(Photo by Kris Todd) Jesse Bogenrief, right, applies a thread to the piece of glass Simeon Lisk is working on. [Order this photo]

Bogenrief Studios will be holding an open house this Memorial Day weekend. The open house will have demonstrations from artists and a piece to be sold in benefit of the Spencer Police Department and Arts on Grand.

"The purpose of the open house is not only to drum up interest in the arts, which is one of an artist's key focal points, but to try to make it so they can survive making art," said artist Jesse Bogenrief. "Of course, my business would survive easier in a bigger city, but I would rather stay in this community because I love this community."

(Photos by Amy Quail) The sale of this piece, which was handcrafted by Jesse Bogenrief, will benefit the Spencer Police Department and Arts on Grand.

Simeon Lisk is one of the artists who will be demonstrating and displaying his work during the open house this weekend. Lisk is a native of Michigan and a 2008 graduate of the fine arts program at Buena Vista University.

"I can't imagine a life without art. It's led me into a trade that's really cool and that I really enjoy doing," Lisk said of his glass work.

The new glass artist at Bogenrief Studios specializes in lamp working, which is done with a torch instead of a kiln. He hopes to combine the lamp working with the traditional glass blowing technique to create new pieces.

Simeon Lisk demonstrates his lamp work. [Order this photo]

* The open house will take place from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. today, Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day at 21 W. Fifth St., Spencer. For more information, contact Bogenrief Studios at 580-5556.