ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Joe Hobbs, a nationally renowned glass artist, has been selected to be the resident artist for The Hot Shop at Orange Beach Art Center.

Hobbs will be responsible for teaching classes, giving demonstrations and coordinating activities at the glass studio.

The Hot Shop will be the only glass studio in Alabama available to the public for tours, demonstrations, events, classes and renting.

Hobbs learned about the new glass facility during a visit to the center to view the gallery for his upcoming solo exhibit “Sinners and Saints,” which opens Sept. 4.

While there he met Joe Thompson, who along with wife, Debbie, of Bear Creek Glass donated the glass equipment for The Hot Shop.

Joe Thompson says, “Joe Hobbs will be a great asset for The Hot Shop. He brings with him several years of teaching experience, and he is a great artist.”

Hobbs began the glass program at the Belmont Art Center in Pensacola in 2001. He has taught hundreds of students the art of glass blowing from all over the country

Hobbs himself has studied with international glass masters at Dale Chihuly’s famed Pilchuck Glass School, where Hobbs returned to work in 2006.

He is currently working on his master’s of fine arts degree at the University of West Florida, and his art has won numerous awards.

The grand opening of The Hot Shop will be Aug. 21, from 6-9 p.m.

Everyone is invited to watch Hobbs demonstrate glass blowing at the opening.