Pascal cont...

The need for a strong type of glass with reinforced wire came about at the request of the railroads, which needed stronger glass in their skylights. Breakage was common prior to the wire glass coming into use and the wire glass proved to be a safer material. Frank Shuman received a patent for wire glass in 1892.

When this story came to light, this writer contacted Pascal through her daughter Jill Petty to try and find out how Pascal came to be in Dunbar. Pascal and Jill Petty sent the Dunbar Historical Society several autographed photos and material which was used for the society’s Dunbar Fest display this past September. Pascal has fond memories of her time in Dunbar and remembers at that time she was a struggling artist and mother. She says, “I would never have achieved the success as a glass sculptor without the glass from Dunbar.” Along with the photos, the society was presented with a copy of her video.

The 2011 fest display drew a large crowd of visitors who marveled at the many colors of glass that was on display along with Pascal’s photos. Arnie and Phyllis Brubaker generously donated several large pieces of dark green, light green and light brown glass to sell. To everyone’s amazement, it sold like hot cakes! Many longtime Dunbar residents exclaimed that they had pieces of this glass in their flower gardens! This writer brought her glass inside, cleaned it and now has it prominently displayed in her window…with a new appreciation for its beauty!

Its funny how something as common as a piece of colored glass from a long-closed Dunbar plant could generate so much interest. Suddenly, visitors and residents alike were holding up the glass and looking at it in the sunlight. Beautiful hues and striations gave it an almost lifelike appearance. It is at this time that one begins to see the beauty that Pascal must have seen as she “became one with the glass.” Pascal is now exclusively represented by her daughter’s company, Liscot Enterprises of Los Angeles, California.

The Dunbar Historical Society has been privileged to share Pascal’s story and Pascal, graciously said she “was honored to have been remembered by the small town which helped her achieve success as a glass sculptor.”

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