Scott Hartley, owner of Infinity Art Glass in Benton, will be inducted into the Southwestern College Fine Arts Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 16.  Several of his glass creations will be on display in the President’s Art Gallery, located in the Darbeth Fine Arts Center, beginning at noon on April 12 and concluding at noon on April 21. The gallery will be open to the public; gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily or by appointment through SC security.  

Hartley was a bit perplexed when he got the letter indicating he had been selected for a hall of fame at Southwestern.

“When I was at Southwestern College, I played basketball and dreamed of being good enough to make it into the hall of fame in this school that I loved,” Hartley says. “I always thought to myself what an honor that would be to celebrate all that I had accomplished and worked so hard to achieve.  When I received the letter saying that I was being inducted into the hall of fame, I thought to myself, ‘I didn't think I was good enough to make it into the sports hall of fame.’”

Along with playing basketball at Southwestern, Hartley was active in the science and education departments.  

“I had trouble wrapping my mind around that fact that I deserved this sort of prestigious recognition,” Hartley recalls.  “I loved my school and just really wasn't sure how to take this all in.  I blew glass the next few days and soaked myself into my work (glass making is a meditation of sorts, it requires total concentration and being in the moment at all times).  After a couple days in the studio, I realized what an honor this truly is.  It's not an award for something I did years ago; it's not recognition for something I no longer do; this induction recognizes my life's work.  It validates what I do now and will continue to do throughout my life.”

Glass, as Hartley states, is an amazing medium.  He starts with the rawest of materials when it comes to creating each piece of work. Hartley mixes sand, soda ash, borax, and many other chemicals together to create a raw batch of materials that is shoveled into the glass blowing furnace at 2,000 degrees.  This mixture of raw chemicals, heated for 24 hours, becomes molten glass that Hartley is able to create and form into unique pieces of artwork.  Each piece is created individually, by hand, on the end of a blowpipe.  There are no molds used to shape the glass into its final presence; the glass is sculpted free form on the end of the pipe.  

“It is a dance of sorts, a merger of what the glass will allow and what I physically can make it do,” Hartley says.  “The glass itself is in constant motion and is on the brink of catastrophe the entire time.  It would just as soon end up in a pile on the floor as finish as a work of art.  My job is to control this catastrophe and remain on that edge of disaster to allow the hot glass to move fluidly without struggle to cool and rest in a place of beauty as it becomes ridged and holds that shape.”

Hartley graduated from Andover High School in 1993 and from Southwestern College in 1997 with a degree in biology education.  He taught high school biology and physical science in Wichita. Science was a love, but art was always a passion in his life. The students always appreciated his science artwork on the board during labs and discussions, and he incorporated art into his lessons whenever possible. Somehow, he says, this wasn’t quite enough.  

In 1999, an opportunity arose to pursue art full-time, which changed the course of his life entirely. Even though he had never blown glass, watching molten glass being manipulated one time left him spellbound. 

In 2003 Hartley opened Infinity Art Glass, his own glassblowing studio and gallery in Benton. His work is now displayed in more than 100 galleries as well as in museums and private collections around the world. He has won many “Best of Show” awards at fine art shows around the country, and he continues to be recognized nationally as a standout in his field. Hartley prides himself on creating custom artwork that not only resonates with the client but also with himself.  To view his work, go to www.infinityartglass.com. 

Hartley’s creations come from inspiration he gets every day from his family.  He married his high school sweetheart, Gwen, and they have three children: Cal (17), Claire (14), and Lola (9).  

“My family is slightly different than the ‘typical’ family,” Hartley says.  “Cal reminds me so much of myself when I was growing up except he does everything better than I ever did.  He is an outstanding basketball player, 4.0 student, a brilliant mind, and just an unbelievable leader and caring individual.  My two girls have a rare genetic disorder called microcephaly.  They will probably never walk, talk, or function in normal society, yet they have had more of an impact in their short lives so far than I probably ever will in my entire life.  I have never met such dynamic souls and innocent children.  I am continually amazed by the impact of all of my children and how much of a difference they make in this world.  My artwork is influenced greatly by my wife and my kids.  To make something even close to as beautiful as their lives is an unattainable goal.  I strive to get as close as possible.”

Hartley has continued his love for teaching by conducting school tours, field trips, and educational demonstrations of his glassblowing. He hopes his own example of pursing art inspires others to follow their passion in life.

The Fine Arts Hall of Fame celebration will be on Saturday, April 16.  The celebration will begin with a brunch at 9 a.m. (cost is $15, seating is limited, and RSVPs are necessary) on the Callison Stage of the Richardson Performing Arts Center followed at 10 a.m. with the induction ceremony which is open seating with no reservation needed. 

For more information or reservations, contact Susan Lowe, director of alumni programs, at (620) 229-6334.