AACG News
Chihuly Garden and Glass and GAS Launch Study of Glass Art in America
Seattle-based Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Glass Art Society (GAS), in collaboration with GMA Research, have partnered to conduct an in-depth study of the State of Glass Art in America. The process, which kicked-off in November 2015, will look into the most active regions for glass art and provide a benchmark to measure future growth and experimentation. A "State of Glass" report is expected in early Spring 2016.
Though glass has ancient traditions in Europe, it's a relatively young art form in the United States. Just over 50 years ago factory facilities were producing glass works but the idea of "glass art" didn't exist. It took glass pioneer Harvey Littleton, a ceramics professor at the University of Wisconsin, launching the first glass program in America in 1962 to bring the idea of studio glass to fruition. Since those beginnings, interest and experimentation with glass art has flourished. Organizations like Pilchuck Glass School in the Pacific Northwest, GAS, Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and The Corning Museum of Glass in upstate New York have become pillars in the glass art community, making their regions central to the studio movement in the United States. The "State of Glass" will take into account active hot shops, education institutions, tourism, galleries, working artists and public perception to establish a benchmark for the industry.
"Here in the Pacific Northwest we have a storied history of glass that began, in part, with Dale Chihuly co-founding the Pilchuck Glass School in 1971," said Michelle Bufano, executive director, Chihuly Garden and Glass. "That tradition, which began organically with artists coming here to experiment and share ideas, has created an incredible economy around tourism, education and art."
"We are thrilled to be able to reach out into the community to get a comprehensive look at the state of glass in America," said Pamela Koss, executive director, Glass Art Society. "The world of art made with glass continues to evolve and this study will give everyone a true viewpoint of where we are today."
| Posted 16 Jan 12
