It’s funny how you can live in a place your whole life and never realize all of the wonderful things your community has to offer.  I recently found one of those “hidden gems” just north of Wichita in Kechi.  Karg Art Glass is a 3,500-square-foot gallery that showcases artwork produced by over 100 artists including glass, metal, ceramics, jewelry and more. Karg offers a diverse range of products and services, going beyond blown glass, allowing you to discover new and unique art forms. Founder and artisan Rollin Karg sat down with us recently to tell us about his remarkable career and the business that thrives in the heart of Kechi.

Rollin Karg has an interesting story.  He started out as an engineer with a photography hobby. He was always interested in art and would buy pieces from time to time as investments. It wasn’t until a trip to the Corning Art Museum in upstate New York that glass art and glass blowing piqued his interest. Rollin told us, “I made some investments there, but it stuck in my mind, and I quit my job. I did some woodworking, but it wasn’t until he bought a piece from a local artist who also was an instructor at Emporia State University. He told him about seeing museum glass and the glass blowers and said, “I kind of like that. Looks like it'd be fun to do.” He told Rollin, “I have one spot left in my fall class.” He drove to Emporia and signed up. It was 1990 and Rollin was 38 years old. He finished the class and started his business out in the backyard with a little furnace. He improvised because he didn't really know how to do that. Nobody knew.  They were pioneers. He had two 10-year-old kids at home and a wife. They decided “Everybody's gonna pitch in. We started out melting Pepsi bottles. Many people have never seen the glass blowing in Kansas” and so with the help of his neighbor, Kevin Nunn, who happened to be a reporter, the word got out there. Anytime he needed a story, but didn't have anything, he was like “Hey Rollin, you know like a pinch hitter,” he said. “Then of course, if you're on TV and the news, we're off to the races.”

 Rollin explained, “When we started, I thought if we made thirteen paperweights a day, we could probably make a living, I just had no idea what the hell I was doing. My wild guess it turned out to be right.” A few years, and a new gas line later, the demand was on the rise.  His boys got a little older and “they started gathering glass out of the furnace and were just breaking them off. My production went up about 30%. Then, when they were doing more, it was doubling my production.” They hired an artisan who worked with him for one fall and “by the time he left after three months we were doing 47 pieces a day,” said Rollin.

It was time to branch out on their sales.  Of course, this was before the internet, so he took pictures of the paperweights they were making and sent them to a publisher of an art gallery book.   It was a catalog.  He was getting it back 70% response and about 50% solid orders. That was the beginning of his national recognition.  The family started traveling to art shows and selling out.  Karg Art Glass was making a name for themselves.   Eventually, Rollin had pieces in over 500 galleries nationwide.

Back home, they opened a small gallery up the street from their current location. “I thought I could just make enough money off that gallery. We had a little gallery that was 450 square feet. If we make enough money, I'll be happy. The first month and after that it was way higher, and it turned into being a pretty good deal.” And. of course, by that time they had friends literally all over the world, but especially in America, who were artists. At each art show they attended across the US, the Kargs met new artists and started buying their products to sell on consignment in their little gallery.  Before long, there was blown glass, pottery, jewelry, and extremely unique kaleidoscopes for sale in the gallery from up to 120 other artists.   It didn’t take long to realize they needed a new space.  So, they moved down the street to their current location which they have been in for 20 years.

The Kargs want to give back to the craft that has brought Rolling so much joy. They have several artists “on what we call card scholarships” explained Rollin. So, they learn and practice at the gallery using one of the 5 furnaces in the back and once they have some skills, they come into work they must make 5 ornaments per day to pay their bill. “Eventually they'll end up as leasees here you know started businesses,” said Rollin. In addition to tutoring young artists, Karg Art Glass also shares their skills with the general public. You can watch the artisans blowing glass or try your hand at it. There are daily times you can schedule to blow your own ornaments and/or paperweights, as well as a Make Your Own Fused Glass workshop. The fusing starts at $25 and goes up depending on what you choose to make, and the blow your own is $37.50 per person.

They have a schedule of days and as we inch towards the holiday season. After Black Friday, the hours will be extended. “We do accommodate team building and private parties even after hours,” said Karen Karg. “You can bring in people, wine or whatever is fine, and we have one of our staff members help coordinate. We had somebody who called and wanted to have a wedding during our business hours on a Saturday afternoon. They stood up in front of the fireplace, which is exactly where Rollin and I got married. Then everybody went back and made an ornament,” she said.

If you are looking for a local business to support or just something unique to do as a family or for a date night, take a drive to the gallery. Over the holidays they are open seven days a week and the hours are 9 to 5:30 Monday through Saturday and Sunday is 11 to 4. Karg Art Glass is located at 111 N Oliver in Kechi.  You can call in advance to make an appointment 316.744.2442 or check out their website at www.rollinkarg.com.