That’s hot: Gene Koss and his crew create a glass sculpture for a YAYA crowd

by Sue Strachan for NOLA.com
Gene Koss shapes the hot glass at a YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.

Almost all of the YAYA Arts Center’s furnaces were in use on Friday, March 2 when artist Gene Koss and his crew were on site creating a hot-cast glass sculpture.

Koss is credited with starting the current glass art movement in New Orleans and founder of Tulane University’s glass program.

The studio was packed with spectators – YAYA and Tulane University students, fellow glass artists, and fans — with Koss taking short breaks to explain what they were doing.

  • Cary Coco, Kirk Coco, Danielle Coco and Meg Miles at Gene Koss’ YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.
  • Gene Koss, right, shapes the hot glass at a YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.
  • Gene Koss, right, watches as molten glass is poured into a mold during a YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.
  • Mark Rosenbaum, James Vella and Carlos Zervigon at Gene Koss’ YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.
  • Tulane Students Katie Reeves, Jordan Tavan, Andrew Mahaffie, Tristan Hebert, Alex Guior and in front, Megan Caruso and Hannah Kramer at Gene Koss’ YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.
  • Peggy Laborde, Kay Kerrigan and Bev Church at Gene Koss’ YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.
  • YAYA students Lily Kaloustian, Jeremiah Brown, Sofia Olexia-Daigle, Frank Singleton, Shawn Evans, Quishawn Reine, Jourdan Barnes, and in front, Nala Stiggers, Tristen Brown and Quinton Gilmore at Gene Koss’ YAYA glass demonstration Friday (March 2) at the LaSalle Street studio.

When not taking in the demonstration, guests could purchase YAYA items, including the “Goblet Grab,” where a person could buy a custom glass or ceramic cup starting at $25 and drink for free.

This event is part of an open house glass making series that happen periodically, though the center has regular programming through the year, including “Make Your Own Glass.”

YAYA, founded in 1988, provides arts and entrepreneurial experiences to New Orleans-area children and youth.