Hello, 2016!
By Alex Carr, Communications Manager
2015 was an exciting year for Museum of Glass. The Museum premiered the never-before-seen Chihuly Drawings exhibition, hosted the US Open’s Bob Jones Award reception, collaborated with the Shanghai Museum of Glass to create new Kids Design Glass pieces, hosted its first Party on the Piazza community festival, and much more!
With the arrival of 2016, there are already a few upcoming events that I’m excited for visitors to experience.
#BeTheCurator
MOG will open the new, crowd-curated exhibition, #BeTheCurator, on January 16.
Erich Woll (American, born 1972); Mistakes Will Be Made (blue-footed boobies), 2014; Hot-sculpted glass; Collection of Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington, gift of the artist; Photo courtesy of the artist.
Last year, Museum of Glass invited visitors to vote for artwork displayed in Treasures from Glass Collectors that they would like to see return to MOG’s galleries in a larger exhibition of pieces from the Museum’s private collection, curated by the public.
Visitors were able to vote for three pieces at the Museum, and those who couldn’t visit were encouraged to vote through Facebook with a “like” for their favorite pieces. The social media component had votes from as far away as Brazil, Armenia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Kazakhstan, and spawned the hashtag-inspired exhibition title, #BeTheCurator.
#BeTheCurator will feature the most “Liked” pieces in MOG’s collections, along with visitors’ comments and reactions.
I’m excited for the public to see this exhibition because it will continue to include and encourage audience engagement through a variety of components, such as voting boxes where visitors can have their say in which artist featured in the exhibition will receive a Visiting Artist Residency!
For the Love of Lino
Photo by Russell Johnson.
The Maestro returns! Visitors can enjoy two weeks of Visiting Artist Lino Tagliapietra working in the Museum’s Hot Shop from February 10 through 21. Make sure to save these dates!
More details about Tagliapietra’s residency will be available on the Museum’s event calendar soon.
The Fifth Annual Slider Cook-Off
I look forward to this event every year because it provides guests with a fun, delicious way to experience glass art!
Once again, local restaurants will bring their best burgers to battle for the title of People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice while artist John Miller entertains guests with fiery action in the Hot Shop.
Every year, Miller makes a giant glass slider during the event, and every year the slider he makes is different in style (last year, the burger had wings!). So, don’t miss your chance to see what he makes next, sample local food and beer, and dance to swingin’ 1950s hits!
Stay tuned for information about tickets and the list of participating restaurants.
See you in 2016!
Alex Carr is the Communications Manager at Museum of Glass. When she’s not circulating the Hot Shop floor trying to get the perfect Instagram shot for the Museum, you’ll find her baking at home, running at Green Lake, or exploring Washington’s wineries.