THE FLAME OFF RETURNS THIS FEBRUARY 2019

Theme: (Un)Natural World

February 8th, 2019
Friday | 7 to 11PM

>Go to 2019 Flame Off Event Page

Attention Torchworkers: Want to compete? Fill out the online application

Presale tickets now available!

 


 

And last year’s winners were…

 

Click image to see all finished pieces

 


Previous event information

Friday, February 2, 2018
633 W. 18th Street
7-11PM


Closeup of Raven Copeland’s “Transpicuous Position” | First Place Flame Off 2017

ABOUT

The Flame Off is Tucson’s annual torchworking competition! Watch 18 glass artists race against the clock to make the best molten glass masterpiece. The evening features streaming HD closeups, Thunder Canyon Brewery beer, wine, live auctions, raffle prizes, food trucks, and a fiery competition similar to Iron Chef.

The Arizona Daily Star has called the Flame Off a “Top Ten Must See Event of the Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Show” and Zocalo calls it “one of Tucson’s hottest gatherings.”

Originally founded in Tucson by glass artist and Sonoran Glass School co-founder Tom Philabaum in 2001, the Flame Off is now in its 17th incarnation. Expect to see some complex pieces this year, because the 2018 theme is “Assemblage: More than the sum of its parts.”

Will Call tickets are $20 and proceeds benefit the nonprofit Sonoran Glass School and its glass art educational programming, including subsidized community programs for underserved youth. VIP tickets are $50 and include special seating and other perks. Learn more about the 2018 Flame Off below!

Yes! You can bid on Flame Off pieces during and after the event. Learn more below.

(Arizona Daily Star “Fire Play” January 24, 2013)
(“Zocalo, “Flame-Off Fuels Art Education For Local Youth” January 27, 2014)

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS! PLEASE SUPPORT THESE COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.


Flame Off 2016 (35) (800x533)
HD Screens show live closeups of the action

THE COMPETITION

Every year, Sonoran Glass School chooses the competing artists. This year there will be 18 artists from around the country and one international competitor. Artists will compete in one of two competition sets (7PM or 9:00PM) and will have 90 minutes to complete their entry piece. There will be up to nine artists competing at a time.

Last year’s first place prize was a A Samurai 3 Stage Torch ($4,325) from Flame Off sponsor Glass Tech Technologies. This year’s first place prize will be announced soon. Second and third place winners will receive hundreds of dollars in valuable torchworking supplies and gift certificates from our sponsors.

All competitors have agreed to donate their finished pieces to Sonoran Glass School to be bid on by attendees and the general public. Proceeds support the nonprofit Sonoran Glass School and its educational programming.

Winners will be announced on the Sonoran Glass Facebook page and posted to the Flame Off 2018 event page on Saturday February 3rd, 2017.

Round 1: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
 

Round 2: 9:00-10:30 p.m.


Eighteen artists on torches, and under pressure

THE ARTISTS

JeriLyn Alderman (Instagram @firechildeglass)
Seth Bickis (Instagram @sethbickis)
Skyler Blood-Raiter (Instagram @firespider.glass)
Chuck Burton (Burton Art Studios)
Benjamin Cornwell (Instagram @bcglassworx)
Raven Copeland (Instagram @madglasser)
Brian Jacobson (Instagram @ brianjacobson313)
Floor Kaspers (Instagram @floorkaspers)
Jeremiah Kern (Instagram @handofman)
Marcia Kmack (www.cavecreekglassworks.com)
Brodie Lee (Instagram @leebrodee)
James Lynch (Instagram @hicdogg)
Chris Moreno (Instagram @glyph_glass)
Jack Morris (Instagram @upgradeglass)

Jonathan Russell (Instagram @jonny2mics)
David Smith (Instagram @stonemanglass)
Courtney Thompson (Instagram @delalunaglass)
Alex G Williamson (Instagram @alexg_glass)

Experience the Flame Off in person

SPECTATORS

Join the crowd and watch as flameworkers go torch-to-torch! Grab a seat in the bleachers and watch the competition in front of you and on HD screens live streaming close ups.

Your glass artist hosts will provide entertaining and educational commentary on the progress of the artists, their pieces, and the competition.

Enjoy beer, wine, and a food truck roundup. Explore the beautiful work of glass artists from around the nation at the Sonoran Glass Art Show tent during intermission and throughout the evening!

ID is required to purchase alcoholic beverages.
This is an all ages event.


VIP Tickets include reserved, center seating

TICKETS

Buy your General Admission or VIP ticket online at sonoranglass.org/flameoffticket or at the door starting at 6:30PM. General admission is $20 and VIP tickets are $50. All proceeds benefit the 501(c) 3 nonprofit Sonoran Glass School and it’s educational programs.

General Tickets-$20
Admission to the 16th annual Flame Off and Sonoran Glass Art Show tents

VIP Tickets-$50
Admission plus preferred seating,
two drink tickets,
a VIP lanyard,
and access to the VIP lounge inside Sonoran Glass School. 


Grab a brew and a bite!

BEER, WINE, & FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUP

Thunder Canyon Brewery is providing different brews to choose from, including its red ale and IPA.

Tucson’s Food Truck Roundup will be represented featuring bratwurst, tacos, burritos, Peruvian fusion food, and classic American food.

 

 


SONORAN GLASS ART SHOW

The Sonoran Glass Art Show is Tucson’s only all glass vendor showcase during the Gem, Mineral and Fossil show. And it will be OPEN for business during the Flame Off. Take a break from the competition and browse the crafts of 24 local, national, and international glass artists.

Special thanks to Doug Harroun and his World of Glass Productions, LLC for being a partner and major sponsor for the Sonoran Glass Art Show, now in its third year.


BIDDING, FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY

YES! You can take home completed Flame Off pieces. If you wish to bid on any of the pieces during the event you can do so by getting the attention of one of our clipboard-carrying volunteers. Bidding will extend on our Facebook page’s Flame Off 2018 Bidding Album starting Saturday evening at 5 p.m. To bid all you have to do is leave your bid in the comments. Winners will also be announced in this album. 

 


FINAL VIEWING & JUDGING

Confirmed judges include Bandhu Dunham, Simon Donovan, and more TBA. Final Flame Off pieces will be available for viewing and further bidding in the Sonoran Glass Art Show tent on Saturday, February 4th and at Sonoran Glass School Monday through Friday from February 6th-February 10th. Saturday viewing hours are 12PM-5PM. Monday through Friday’s are from 9AM to 5PM.

Sonoran Glass School has chosen a group of judges who are glass artists, non-glass artists, and community members. Each judge scores pieces according to a several categories related to concept, skill, execution, overall design, and others. Judges come in to view and judge the final annealed pieces on Saturday morning.