Visiting glassblower has trailer filled $40,000 worth of art stolen from Columbus Air bnb

Florida-based glass artist Joe Hobbs was visiting the Columbus Arts Festival for the first time as a vendor. And while he left central Ohio with far less art than he came with, it wasn’t in a good way.

According to Hobbs, when he woke up Monday morning after taking part in the Arts Festival over the weekend, his trailer–which housed an estimated $40,000 worth of blown glass that took several thousand hours to create–was gone.

“Sometime when I was asleep, someone was able to detach and drag it away,” he told 614Now. “I had it parked where I could see it from the window of the Air bnb, but it weighs so much, I didn’t even think it was possible to steal.”

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

You can donate to Hobbs’ Fundraiser here.

The Florida artist–known for his innovative technique applying two-dimensional images to glass using decals–was visiting Columbus with his wife and two children. He hopes to take place at an arts festival in Denver in several weeks, but noted he has “a lot of catching up to do” to make it to that event.

If you know anything about the theft, please contact Columbus Police.

Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY