By Ann Nichols, Arts Writer

In a few weeks, Ignis Glass Studio and Gallery will open its doors in a new location. Owner Christopher Mosey has moved his business from Carter Street to Off Main Art Collective, 1800 Rossville Ave., Suite 4.

“This 5,000-square-foot space is almost three times larger and will not only house Chris’ working studio, but an art glass gallery as well,” said Grace Kim, studio manager for Ignis Glass.

The new space will also help Mr. Mosey fulfill another dream — to be able to create glass sculpture of unconstrained scope and size.

Chattanoogans have watched the artist’s work evolve during the seven years he has been in the city. He continually expands his aesthetic vision to experiment with ideas for new series of work. At present, he creates at least seven distinct bodies of work. The most recent and popular is his Geode Series.

“They are the most fun for me right now and people really seem to like them,” he explained.

Like the Geodes, his Chrysalis Series is inspired by an object from nature — the cocoon. His sand bottles, ritual urns and Archaeological Series reflect his early training as a potter and love for irregularity. However, the majority of his pieces involve enveloping a central form with threads, strands or other shapes of glass.

“I’ve always been attracted to things that wrap and the Corset Series is an extension of that,” he said.

Mr. Mosey graduated from the Appalachian School for Crafts, where he studied with Curtiss Brock. Following graduation, he taught glass blowing there, as well as at Haystack and the Pilchuck Glass School.

The Indiana native settled in Chattanooga because he said there is so much going on here, the area is geographically beautiful, and the community really embraces the arts.

“I have always found Chattanooga a great place for an artist to put down roots, spread out and explore making new work,” he said. “There is a cultural renaissance in downtown Chattanooga with an explosion of small businesses and new stores. The Off Main Art Collective will bring even more excitement and energy to the area.”

Ignis Glass Studio and Gallery is scheduled to open in early June. For information, call 265-2565 or visit www.ignisglass.com.