Taylor Backes

Overview

Taylor Backes is a glass art gallery and working studio located at 150 South Washington Street in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. The establishment functions as both a retail gallery showcasing handcrafted glass artwork and an educational facility offering hands-on glass blowing instruction to the public. The studio occupies a position within Boyertown's downtown commercial district, contributing to the borough's arts and cultural offerings in Montgomery County.

Gallery and Retail Operations

The Taylor Backes gallery displays and sells glass artwork created by studio artists. The collection spans multiple rooms within the facility, featuring a range of glass pieces that demonstrate various techniques and styles within the medium. Items available for purchase include decorative art pieces, functional glassware, and seasonal items. The gallery has developed a particular reputation for its annual Christmas ornament collection, with new designs released each year. These ornaments have become a tradition for some customers, who return annually to add to their collections.

The retail component of the business operates alongside the working studio, allowing visitors to observe the glass blowing process while browsing the gallery. This arrangement provides context for the craftsmanship involved in creating the pieces on display, connecting the finished artwork with the labor-intensive process of its creation. Staff members are available to discuss the techniques, materials, and artistic decisions that go into individual pieces.

Glass Blowing Classes

Taylor Backes offers instructional glass blowing classes designed for participants with no prior experience. The class format emphasizes active participation, with students performing the actual glass blowing work under instructor guidance rather than simply observing demonstrations. This hands-on approach distinguishes the program from more passive educational experiences where students watch professionals work.

Classes accommodate various group configurations, including individual participants, couples, families, and larger groups. The studio hosts private events and has become a venue for celebrations including anniversaries, birthdays, and family gatherings. Participants in these classes typically create their own glass pieces to take home, providing both an educational experience and a tangible memento.

The instructional staff includes experienced glass blowers who guide students through each step of the process. The teaching methodology appears to emphasize patience and encouragement, with instructors adapting their approach to accommodate beginners who may be unfamiliar with working near high-temperature furnaces and handling molten glass. Students work with the actual tools and equipment used in professional glass blowing, gaining practical experience with the medium.

Custom Commission Work

Beyond retail sales and classes, Taylor Backes accepts custom commissions for glass pieces tailored to specific customer requirements. This service includes functional items such as custom glass lamp shades and pendant light fixtures, as well as decorative pieces designed to customer specifications. The commission process involves consultation with staff regarding dimensions, color selection, and design elements to ensure the finished piece meets the customer's needs.

Custom work demonstrates the studio's capacity for production beyond standard gallery inventory, allowing customers to obtain pieces that match particular aesthetic requirements or fit specific functional applications. This service extends the studio's offerings beyond what is available on the gallery floor at any given time.

The Art of Glass Blowing

Glass blowing is a forming technique that dates back approximately two thousand years, originating in the Roman Empire around the first century BCE. The process involves gathering molten glass on the end of a hollow pipe and shaping it through a combination of blowing air into the material and manipulating it with various tools. The glass must be maintained at working temperature throughout the process, requiring periodic reheating in a furnace called a glory hole.

Contemporary glass studios like Taylor Backes continue these traditional techniques while incorporating modern equipment and safety measures. The work requires precise timing and coordination, as the glass cools and stiffens quickly once removed from the heat source. Artists must work efficiently while the material remains malleable, making decisions about form, color, and texture within narrow time windows.

The physical demands of glass blowing include working in close proximity to furnaces operating at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Studios require specialized ventilation systems and safety protocols to protect both artists and visitors. The equipment involved includes multiple furnaces for different stages of the process, annealing ovens for controlled cooling of finished pieces, and an array of hand tools for shaping and finishing work.

Location and Accessibility

The studio is situated in downtown Boyertown, a borough of approximately 4,000 residents located in southeastern Pennsylvania. Boyertown lies roughly 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia and 20 miles southeast of Reading, positioned within the agricultural and suburban landscape of northern Montgomery County near the Berks County border.

The facility includes wheelchair accessible parking, accommodating visitors with mobility considerations. The studio provides onsite services, meaning all classes, demonstrations, and retail operations take place at the Washington Street location. Customers interested in visiting should contact the studio directly at 610-367-4600 to inquire about gallery hours, class schedules, and availability.

Community Engagement

Taylor Backes maintains an active role in the local community through its class offerings and periodic events. The studio hosts parties and community gatherings in addition to its regular class schedule, creating opportunities for public engagement with the glass arts beyond simple retail transactions. This programming contributes to Boyertown's cultural activities and provides residents and visitors access to an art form that requires specialized equipment and expertise not typically available to the general public.

The studio's presence in downtown Boyertown places it within walking distance of other local businesses and contributes to the commercial vitality of the borough's central district. For visitors to the area, the gallery offers an opportunity to observe working artists and acquire locally produced artwork that reflects the craft traditions of studio glass making.