Steve Beasley

On a beautiful fall day in 1974, a man with a trailer on the Peace Mall changed the history of Central’s art program. His name was Steve Beasley, and he was a traveling glassblower come to give a presentation of his work. Standing to one side was John Vruwink ’58, professor of art with a specialty in ceramics. At the time, glassblowing was just beginning in the U.S., and many potters were interested in the process. Vruwink, enthralled, took Beasley aside to say he was interested in doing some glassblowing at Central. For $1,000, Beasley offered to come back for two weeks to set up a studio and teach the basics. At the time, Central would have been the only college in Iowa to offer glassblowing. The administration approved the expense, on the condition that any Central student be allowed to sign up.