Cal Breed, a native of Florence, Alabama, is recognized as one of the Southeast’s most seasoned glass artists/sculptors. Cal and his wife, Christy Breed, own and run Orbix Hot Glass on Little River Canyon in Ft. Payne, AL where Cal and his team make functional and decorative glass along with his sculptural works. The functional work has been used for years as a tool to sharpen his sensitivities to the material as well as to teach and refine the craftsmanship and the artistic skills of his team. The studio’s proximity to this National Preserve has served as a wellspring of artistic inspiration while exploring in and around these natural areas. Breed believes that time spent in quietness is important, and much of his work is intended to encourage the viewer to pause, think, question, ponder, and wonder. As this joy for learning has flowed over into the love of glass as an expressive material, Cal’s lifelong love of practice and observation, along with 29 years of time developing an intuitive feel for glass and a poetic approach to this material has proved to be a uniquely personal way to fluently express ideas. Numerous awards and honors have been given for his work including, the Alabama State Council of Arts Individual Artist Grant for 2005 and 2015, the 2004 Niche Award, scholarships to Pilchuck Glass School, scholarships to Haystack Mtn. School, and 2007 Corning Foundation Award from Pilchuck Glass School. Breed’s work is found in many private and public collections, including The Huntsville Museum of Art, The Wiregrass Museum of Art, and The Montgomery Museum of Art.