A Young Sicilian Glass Maker

When he creates pieces of fusion glassware in his studio- Laboratorio Artistico di Borgese Enzo- 'LA.Bor.' tucked in under a village house in a street once called, via del Segreto, ‘the street of the secret’, Enzo Borgese speaks of the love he has for his ancient mountain village, Polizzi Generosa and his need to stay there, remain connected and create pieces of glassware; in the depths of the Madonie mountains.

Just metres from the once noble 16th century Palazzo Carpinello LA.Bor. is filled with jewel like coloured glass objects: lamp bases, jewellery, tables, plates, towel rails and more.

A Visit to LA.Bor. in 2014:

When I visited in the summer of 2014 Enzo greeted me warmly and continued working on dozens of colourful photo frames; a bomboniere order from a local family for an upcoming Baptism; we talked as he worked solo.

When so many young Sicilians are leaving their villages to find work I asked Enzo why he has stayed. “I am in love with Polizzi and want to give something to the town”, and just before he said, “the ages mix well here”, a boy passing by dropped in to say, “Ciao Enzo.”

Enzo Travels and Learns:

Back in 2010 Enzo travelled to Malta to be introduced to and learn the centuries old art of fusion glass making; the melting of glass to create patterns and effects by fusing pieces of glass and adding metallic oxides; it has long been an art in the Mediterranean and was very likely perfected by the Romans over 2000 years ago.

On his return from Malta, armed with knowledge and a grant from the government of Sicily, La Regione della Sicilia, Enzo got started; he set up a studio in 2011 and began experimenting and creating.

The kiln he uses is set at 850 degrees Celsius; it is electric and an object, set in a fine mould can take up to 5 hours to create.

He uses sheets of transparent and coloured Florentine glass from a supplier in Caltanisetta, a village about 40 minutes from Polizzi down the A19 autostrada.

Enzo's Pieces Shipped to the Other Side of the World:

Enzo has created individually designed pieces for guests holidaying at The Sicilian House's Palazzo Notar Nicchi and has shipped them to places as distant as sub tropical Byron Bay on Australia’s Pacific Coast.