Rehashed: Degenerate Flame Off

Degenerate Flame Off (DFO) is an annual three-day celebration of functional glass art in Oregon. Originally conceptualized in 2009 as the first-ever public competition for glass artists creating borosilicate smokeware, DFO has grown to become one of the largest community gatherings in the world for artists, art enthusiasts and lovers of flameworking culture in general. Despite changing locations and taking different forms and formats over the last 15 years, the event always maintains the same fiery DNA and rebellious spirit.

Northstar Glassworks, one of the originators and the main facilitator since 2018, hosted this year’s festivities in Portland. The 2024 program featured an exhibition-heavy schedule stacked with a selection of premier glass artists demonstrating their signature techniques. Some of the main events in the lineup included a three-day functional glass piece demo from AKM, Cap’n Crunk and Coyle; a shot glass competition judged via people’s choice voting; a tie-dye competition; giveaways; and an assortment of other activities taking place across the multi-day schedule.

Regardless of how attendees choose to spend their time, it’s hard to walk around DFO without getting distracted by an array of interesting sights, sounds and smells. A wide menagerie of vendors is set up in every nook and cranny of the bazaar. Predictably, there’s a large assortment of glass, glass accessories and glass art for sale, but the sheer quality and magnitude of the work on display are completely mesmerizing. It feels surreal, wondrous and a little bit like walking around a kaleidoscopic, borosilicate-faceted museum. Food vendors, craftspeople and even a variety of local farmers and processors are stationed at individualized booths, cheerfully showcasing and discussing their wares. The passion for sharing their craft is palpable, and the unifying factor across every person and brand is a genuine love for glass and the DFO community.

Glassblowing demonstrations are one of the main draws for DFO and it’s no surprise why. Witnessing an artist create living, breathing art right in front of a captivated audience is an experience that’s hard to describe. Those in attendance might explain it as a rush of excitement and a perceptible feeling of magic in the air. As the demonstrations crescendo and the artists make progress on their pieces, it feels akin to being in a crowd watching an Olympic sporting event: bated breath, tangible tension, a collective gasp and widening of eyes as the last support gets disconnected, and the rush of applause when a piece makes it safely into the kiln. The experience is communal and transcendent — it goes beyond the physical realm and becomes an interconnected emotional catharsis felt by everybody in the room.

Glass is a fusion of science and art, and it’s amazing to see how many different methods the artists employ to bring their visions to life — from fuming to wig wags to sculptural design. Lea Littleleaf, aka Indigenous Glass, one of the artists selected to demonstrate this year, explains, “Glass is alchemy; glass is magic. It holds energy. The pursuit of glass is one of depth and translating beauty from the world around us into art. There are so many beautiful things, and to be able to translate that into glass is a privilege. It’s not about competing for the limited money there is out there; it’s about pouring love into each and every piece.”

The cultural impact of DFO cannot be understated. For the past 15 years, it has provided a platform for artists to showcase their work, but even more than that, it has offered an environment for the glass community to grow closer and form connections. DFO became a home for degenerates, artists and individuals who may feel like misfits in other segments of their lives. It’s a refuge where people are safe, celebrated and surrounded by like-minded people. It makes sense that the event was monikered “Degenerate Family Reunion” last year — getting to see old friends and spend time together in a world that moves too fast and doesn’t always allow for that space is an invaluable experience that should be celebrated. The fact that it’s all taking place within this curated universe of functional glass art and positive vibes makes for an unparalleled adventure.

Cannabis and glass culture are closely intertwined, and we at Oregon Leaf are incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to be involved with such a prestigious event as Degenerate Flame Off. A colossal amount of appreciation goes to Northstar, the sponsors and the volunteers who made this year’s celebration possible.

northstarglass.com | @dfofamilyreunion | @northstarglass

A comprehensive list of artists and sponsors for the event is listed below.

Shot Glass Competition

Winner

Johnston Glass (@johnstonglass) with Gary the Snail from Spongebob sculptural shot glass
Windstar x Stephan Peirce Glass (@windstar_glass x @stephan_peirce)
Brien 9 Fingers x Fire Fox Glass (@brien9fingers x @firefoxglass)
Ra Glass (@ra_glass)
Big Tom Glass (@bigtomglass)
Trenton Nuzum (@trentonglassworks)
Relic Glassworks (@relic_glassworks)
Cam Tower (@c_tower_studios)
Shaggy (@glassartbyshaggy)
Hezakiah (@hezakiah1984)

Demo Artists

AKM (@pipemaker)
Asa Meyer (@asa_glass)
Big Tom Glass (@bigtomglass)
Blossom Glass Art (@blossom_glass)
Blueberry (@blueberry503)
Bob Snodgrass (@bobsnodgrass1998)
Boro Farm Glass (@borofarm)
Cam Tower (@c_tower_studios)
Cap’n Crunk (@crunklestein)
Chris Carlson (@carlsonjones)
Coyle (@coylecondenser)
Darby Holm (@darbyholmglass)
E.Bitten (@e_bittenglass)
Ewok Glass (@ewokglass)
Flexer Jones (@flexerjones)
Four Winds Flameworks (@fourwindsflameworks)
Fumegazi (@fumegazi)
Gasp (@gasp.one)
Gong (@original_gongster)
Grampa Facets (@grampafacets)
Harold Ludeman (@haroldludemanglass)
Hoodrattshit (@hoodrattshit)
Indigenous Glass (@indigenousglass)
Jason Walker (@jasonwalkerglassart)
JD Maplesden (@jdmaplesdenglass)
John Dillinger (@therealdillinger)
Josh McDaniel (@mcmilleman)
J Worth Glass (@jworthit)
Katy Wright (@katywrightglass)
Kid Glass (@kidglass)
Les Moor (@les_moor)
Mama’s Glass (@mamasglass)
Marina Glass (@mar.ina.glass)
Maxxswell (@maxxswell)
Mia Shea (@miasheaglass)
Mike Luna (@mikelunaglass)
Mina Glass (@mina.glass.sk8)
Nathan Belmont (@nate.belmont)
Northern Waters Glass (@northernwatersglass)
Phil Siegel (@philsiegelglass)
Portland Dabber (@portland.dabber)
Psychedelic Sasquatch (@psychedelicsasquatch)
Quest Glass (@questglass)
Rad Glass (@radglass)
RA Glass (@ra_glass)
Scott Moan (@scomomoanet)
Shurlokholm (@shurlokholm)
Strottle (@strottle_gang)
Whitney Harmon Glass (@whitneyharmonglass_)
Windstar Glass (@windstar_glass)