Broughton Quarterly - Fall 2008 - (Page 22) Harmony’s romantic evolution from a dairy community to a haven of wine and art has attracted dreamers, investors, and talented craftspeople like glass bead artist Paula Radke (above) and glass blower Eric Dandurand (right), owner of Harmony Glassworks. many parts to reviving and bringing back the town. A lot of underlying work needs to be done.” Meanwhile, Eric Dandurand, the owner of Harmony Glassworks Studios, is thrilled. According to Dandurand, Calyork has already foot the bill for a wheelchair ramp and wood doorframe, making the entryway to his new shop attractive and inviting to the hundreds of people who pass through on busy summer days. Dandurand came to Harmony as a teenager in 1987, and he immediately fell in love with its down-home rustic feel. He returned to the enchanted enclave a decade later as a glass artist working under the popular glass blower Carl Radke, who occupied the same facility under the name Phoenix Studios.“When I heard it was up for lease, I knew I had to have it,” says Dandurand.“I always wanted to have a studio here.” Since he opened his business this summer, Dandurand has rearranged the interior space to enlarge the gallery. He carries the work of 11 local, national, and international glass artists, including himself. One half of the studio is his work area, visible to the public as he blows glass. The other section is a gorgeous retail display filled with a rainbow cornucopia of glass pens, glass vases, glass fluted bowls, glass jewelry, and more. He also utilizes the space to teach glassblowing. Next on the repair agenda is replacing Dandurand’s leaky roof, and Dandurand says the materials are already on order and the owners are taking care of expenses. A new corrugated steel and wood roof will retain its authentic barnlike appearance. Everyone agrees that maintaining the classic farm atmosphere will be essential to Harmony’s revival. The town began life in the late 1800s as a dairy community, and the original creamery building is still there. When creamery operations ceased in the 1950s, the town went silent. 22 broughton Quarterly FALL 2008
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.