Dasein and Jonathan begin their
journey at Hilltop Artists

If life is a journey, not a destination, it’s important to find good companions along the way. People who can help you overcome bumps in the road, give advice on the best route, and buoy your spirit.

When Dasein (she/they) started at Hilltop Artists in the After-School program in the fall of 2021, she was afraid. “At first, I didn’t want to do it. I was just very scared,” says Dasein.

Now you’re probably thinking, of course! Fire, heat, glass – that’s scary! But for Dasein, her fear came from the prospect of meeting new people. But they faced their fear and stuck with it because they were drawn to the way that glass helped them focus. 

“I made a piece called Forced Focus as a tribute to my love for glassblowing,” shares Dasein.  “I feel like I’m always all over the place. And then when I’m doing glass, everything just stops in place,” like it provides a roadmap of skills to practice and abilities to acquire.

When teaching artist Jonathan (he/him) started working with Dasein in the Summer Glass Arts program, he was impressed with her perseverance and courage. That summer, Jonathan had many new students, but he knew Dasein was a returning student and tailored the curriculum to her interests, which included her desire to master making plates.

Jonathan remembers telling Dasein, “Plates are great because they’re hard to make at first, but are a great training tool.” Jonathan notes that most kids lose interest when they hear that something is going to take a lot of work. But not Dasein. 

“Dasein was like, ‘Cool! I’m going to do that and practice my plates.’ And that’s what we practiced all summer. The plates just got better and better. And sometimes bigger and bigger. And the enthusiasm was really there.”

Dasein and Jonathan embarked on a plate-making odyssey, completing over 20 plates that summer. Dasein continued to trek on her own, for a total of 32 plates and counting! Dasein thrived under Jonathan’s guidance and they built a genuine rapport on their journey.

“When I first met J [as the students call Jonathan], he was so nice and kind, and not intimidating at all! I absolutely love working with him. I don’t want to be biased, but he’s my favorite teacher. I feel that he taught me the most.”

Jonathan is our newest teaching artist. Trained at the Tulsa Glassblowing School, with experience gained at Monarch Glass Studio in Kansas City and the Pittsburgh Glass Center, he brings new perspectives and a fresh approach to teaching. He has been an inspiration for Dasein, who hopes to someday be a Hilltop Artists instructor themself. 

Dasein is already helping other students: they are currently a teaching assistant in our After-School program, which is impressive considering Dasein is still in middle school themself.

Dasein credits Jonathan for strengthening their ability to anticipate when and how someone might need help. In turn, Jonathan says seeing Dasein passing on their knowledge, “Makes my heart really full.”

Dasein says that “Teaching is really hard!” but she wants to do it because “I want kids to grow up like me, and be enthusiastic about something. And if this is it, I want that to happen for them.”

When Dasein enters the hot shop, it’s clear that this is a place where she feels comfortable and has a sense of ownership. In fact, she tries to be at the hot shop every moment she can, even if it means cleaning and helping out with repairs (because this journey is about vocation not vacation!)

Jonathan has been inspired, supporting Dasein as they grow. Her enthusiasm for every Hilltop Artists’ opportunity led Jonathan to let he know that he would always want her on his glassblowing team: 

I would want you on my team just because of who you are. I would, a hundred times to one, pick someone I relate to, who gives me good energy and I have a good time around. And most importantly on a team is the work ethic. Undoubtedly, you’ve got the desire and the drive. You will be able to do whatever you want as long as you approach it with that. And for me, that’s why you’d always be on my team.

Dasein’s favorite part of glassblowing is the process. Or the journey you might say. She acknowledges that it can be stressful, managing multiple tasks, responding to the glass and her team, and of course, the heat. “It’s a good stress,” says Dasein. The kind of stress that can foster growth, and results in something beautiful. Friendship. (You thought I was going to say “glass art,” didn’t you?)

Dasein and Jonathan have developed a meaningful mentor/mentee relationship thanks to donors like you. When you give to Hilltop Artists, students like Dasein have a place to take on new challenges with the support of caring and engaged adults.

We ask you to help us reach our year end goal of $50,000. These funds support Hilltop Artists’ programming, which not only provides a map for learning critical skills like creativity, collaboration, and tenacity, but also provides a rest stop with services to meet our students’ holistic needs.

If dedication and consistency are important destinations in your travels, please consider becoming a monthly donor by joining our Murrini Club.

We are truly thankful to be on this journey with kind and generous people like you… and patient, to put up with my traveling analogy. You’re definitely patient in addition to being kind and generous!

Warmly,

Dr. Kimberly F. Keith