RUSSELL — Custom glassblowing by James Haffner is being featured at The Deines Cultural Center in Russell. The opening reception for the show will be Sunday, Feb. 16, from 2-4 p.m. It will be opening for viewing until March 23.
Haffner is a retired naval veteran from Hoxie who began glassblowing years ago as a form of therapy for injuries he experienced while in service.  When Haffner is not creating his own work, he is assisting other veterans with injuries in their creative pursuits. He is in the process of starting his own charity to support veterans in the arts, said Deines Director Shannon Trevethan, who describes his work as “colorful and inspiring.”
“I am confident I will continue to create beautiful glass pieces in my attempts to better my injuries and help others,” Haffner said. “I love how my art inspires a different emotion in each person that sees it. I love getting inspiration from everyday life and work to put it into my art. I do my best to do this for others as well who ask me to help their inspirations come to light.”
The Deines Cultural Center is located at 820 North Main Street in Russell. The galleries are open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.