The Bronze Look brings 100 year W.Va. legacy, Fenton Glass, to Princeton's historic district

By TAMMIE TOLER
Princeton Times, Princeton, WV

Princeton - This year, Fenton glass will celebrate 100 years in West Virginia, and pieces of that legacy are now available in Princeton's historic district.

Randolph Evans opened The Bronze Look last year as a coin and art shop on East Mercer Street, but since then the store has evolved to a collector's gallery featuring unique currency, prints and Fenton glass.

Grace Fenton, a regional representative and member of the Fenton family, visited The Bronze Look last Friday. As she sat outside the store, just yards from the nearly complete Princeton Railroad Museum and across the street from the former Stag clothing store that was recently refurbished and turned into Kidz at Heart Day Care Center, Fenton said East Mercer Street's character and past made it the perfect place to showcase Fenton Glass's unique pieces and intricate artistry.

"The minute I saw your site, I knew I was going to love your store. It's very homey here," Fenton said.

Although the building Evans' store occupies was built in 1915, roughly nine years after Fenton Glass created its Williamstown factory, she said the company and Princeton's historic district were a good fit.

Princeton's development in the early 1900s centered around the Virginian Railroad's extension through the area now adjoining East Mercer Street and running under the present-day Thorn Street. Much like that history is a piece of present-day Princeton, Fenton said her company's pieces are part of their collectors' lives.

"Collectors love to get compliments on their pieces, and we're proud that they're not only parts of our collections, but also that each piece is a part of who we are," she said.

The Fenton Art Glass Company was founded in 1905 by Frank L. Fenton and his brother John W. Fenton, who began painting designs on other manufacturer's blanks in Martins Ferry, Ohio. Before long, the brothers decided to start their own glass manufacturing company, and they began working on the Williamstown factory. On Jan. 2, 1907, the West Virginia factory produced its first piece of glass, and the Fenton family, traditions and artwork have been part of the Mountain State's culture ever since.

Fenton, a collector herself, said she enjoys trinkets, the ornate, tiny boxes that hold jewelry or other small treasures.

"Each piece is a reminder of who I am and what I was enjoying at that time," she said.

One of her most precious pieces came from Frank Fenton's estate, a ruby carnival trinket with a butterfly on the lid.

"It is the most beautiful trinket I have ever see, but it's also a piece of him," Fenton said.

She said the unique colors, intricate designs and handcrafted art are some of the qualities that make Fenton glass special.

In addition, the pride and time Fenton employees put into their pieces shines through the glass, Fenton said.

"It's hard to fully appreciate one piece of glass just by looking at it," she said, citing one piece could require 19 to complete.

Evans said he will coordinating a tour of the Fenton Art Glass Factory Aug. 15. Cost of the trip will be $75 and will include the bus ride, lunch with the Fenton family, a tour of the facility and more. For more information on the trip, contact Evans at 304-920-2081.

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Mountain glass...On Jan. 2, 1907, the Williamstown, W.Va. factory produced its first piece of glass. Here, Grace Fenton and Randolph Evans examine a piece of Fenton's art glass. Photo by Tammie Toler

The 2006 Connoisseur Collection Showcases Fenton Art Glass

(Williamstown, WV). The 2006 Connoisseur Collection from Fenton Art Glass showcases the skills and talents of their glassworkers and artists. Included in this year's Collection is a breathtaking "Sunflower on Plated Amberina" Vase.

The eye-popping texture and color of this vase will amaze and delight. Designer Stacy Williams used stylized strokes of raised white enamel on a canvas of exotic Plated Amberina glass to create a dimensional sunflower that rivals the look of nineteenth-century English cameo glass.

Item 5437 YZ 8-1/2" Sunflower on Plated Amberina Vase, inscribed with signatures of nine Fenton family members, limited to 1500 pieces, retails for $199 U.S.

Creating spectacular colored art glass for a century, Fenton Art Glass Company represents American handcrafted glass artistry. Located in Williamstown, WV, Fenton is known for its wide range of colors, handpainting and handcrafting. For four generations, Fenton family members have remained active in the business and are proud to continue an American glassmaking tradition begun in 1905. Call 800-933-6766 for more information or visit www.fentonartglass.com.

Autumn Morn Lamp Highlights the Fenton Art Glass Connoisseur Collection

(Williamstown, WV). The 2006 Connoisseur Collection from Fenton Art Glass showcases the skills and talents of their glassworkers and artists. This year's "Autumn Morn" Burmese lamp is sure to become a treasured heirloom.

Memories of a perfect fall morning inspired Designer Frances Burton to create the serenity of an autumn day. A scenic country church with its stately spire and a nearby shaded woodland stream enhance the blushing beauty of Burmese Glass. Pure gold in the formula causes a pink glow to emerge from the creamy yellow background, creating a blushing palette for the golden tones of fall. Sparkling glass highlights that seem to dance in the sunlight enhance the scene on the graceful bell-shaped shade.

Item 8699 UP 22-1/2" Autumn Morn Bell Lamp, limited to 950 pieces, retails for $695 U.S.

Creating spectacular colored art glass for a century, Fenton Art Glass Company represents American handcrafted glass artistry. Located in Williamstown, WV, Fenton is known for its wide range of colors, handpainting and handcrafting. For four generations, Fenton family members have remained active in the business and are proud to continue an American glassmaking tradition begun in 1905. Call 800-933-6766 for more information or visit www.fentonartglass.com.

Fenton Art Glass Extends Tradition with Mosaic Piece in 2006 Connoisseur Collection

(Williamstown, WV). The 2006 Connoisseur Collection from Fenton Art Glass showcases the skills and talents of both glassworkers and artists. A new shape in this year's Collection continues the Mosaic art glass tradition first begun at Fenton eight decades ago.

Master glass artisan Dave Fetty's Mosaic vase has a contemporary look which is on trend for today's styles. Dramatic black glass is fused with crushed glass in vivid colors of red, orange, yellow, and green. The glassmakers' artistry is heightened with the addition of random threading over the surface of the vase before it receives a mist of satin luster. The Mosaic vase will make a statement wherever it is placed in one's home!

Item 5456 1N 8-1/2" Mosaic Vase, limited to 1250 pieces, retails for $295 U.S.

Creating spectacular colored art glass for a century, Fenton Art Glass Company represents American handcrafted glass artistry. Located in Williamstown, WV, Fenton is known for its wide range of colors, handpainting and handcrafting. For four generations, Fenton family members have remained active in the business and are proud to continue an American glassmaking tradition begun in 1905. Call 800-933-6766 for more information or visit www.fentonartglass.com.

Fenton Art Glass Presents "Freedom Soars" Vase...A Tribute to the Glassmaker's Art

(Williamstown, WV). The Connoisseur Collection from Fenton Art Glass showcases the skills and talents of both glassworkers and artists. Front and center in the 2006 Connoisseur Collection is the "Freedom Soars" Vase, a creation in Favrene glass. The "Freedom Soars" Vase will be displayed with pride by those who choose to add this magnificent piece to their home decor.

Favrene is made with cobalt blue glass containing pure silver. The silver is coaxed to the surface in a special reheating process and, when sprayed with metallic salts, it develops a silvery-blue iridescence.

A tribute to the glassmaker's art, the "Freedom Soars" Vase is a vivid canvas for designer Robin Spindler's panoramic scene of a majestic American bald eagle above a summer landscape with a background of snow-capped mountains. Her design features both sandcarving and handpainting. Subtle gold tones can be seen in the moon and in the landscape, where delicate yellow and red flowers flourish.

Item 8801 ZR 11" Freedom Soars Favrene Vase, limited to 950 pieces, retails for $595 U.S.

Creating spectacular colored art glass for a century, Fenton Art Glass Company represents American handcrafted glass artistry. Located in Williamstown, WV, Fenton is known for its wide range of colors, handpainting and handcrafting. For four generations, Fenton family members have remained active in the business and are proud to continue an American glassmaking tradition begun in 1905. Call 800-933-6766 for more information or visit www.fentonartglass.com.

A Dazzling History: Fenton Art Glass

By PHIL BERRY
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

In 1905, 25-year-old Frank L. Fenton decided to try his hand at business. With only $284.86 of seed money, Frank and his older brother John, launched Fenton Art Glass Company in an abandoned glass factory building in Martins Ferry, Ohio. At first, the brothers specialized in hand painting decorations on glass blanks made by other glass manufacturers. Unable to find a steady supply of glass, they soon decided to produce their own. The Fentons moved their fledgling company down the Ohio River to Williamstown, West Virginia, where on January 2, 1907, they crafted their first piece of handmade glass.

In time, Fenton's glassmaking shops, furnaces, annealing lehrs (where the glass is slowly cooled), sand-mixing devices, decorating studios, offices, and packing areas all operated under one roof. Raw materials for glassmaking arrived via the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In turn, the company shipped its exquisite finished products in strawpacked barrels - made at its on-site cooperage shop - by railroad and by horse-drawn drays.

In 1909, John left to start a new glass company in Millersburg, Ohio, but other members of the Fenton family joined Frank in running the Williamstown business. Frank's drive to create new and unusual colors quickly vaulted Fenton Art Glass to the top of the handmade glass industry. From 1905 to the 1920s, the company drew some of its inspiration from the artists at world famous glass producers Tiffany and Steuben.

Fenton Art Glass also owes its early success to famous glass chemist Jacob Rosenthal, also known as Uncle Jake, whose glass career began shortly after the Civil War. Perhaps Rosenthal's most important contribution to the young company was his role in the creation of iridescent glass, known as carnival glass, which Fenton introduced in 1907, Rosenthal's carnival glass, chocolate glass (sometimes called caramel glass by antique dealers), and golden agate pieces are now much-sought-after collector's items. Rosenthal also helped the company persuade other talented glass workers to relocate to Williamstown.

During the Depression and World War II, Fenton shifted its focus from creating decorative art glass to producing practical items such as mixing bowls and tableware, all the while continuing to experiment with new colors. They also introduced the Hobnail pattern line, which would become the company's bread and butter for nearly four decades.

Though Fenton Art Glass survived the lean times of the 1930s and early 1940s, tragedy struck in 1947 and 1948, when Frank, company vice president-secretary and sales manager Robert C. Fenton, and maintenance superintendent James E. Fenton all died, leaving the enterprise in the hands of Frank M. Fenton, age 33, and Wilmer C. (Bill) Fenton, age 25. Despite their youth, the second generation of Fentons led the company through 30 years of rapid growth and success, during a period when many of the country's handmade glass producers closed up shop. Frank M. served as the company's president and Bill as its vice president from 1948 to 1978, when Frank M. became chairman of the board and Bill took over as president. In 1986, Bill assumed the chairmanship of the board, and Frank M.'s son, George W. Fenton, succeeded him as president. Today, nine members of the Fenton family, along with more than 400 employees, continue the Fenton Art Glass legacy of producing handmade art glass.

Stunning colors have long been the signature of Fenton's glass pieces. The company uses special ingredients - such as gold, manganese, and cobalt - to achieve its rich hues. In addition to elegant colors, Fenton's handpainted pieces are prized for their artistic detail. The company's team of highly trained artists renders designs with a mixture of enamel paint and finely crushed glass. The pieces are then exposed to extremely high heat to fuse the paint to the glass.

Fenton Art Glass is a distinctive American product that continues to be collected worldwide. To fully appreciate Fenton glass and the company's 100-year history, a tour of its factory, museum, and gift shop is in order. Free factory tours give small groups of visitors an intimate look at glassmaking in action. USA Today ranked the Fenton tour among the country's top 10 factory tours, and Rand McNally named Fenton in their 2006 Best of the Road guide. The approximately 40-minute tours are typically available Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM. Because tour hours are subject to change, the company asks guests to please call ahead to confirm tour times (304) 375-7772. For more information and for gift shop and museum hours, visit the Web site: www.fentongiftshop.com.

Fenton Art Glass also operates a factory outlet store in Flatwoods that sells both first-quality items and "preferred seconds," which have slight imperfections. For more information, call (304) 765-3430.

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An early photo of glassworkers in the Fenton press shop Courtesy of Fenton Art Glass