For glass artist Scott Hartley, creativity has been a lifelong thread. As a child, he filled pages with pencil drawings and paintings, never imagining that art could become a full-time career. That shifted 26 years ago when he discovered glass—a medium that reshaped his life, his work, and the way he engages with the world. “I always thought it would be a dream to do art as a job,” he says. “I didn’t think that was realistic until I found glass.”

Scott’s early artistic journey was marked not by encouragement, but by doubt. Teachers and mentors often discouraged him from pursuing his dreams, a challenge that ultimately fueled his determination. “I learned a lot about what I didn’t want to be in my life from those people,” he says. In contrast, his family was a continual source of creativity and support, providing the foundation he needed to keep moving forward.

Today, Scott works from a studio with deep history—an old blacksmith shop from the 1930s in Benton, Kansas, transformed into a glassblowing studio and gallery with the help of family and friends. His days begin early, turning on the furnaces and reheating chambers that take hours to reach working temperature. While the studio warms, he and his assistants polish finished pieces, prepare orders, contact clients, and plan for the day’s designs. Once the glass is hot, the true rhythm begins.

“There is a great flow and timing to blowing glass,” he explains. “A dance of sorts with the molten glass, but also with my assistant who helps with color and timing.” For several focused hours, he shapes pieces that must be completed quickly—glass waits for no one. The medium has taught him precision, adaptability, and acceptance. Mistakes still happen, especially when pushing glass to its extremes, but Scott views them as essential teachers: “The key is to not make the same mistake twice.”

Scott works with intention, noting that glass does not allow him to wander without direction. Experience has shifted his relationship with the medium from reacting to it—What will the glass allow me to do today?—to directing it: This is what I want the glass to do today. That shift has led to more cohesive and dynamic work.

His inspirations come from many sources—nature, travel, sunsets, and the colors that appear in simple moments. But above all, his family shapes his work. His wife, Gwen, and their children—Cal, Claire, and Lola—are at the heart of his artistic life. The loss of Claire and Lola transformed both Scott and his creative voice. “I will always strive to make my glass as beautiful as they were,” he shares. “Though I doubt I will ever achieve this.” His work becomes a reflection of love, memory, and the stunning beauty he sees in the world.

Connection is a recurring theme in Scott’s art. A former high school biology teacher, he views both people and glass through the lens of interconnectedness. He often returns to a guiding quote: “We walk through this world independently, yet we are all connected… designed to stand alone yet intertwine, to perfectly balance yet defy gravity, and to harmonize despite diversity.”

New forms and colors continually energize his practice, and his website, www.infinityartglass.com, highlights his evolving work and exhibitions.

To emerging artists, Scott offers simple but powerful advice: be passionate, learn the business side, commit to the process, and stay present. “Love the journey of your art,” he says. “If you’re always focused on the destination, you’ll miss the creative moments that shape you.”

Success, for Scott, is the ability to keep creating meaningful work—pieces that resonate with him and bring joy to others. And if he could speak to his younger self, he would say: “Keep dreaming. You will achieve what you strive for. Stay grateful and humble—they will always be your compass.”

Where to Experience Scott’s Work

You can experience Scott’s radiant glass creations in person at Juelerye in downtown Mooresville, where handcrafted and artist-made pieces are the standard. Located at 112 S. Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115, Juelerye is open seven days a week and is a perfect place to discover something meaningful this season.