The History of Orient and Flume Art Glass

Orient & Flume was founded in 1972 bypaperweights so valuable among glass collectors.
noted glass artist Douglas Boyd. The company'sArtists Bruce Sillars, Chris Sherwin, Richard Braley,
unique name was derived from its locationScott Beyers and William Carter work individually
between Orient Street and Flume Street in Chico,as well as collaboratively to create the
California. It was at this location that Douglasbreathtaking works of art produced at Orient and
purchased an historic carriage house andFlume. While most Orient & Flume art glass
transformed it into an art glass studio. Orientcreations do somewhat adhere to a common
& Flume's stunning art glass creations quicklytheme, each artist has the freedom to add their
became popular and by 1973 the business hadown individual touch and style.
grown too large for the small carriage house. TheOrient & Flume's art glass works can be
company was then relocated to Park Avenue infound in the permanent collections of the
Chico where it remains to this very day.Smithsonian Museum, the Chicago Art Institute,
Orient & Flume's early blown glass creationsthe Metropolitan Museum, the Chrysler Museum
centered on recreating the iridescent glass piecesand the Corning Glass Museum. In addition they
made famous by such companies as Tiffany,can be found in numerous private collections and
Steuben, and Loetz. Over time this evolved intogalleries worldwide. Their beautiful works are
their current creations of three dimensionaladmired and respected by glass collectors
designs within clear glass. This eye-catching effectworldwide.
is part of what makes their vases and