Don't just shop at a gallery -- experience the creation of art. In this case, experience the creation of blown glass a the Van Noppen Gallery and Studio. The front of the business exhibts a broad spectrum of work ranging from functional paperweights and vases, to expressive display pieces of blown glass. David Van Noppen is renowned for his glass floral arrangemetns, fluted bowls, and even glass fruits and vegetables.

Of all of the glass art at the Van Noppen gallery, only the paperweights are solid, all of the other pieces are blown.

The process of glass blowing begins with picking up bits of colored glass on the end of the blowpipe, a stainless steel rod about five feet long, with one end heated to over 2100 degrees -- hot enough to melt the glass on contact.

The colored glass, either transparent or opaque depending on the desired effect, is given a small air bubble, then is dipped in a pot of melted clear glass to provide the volume of material needed to effectively blow glass. When molten, this glass has the viscosity of honey, but it quickly hardens to the more familiar hardness of glass.

When blown, the glass looks as fragile as a soap bubble, but it's as resiliant as a jar or bottle. Sometimes a mold of graphite or stainless steel is used to provide a special texture.

If you'd like to watch David Van Noppen or his assitant, Sue, blow glass, your best bet is Wednesday through Saturday. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday. You can find the Van Noppen Glass Gallery and Studio at 18 Imperial Place, in Providence's Jewelery District. Their phone is 401/272-3104.

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