Emad Al Natsheh is a master artisan and co-owner of the renowned Hebron Glass and Ceramics Factory in the West Bank. He is part of a multi-generational Palestinian family that has kept the ancient, 300-year-old Phoenician free-blowing glass technique alive in Hebron.
He came to Corning and presented at June 14 STIC meeting.
STIC member Dianne Roe introduced Emad and give some background of the situation in Hebron Al Khalil today. She recounted the thirty year history Corning locals working to make a connection between Hebron-Al Khalil and Corning. A video was shown of Emad blowing glass. Emad will share his family’s glassmaking story and brought samples of his work.
Program notes:
We observed 2 minutes of silence.
Dianne opened – spent time 1995 to 2009 in Hebron on the West Bank. Shared the story of the shooting of a 7 month old boy last week and the beginnings of the settler movement. She reviewed the long history of oppression by the media, government and churches(30+ years).
Here is a video of the June 14 zoom presentation:
Some good news, esp. when people come together. Delegations help individuals to connect. Dianne didn’t mention this but there are still delegations visiting Palestine through Friend of Sabeel.
Not shared at the meeting, this video link was sent by Dianne:
“This is a short video—painful to watch. The grandmother of the seven month old baby who was killed is Feryal Abu Haikal. She was headmistress at Corduba elementary girls’ school in Hebron—Al Khalil when I was there thirty years ago.”
Emad – his family has blown glass in Hebron for 250 years. The goal is to keep his business alive. He is sharing his knowledge of how to blow glass here in Corning. He started at age 5. The goal is to live with peace and justice. His dream is to teach people his glassmaking techniques which come down from the ancient Phoenicians and are very different from how it is done in Corning.
Rodi – a privilege to have Emad in Corning and at her studio. I come from jewish heritage, somewhat ashamed about that. Happy that Emad could visit during the GAS conference. Rodi would like to build a new kiln in Corning like Eman’s. We need to make good examples in the world.
STIC and members of the public in attendance at the Islamic Association of the Finger Lakes in Horseheads (iAFL) were invited to ask clarifying questions and participate in discussion.
Dianne Roe believes the best antidote to the dehumanization of any group of people is to help people connect on a human level.
Dianne’s purpose in introducing Emad is to help us form that connection.
See also: Summer Bush. A Look into the Meaningful History Behind Handmade Glass from Hebron. 21 Jan 2023. Hand Made Palestine.
STIC members advised the Corning Museum of Glass in 2022 on their exhibition, Dig Deeper.
See also: Katherine Larson. From 363 to 2023: Bringing an Ancient Glass Workshop to Life in New Exhibition ‘Dig Deeper’. 23 May 2023. Corning Museum Blog.
Katherine Larson was the Curator of Ancient Glass at The Corning Museum of Glass. She is now at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, MD serving as its Chief Collections and Curatorial Affairs Officer and Senior Curator of Ancient Art