The Historic Doc Tilton House
Lightspinner Studio
Martha Sechler
Unique Watercolors Mixed Media Gourd Art
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4460 Helmsburg Rd. Nashville, IN • 812-703-3129 Open June thru December— Call Ahead
Ideal for families, reunions, large groups, and celebrations 317.850.0907 • BouldersLodge. com
GLASS BLOWERS continued from 17
throughout their careers, very few know about the scientific side of their business.
Glass blowing plays a crucial role in medical training and research, with many scientific companies and universities employing specialized glass artists who create detailed anatomical models used for educational purposes and surgical planning. Jim said because of their father’ s connections to the world of chemistry, the Lawrence Family Glass Blowers have been involved with scientific projects including anatomical models and custom lab equipment since the early years of the business. The brothers have created intricate pieces for pharmaceutical and research institutions, including exact replicas of the human cranial and carotid arteries for nearby Cook Medical.
Jim said while robots and other forms of artificial intelligence are overtaking many industries around the world, glass blowing isn’ t one of them. Glass art and scientific creations demand the creativity and precision that cannot be outsourced to machines, he said. The decline of skilled glass blowers isn’ t poised to just leave a hole in the art world— it’ s a looming crisis for science and medicine, John said.
The brothers still love what they do, though the business pace has slowed slightly. Their father died in 2020, and John said family health issues are prompting him to cut back to working“ only fulltime” this year.
As automation and cheap imports continue to shrink the American craft industry, Jim and John remain hopeful that their story— and others like it— will spark something that one day might draw future generations back toward hand-crafted arts.“ Things come and go,” Jim said.“ At some point, people are going to get tired of buying the same IKEA furniture and start saying,‘ I want something real.’”
Until then, the Lawrence brothers will keep showing up, torches in hand, joyfully sharing their craft and stories with everyone who walks through the door.
“ We’ re the last of an era,” John says,“ but maybe not the last forever.”
Because when you watch fire transform sand into something delicate, lasting, and soulful— maybe, just maybe, you tell someone else. For more, 812-988-2600 or lawrencefamilyglassblowers. com. •
18 Our Brown County • May / June 2025