Come by the studios at Third Degree, and you’ll likely see babyfaced Addison Hanna working in the hotshop. Addison is a recognizable figure in the Third Degree studios, doing everything from narrating demonstrations during private events and Third Fridays, teaching classes, and producing his own body of work.
Because Addison is our featured demo artist this coming Third Friday, “People are Strange” on January 15, we thought we’d learn a little more about him.
What is your artistic background? In what different media have you worked?
My glass career started at Third Degree when I was 15 and I took classes and start helping out around the shop to build my skills. I went to school at Emporia State University for my BFA in glass. Glass is my main medium but I do some metal working to fabricate mounts for my sculptures. I like metal working, just haven’t explored it as much. I have dabbled in painting and engraving at school but it was not my style. Too slow.
What captures your imagination or inspires you?
People and nature and life experiences.
What do you like to create? What are you working on now?
I like to create everything from a bowl, vase, goblets to sculpting creatures, animals, sculptures, abstract.
Tell me about your adventures in Alaska. What inspired you to go there? What keeps bringing you back? How has it changed your perspective on your artwork?
Every summer I go out to Skagway, Alaska, to work at a glassblowing studio up there. Alaska has always been a dream of mine and my friend Travis brought me there to work at a glass studio. I go back because it’s beautiful and full of beautiful people and feels like home. My travels to Alaska have opened up perspective on the raw, natural material glass is, and that is reflected in some of the work I currently make.
What’s next?
To take over the world and get myself a Cadillac.
You can catch Addison at our next Third Friday open house! Come watch him make his phenomenal (and sometimes strange) artwork!