Meet Dustin Wagner | Glassblower

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dustin Wagner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dustin, why did you pursue a creative career?
Creativity has always been a natural feeling and an easy pursuit ever since I was a kid. I always found myself constructing something out of nothing. That satisfied feeling afterwards is something I’ve continued to chase my whole life. Being a glassblower it still amazes me that I can make something one day and the next day it is done, instant gratification! That reward is something that still fills my soul daily and is what keeps me completely enthralled in the glass making process, and has for 20 years now.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being an artist is not easy. We have to create and reinvent ourselves every day. It can really be a mental bee hive of madness at times, but I believe staying consistent in my pursuit was always the most important factor.

What sets me apart from most people when creating work is I don’t make what people want, I create objects that I want to see exist. I call it creating from the inner landscape. To create what never existed. I feel strongly about my journey for that reason and also one other big gigantic reason! I saved money for 15 years, lived in dire conditions at times and ate usually only twice a day if that, which allowed me to pay for all my equipment and my financial portion of co-owning a building. I am not owned by a bank and owe no one anything. It’s great! To do this though you need to be really tough and you really need to know what your saving for. As for myself, I always knew I was going to build a glassblowing studio. It was just a matter of when and where and of course perfect timing helps. Being your own investor though, there is nothing more satisfying.

The biggest lesson I have learned along the way is let people help you. You can do a lot of things alone but a helping hand is a true gift. Also, stay in shape! When your working 7 days a week you must be physically ready every day. For a 20 year journey though there are countless lessons.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Around Dayton there are tons of great metro parks and when your deep into them you feel as if your not in Ohio anymore. So that’s a start. Nightlife around town is great, there are roof top bars and underground bars and everything in between. Downtown Dayton is really bursting with energy so all you have to do is wonder around and you’ll find something special. One of my favorite things to do is thrift so of course I know all the great hotspots for the best deals! Dayton also has a lot of historic neighborhoods that I bike through daily so we would definitely be biking everywhere! On top of all that I found that daytonians are the nicest people around and I have been around so that’s saying something!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Four special people helped me in achieving my dream studio. My Dad helped with a lot of the framing in my shop and it’s a joy knowing that his knowledge of being a contractor is here forever at the shop. It’s all those hundreds of cuts and measurements that helps elevate the foundation on which I create glass now. Second is my Girlfriend and business partner Beth Hart. The best way I can put this is before I met her I thought I had to do it all on my own, the financing, marketing, managing tenants, and so on. But what I didn’t realize with her is that when I started trusting her my life doubled in size and what we as a team were able to accomplish was astounding. Third is my Brother who showed me the ways of the glass and truly led me down this path. Without my older brother to guide me I likely would have ended up in the gutter. Lastly, my Mother who has always encouraged me to just be who I am and to keep going and be silly while doing so. Haha

Website: https://Nyminalglass.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyminal_glass/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlassTetheredMind?mibextid=JRoKGi

Image Credits
Dustin wagner/owner of Nyminal Glass Dayton, Ohio