Tacoma, Wash. (September 17, 2009)— For the sixth consecutive year, the Museum of Glass and Finland’s iittala, Inc. are teaming up for a weekend dedicated to birds and bird enthusiasts.  This three-day event will feature the debut of the newest limited-edition Birds by Toikka design, along with a lineup of bird-related activities throughout the weekend.

Internationally recognized artist Oiva Toikka has designed hundreds of glass bird species for Iittala, a Finnish design company.  Each year, Toikka designs a new bird for the Museum of Glass that is available for purchase in the Museum Store.  The 2009 bird, the Swift, is made from hand-blown and sculpted metallic blue and white glass.

Arto Lahtinen, a master glassblower with iittala, will once again travel from Nuutajarvi, Finland to work in the Hot Shop, and an exhibition of all previous Museum of Glass Birds by Toikka designs will be displayed in the Grand Hall.  Zookeepers from Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium will bring live birds to the Museum on Friday and Saturday afternoons, and a special bird-related Family Day is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.  On Sunday afternoon, a panel of experts will discuss the differences between studio and factory glass making.

On Saturday evening, the Museum of Glass Store will host a free reception.  Lahtinen will kick off the evening creating birds in the Hot Shop and then will be on hand in the Store to sign birds purchased during the event.  Light refreshments and a no-host bar will also be available.

Previous Birds by Toikka species created for the Museum of Glass  include American Goldfinch (2004), Pacific Water Fowl (2005), Spotted Towhee (2006), Red-winged Blackbird (2008) and Ruffed Grouse (2009).

6TH ANNUAL BIRD LOVERS WEEKEND
October 9 – 11, 2009
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12 – 5 p.m. Sunday
Free reception Saturday, 6 – 8:30 p.m.

iittala Birds Hatch
Swift, designed by Oiva Toikka and created as a limited edition, will be offered for the first time, exclusively through the Museum Store.

Friday, October 9
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2009 limited edition Swift available for purchase in the Museum Store
Birds by Toikka bird demonstrations in the Hot Shop with Arto Lahtinen and the MOG Hot Shop team
215 Years iittala documentary in the Museum Theater (film rotates throughout the day).

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hands-on Art Activity: Create original wire bird designs with Larry Calkins

1 – 2 p.m.
Live bird visit from Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

Saturday, October 10
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2009 limited edition Swift available for purchase in the Museum Store
Birds by Toikka bird demonstrations in the Hot Shop with Arto Lahtinen and the MOG Hot Shop team
215 Years iittala documentary in the Museum Theater (film rotates throughout the day)

12 – 4 p.m.
Hands-on Art Activity: Create original wire bird designs with Larry Calkins

1 – 2 p.m.
Live bird visit from Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

1 – 4 p.m.
Family Day:  Join artist Jennifer Adams for special bird-making activities.

6 – 8:30 p.m.
Free reception in the Museum Store, featuring Hot Shop demonstration and a bird signing session with Arto Lahtinen, light refreshments and a no-host bar.

Sunday, October 11
12 – 5 p.m.
2009 limited edition Swift available for purchase in the Museum Store
Birds by Toikka bird demonstrations in the Hot Shop with Arto Lahtinen and the MOG Hot Shop team
215 Years iittala documentary in the Museum Theater (film rotates throughout the day)

1 – 4 p.m.
Hands-on Art Activity: Create original wire bird designs with Larry Calkins

2 – 3 p.m.
Panel discussion:  Factory vs. Studio Glass