Utah Valley Family Adventures: Holdman Studios

Holdman Studios is located at Thanksgiving Point just east of where Cornbelly's pops up in October. You can go on a free tour of the studio and experience first-hand the "open museum." At Holdman Studios, they create all kinds of glass projects. While we were there, the main project seemed to be creation of the stained glass windows for the Payson Temple. They call this an "open museum" because you can walk around the studio and look over the shoulders of the artists working on the glass. You get a really nice idea of the project.

The studio is open and you can wander wherever you like.

There is a small gallery to stroll through with beautiful glass art, including a really cool Christmas tree. Of course, there is plenty of stuff for sale, but the cost of admittance is free.

The highlight of the tour is watching through a window as they blow glass objects. Chairs are set up, and an artist takes glass that has been heated glowing hot and stretches it into different shapes. For $30 you can make and keep your own glass flower (with a little assistance). We watched as two people made glass flowers. They chose their colors, then used tools to pull and stretch the glass into a bell shape. Finally, the artist cut the glass and put it aside to cool (for 24 hours).

We liked this adventure. It seems that every time we think we've discovered everything about Thanksgiving Point, we find something new.

Try out Holdman Studios. If you go in a group, you can request a tour. It is best to call ahead, though, to make sure artists are working on the day you go. The number is 801.766.411. Business hours are 9am-5pm (10am-5pm on Saturdays) closed Sunday.