About us
At the root of the cannabis culture, a small glass pipe for smoking marijuana became popular in the early 1980’s. Admiration of the little pipe grew when Bob Snodgrass of Eugene, Oregon created a technique called “fuming.” By introducing silver and gold metals to the glass, he could produce a beautiful rainbow effect that was layered in the glass and seemed to change colors when you smoked. Glassblowers from across the nation began to gravitate towards the area seeking his mentorship. The artistic, liberal community with the lush green countryside drew them in and by the 1990’s the glass pipe movement was well established. In interviews with glass artists they reveal the freedom, the joy, the struggles and the pure passion that drives them to survive in a competitive industry filled with challenges. Includes: Bob Snodgrass, Delene Peralta, Eli Mazet, Josh Mazet, Hamm, Julie Riggs, Jason Harris, Suzanne Tipton and more…
Eugene, Oregon is Pipetown, U.S.A.
JOAQUÍN RAMÓN HERRERA, DIRECTOR
A graduate of New York University, School of Film and Television, Pipetown, USA, is Joaquín’s first feature length documentary. He was cinematographer on the 2005 film Kiss and Run, which won Best Comedy in the American Theater of Harlem’s Film Festival Cultures Collide. Joaquín is a film maker, photographer, illustrator, and author. In 2008, Joaquín won a statewide competition to represent Oregon as a Citizen Journalist, one of 50 nationwide MTV News Street Team reporters. He is owner of Blazing Heart Productions, in Eugene, Oregon since 2013 where he specializes in film, video, commercials and webinars.
ELI MAZET, GLASS ARTIST AND AUTHOR
Eli’s passion for all things glass and his love of the glass community is the inspiration for the story behind Pipelown, USA. A glass artist for almost 20 years, he officially opened Mazet Studios in 2003 with his brothers. They found a niche in the glass art community with their line of small sculptures and marbles. He has become well known for starting a movement to bring back the handcrafted shot glass, which is documented in his book, The Contemporary Shot Glass. His latest book, The American Shot Glass and the Machine is due to be released in December 2019.
GREG LEFRANCIS, GLASS ARTIST AND OWNER OF LEFANCIS STUDIOS
Formerly a successful owner of a records management business, Greg followed his dreams and is now the owner of LeFrancis Studios in Las Vegas, Nevada. Greg’s interest in art has developed over his lifetime, from clay and mixed media, to his newest passion – glass! Greg was introduced to Josh and Eli Mazet while taking classes to develop his flame working skills. LeFrancis Studios is the largest glass school in Nevada. He now teaches and offers both flame working and glassblowing facilities
JOSH MAZET, GLASS ARTIST AND CO-OWNER OF MELT
Josh’s BFA in Ceramics from the University of Oregon, where he taught wood fire ceramics classes, eventually led him to glass. His experience with clay and glazing were key in getting his first glass job at Jerome Baker Design. Working with some of the biggest names in the glass industry Josh developed his glass skills and taught his brothers the basics, soon opening Mazet Studios. Josh is a highly skilled and creative glass artist with his own line of pendants and pipes. He remains closely connected with Mazet Studios and the Eugene community. He currently lives in Pennsylvania and is a co-owner of the event East Coast MELT that takes place annually in the Pocono’s .