Arts and Crafts
Gerald Haessig of Vetro Divino Glass and Silveramics™
By Suzanne PfefferleIn the past, many critics have often categorized art as something that hangs on a wall. Fortunately, this has changed and artist Gerald Haessig is one of the reasons why. Haessig is the creator of Vetro Divino Glass and Silveramics™, which are two lines of colorful crafts commanding attention in the Crescent City.
It started in 1992 with a Christmas present from his wife. Much more meaningful than a tie, his wife offered him the private glassblowing lesson that launched his thriving art career. Since the glass studio would shut off the furnace during the summer, he also developed an interest in clay, which gave rise to his successful Silveramics™ line. He is now a studio-trained artist who continues to sharpen his skills at prestigious schools in New York while displaying his innovative designs in shows across the country.
His first line of crafts, called Vetro Divino Glass, consists of “limited editions of hand-blown glass art.” Using Italian, Swedish, and American techniques, Haessig creates vases and bowls that are beautiful yet functional. The Silveramics™ creations are pottery designs with an intriguing rustic appeal. He describes it as “very upscale,” and jokes that “it’s not your Grandma’s pottery.” Each colorful piece is handmade by Haessig himself, making it exceptionally unique. To see his eye-catching art for yourself, the artist invites you to visit his website at, geraldhaessigdesigns.
Since moving to New Orleans twenty years ago, Haessig has enveloped himself with the city’s art scene. He is a member of the Dutch Alley Artist’s Co-op in the French Quarter, NewOrleanswholesaleartisans.com, and he has even been asked to design a new key to the city. “People here really appreciate art and artisans. Being creative is part of the fabric of New Orleans,” he says of the city he calls home. Haessig adds that New Orleanians “appreciate the effort it takes to be creative.”
Not slowing down any time soon, Haessig still has big plans for creating art in the Big Easy. The artist plans on collaborating with Save Our Cemeteries by designing a piece of jewelry for their “Run Through History 2008” for the second year in a row. “Last year’s design was extremely popular and we hope to do that again,” he reveals.
Among his other future projects, Haessig is in the process of creating his new website, which will say “thank you” to all of those who have helped to rebuild the city. Neworleansthanksyou.com will display artwork designed to express this gratitude and will be donating a portion of the sales to the recovery effort. The first donation will go towards the Katrina Volunteer Memorial Fountain. This generous artist is optimistic about the project, expressing that “I hope I can expedite the process with a nice donation. After all, life and art are all about giving oneself.”