JAM FACTORY: Morphett Street in the City of Adelaide region of South Australia

It's now almost two and a half years since South Australians marvelled at the swirling creations of the master glass blower Dale Chihuly. Chihuly - a child of the sixties - rarely holds back, as you might remember if you saw some of his work at the Jam Factory or scattered among some of Adelaide's local landmarks.

Chihuly.. a resident of Seattle.. is arguably the greatest living glass artist... an ex-hippie who's unique style created a new market for those who sweat it out on what glass workers call the hot shop. His work has inspired many including Dante Marioni.. who's been at the Jam Factory in Adelaide.. as part of Arts SA's Returning Artist in Residency Scheme... passing on tips to the locals.

“My father's a studio glass artist in Seattle and so I was exposed to glass blowing when I was probably ten years old."

Now almost thirty years on... and there's not much this man doesn't know about glass blowing. There's an almost umbilical connection between Dante Marioni and his colleague.. fellow Seattle glass artist Janusz Pozniak.. as they breathe new life into a centuries old artform.

The pieces created here are nothing like the amorphous sixties inspired marvels of Chihuly.. and Dante's father. For this glass artist.. and his colleague Janusz... the emphasis is on more classical lines.... and over the years many have been drawn to the magic of Dante's inferno.

"My work is sort of symmetrical and generally colourful mostly and classical I suppose would be the best way to describe it in a word."

"And where have your influences for that come from?"

"A lot of twentieth century phoenician designers, phoenician glas designers. over the last one hundred years there's been a lot of innovative glass work has been made in Venice on the island of Marano."

From Marano to Adelaide and even the White House... glass art has attracted some very powerful admirers.

“The Clintons put together a collection of objects and they featured some of mine.. but I think the Bush's have cleaned them out."

"Why is that do you think?"

"I honestly can't answer that.. maybe it's because they're from Texas, and like cows."

Many of Dante Marioni's pieces are now on show at the viewing deck of the glass artist's studio in the Jam Factory. And if you want to watch some of the local at work head to 19 Morphett Street in the city. It's free. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au