completed my Liebig Condenser. I was proud of what I had accomplished, and I learned a valuable lesson in the process: that sometimes, it's the setbacks and challenges that shape us into the strongest and most skilled artists we can