Mixed Media and the Blurring of Lines
A notable shift, as the category of traditional “studio glass artists” is becoming “artists using glass.”
“We’re moving into this whole new phase where glass is being integrated as a medium of choice by artists. So we are not going to be known so much as glass artists, but artists who use glass.”
—William Traver, Founder, Traver Gallery
Technology means new innovations
New technology such as 3-D printers and water jet cutters is being integrated into the glass art process, attracting a wave of Millennial artists.
“It feels to me that in the last few years there’s been an infusion of new perspectives, specifically when it comes to technologies and the cross pollination between the glass world and other technologies, which could be from screen printing or image transfer… there’s a lot of innovation.”
—STEFANO CATALANI, Executive Director, Gage Academy of Art
Accessibility and flameworking
There is a true movement going on, and flameworking is at the heart of it. Lower materials overhead, a smaller environmental footprint, and flexible price points are driving a new wave of lampworking.
“Every single student I’ve had come to me, the first thing they say is, 'I want to learn to flamework.' So, that has saturated a new population, down to teenagers, who are interested in glass.”
—KIM HARTY, Artist and Assistant Professor,
College for Creative Studies
Inclusivity Reigns
In a field once dominated by men, women are now emerging as leaders in the glass arts community.
“I remember my first three years of blowing glass. . . I was the only girl in all my classes and now the classes I’m teaching . . . last semester, in one of my classes, 18 of the 20 students were girls.”
–CASSANDRA STRAUBING, Artist, Glass Faculty Head and Studio Coordinator,
San Jose State University
Performance of Making
Glassblowing, by nature, is “theatrical.” Museums, hot shops, galleries and commercial ventures have found that people are fascinated by the performance aspect of the glass art process, and are experimenting with a variety of ways to create that experience for consumers.
“People are starting to understand glass blowing the way they would theater, dance, or music. They are there to experience that moment with you, but they aren’t upset if they don’t get to keep the object at the end.”
—CHARLOTTE POTTER, Artist and Programming Director, Chrysler Museum Glass Studio