In 2007, Williamston was introduced to an uncommon kind of art. Fireworks Glass Studios brought the craft of original and customizable glass sculpting to the community, along with love and compassion for its neighbors.
Owner, Dave Porter, pictured sculpting the hot glass. Photo By Camille North
Owner, Dave Porter, opened his studio in 2007, getting into the glass blowing business just after retirement. The studio creates various pieces every day, ranging from seasonal glass such as Christmas ornaments and glass pumpkin pieces, to everyday home objects like vases and wall mountings.
“I love this job because it’s so much different than the normal office job,” employee Doug Waggott said. “I don’t have to sit in a cubicle, and I get to make a kind of art that I have only become more interested with every day.”
There is a lot of history within Williamston that many people are unaware of, and that history is what creates the sense of lasting community the small town exhibits, Porter said.
“We really enjoy the town of Williamston and the people within it. We try and support our community in any way we can,” Porter said. “There aren’t many [people] that live here, so the community means a lot not only to th
Fireworks Glass Studio employee, Doug Waggott, assisting in the process of blowing a glass wall mounting. Photo by Camille North
is studio but everyone that lives here.”
Fireworks Glass Studio chose to support its community in the best way it knew how;
through the creation of glass. Fifty percent of proceeds from the studio’s original collection, Hold Onto Hope, are donated to a specific cancer patient of the time and their family.
According to employee Judy Nichols, even though she is the newest addition to the team, she immediately felt like family; a feeling the community of Williamston also brings into her life.
“We support our community 100 percent, our community comes first because they are the reason we are here.” Nichols said. “Every time one of those vases are bought, it goes directly to our local individual and their fight against cancer.”
Nichols said the Fireworks Glass Studio wanted to find a way to support the community’s individuals in a way that felt personal and equal for the amount of support it has received from them over the years. Individuals supported are changed from time to time, however, due to Williamston’s size, many patients are showcased multiple times throughout the year.
Newest addition to the studio, Judy Nichols, poses for the camera in front of the workshop. Photo by Camille North
The studio’s doors are open to the public for viewing, and customers are encouraged to visit and watch the artists create the business’ pieces. Glass blowing lessons are also available to the public.