Don’t Blow Smoke Up My Glass

Christopher Morrison balances his time between being an active member of the Samish neighborhood and being one of Bellingham’s top glass blowing artists

Growing Up an Artist

Morrison’s interest in glass art started in high school where he had a great art instructor. He continued his art studies at Hartwick College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Pilchuck Glass School. Morrison said that “the combination of influences set him on the right path.” That path ultimately led him to Bellingham and Morrison Glass Arts which has been up-and-running for the last 14 years.

Morrison is not only a part of the glass blowing art community but also makes it a habit to engage in the Bellingham arts scene as a whole.

“I’m very much involved in the arts but I run a business,” Morrison said. “It’s a pretty big deal to run an art business especially in this economic climate.”

Cash or Smash

In addition to selling his artwork and commissioning art pieces around the city, Morrison has come up with other creative ways to bring in income for his studio. Every now and then he will host auctions or shows. Alexandra Wiley, a close friend and collector of Morrison’s work since 2003, recalls an auction that Morrison held which he called “Break It or Buy It.” He would begin auctioning off a piece and if no one bid on that piece, Morrison would proceed to shatter the sculpture to millions of pieces. While it might seem drastic to some, it is just Morrison’s eccentric way to encourage people to buy some art.

“It was the most amazing show I have ever been too. It was so fun and horrifying,” Wiley said. “The drama in the way his work plays out is really fun to watch; choreographed beauty.”

Art, Activism and Advocacy

In addition to running a studio, Morrison is on the board for Whatcom Museum, he is a part of the Bellingham Art Council, a member of Bellingham Arts Commission, and he is on the Commission for Fine and Performing Arts at Western Washington University.

Morrison also just recently joined the Samish Neighborhood Association. He mainly focuses on gathering background information on Samish in order to formulate ideas to better the neighborhood and the community of people within it.

“He is a community activist that is very well known in the area,” Wiley said. “Through his art he has become a community activist of good regard.

Due to his involvement in the arts, he has become more involved in other issues in the city.”

Shirley Forslof, next door neighbor to Morrison, said that he is a pleasant addition to the neighborhood and believes that his involvement in the Samish Neighborhood Association should help with the effort to improve the community.

“He ran for city council and after that we had our SNA membership meeting and he was interested in joining,” Forslof said. “This is another way to represent the neighborhood and another way to meet the neighbors from around the neighborhood.”

With all the things that Morrison does, art is always infused in his life in one way or another. It has the power to impact people on different levels whether it be with his installation piece that brings a splash of color to Village Books in Fairhaven or the special drinking glasses which are the only glasses that line the cubby holes of Wiley’s kitchen cabinets.

“I think his work is absolutely beautiful,” Wiley said. “And it makes me happy everyday.”