The Corning Glass Museum

Now that I am into glass, we had to make a stop at The Corning Glass Museum.

Founded in 1951 by Corning Glass Works as a gift to the nation for the company's 100 anniversary. The Corning Museum of Glass is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to telling the story of a single material: glass.

Besides the galleries there are many live glass demonstrations. The one below is of the Hot Glass Show. We also saw Flame work Demo, Optical Fiber Demo, and Glass Breaking Demo.  Demonstrations last between 15 and 30 minutes.

The first exhibit we saw was  Masters of Studio Glass: Richard Marquis.

As an artist, Marquis is admired for his understanding of color and form as much as for his humor and willingness to experiment.  As a glassblower, he has influenced an entire generation of artists working in glass who aspire to his technical mastery and the originality of his vision.

This exhibit changes bringing works of other glassblowers in, who have mastered the art of studio glass.

We took a tour of the museum to get an overview. 

Going first to the Ben W. Heineman Sr. Family Contemporary Gallery.

Pieces I liked.

Dale Chihuly

Howard Ben Tre

Two others that I didn't get the name of the artist.

The second gallery that we went to on the tour was: Origins of Glass.

It showed the progression of Glass in art through the ages.

Hellenistic glass

Glass in the Islamic World

The Rise of Venetian Glass

19th-Century European Glass

Brooklyn Flint Glass ca 1823.

Frederick Carder's Gallery.

Carder (1861-1963) was an experienced designer who was familiar with the technical processes of glass making.  In his years with Steuben Glass Works, he explored new forming and decorating techniques, made blanks for cutting and engraving, and produced cut and engraved glass. In 1933, Frederick Carder was promoted to design director at Corning Glass Works.  He supervised the production of large-scale architectural pieces and made one-of-a-kind objects.  Carder retired at the age of 96.

You could also take classes during your visit.  I took bead making.  I made one bead.  It was harder than it looked, but it was fun.  The instructor said the learning curve is quick.

Some of the things you could make.

Love, love, loved the museum.