Tacoma, Wash. (January 2, 2007)— The Museum of Glass is pleased to announce the return of the History of Glass, a comprehensive lecture and demonstration series chronicling the evolution of glassmaking from ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages through today’s Studio Glass movement. The ten-part series begins January 14 and will continue into June. Each session starts in the Museum Theater with a one-hour lecture and slide presentation. Following the lectures, the presentations will move into the Hot Shop Amphitheater where the Museum’s Hot Shop team will demonstrate the topic’s techniques and styles while the lecturer continues to narrate.

The History of Glass premiered in 2005 with eight lectures arranged and presented by renowned artist and teacher Walter Lieberman. In 2006, Lieberman expanded the series to ten lectures coupled with the glassmaking demonstrations. For 2007, the Museum will welcome a guest lecturer for the first time. On January 21, Dr. David Whitehouse from the Corning Museum of Glass will present The Glass of Ancient Rome session. Dr. Whitehouse is the Executive Director and Curator of Ancient and Islamic Glass at Corning.

All lectures are scheduled for Sundays at 2 p.m. in the Museum Theater. The corresponding Hot Shop demonstrations will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Cost is included with Museum admission, which is free for Museum of Glass members.

About the presenters:
Walter Lieberman received his BFA from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA. A veteran of the Studio Glass movement, Lieberman focuses on painting on glass with enamels. Lieberman also collaborates with artist Dick Weiss as WD-40+. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in cities such as Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Prague. Lieberman has taught at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC; Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA; and Penland School, Penland, NC. His work is in many collections worldwide and his painted vessel, La Reina de las Campesinas, is included in Contrasts: A Glass Primer currently on display at the Museum of Glass.

Dr. David Whitehouse joined The Corning Museum of Glass in 1984 as chief curator and became executive director in 1999. He is responsible for overseeing the Museum’s glass collection, the Rakow Research Library, publications, education programs, and scientific research. Since coming to Corning, Dr. Whitehouse has curated a number of exhibitions, including Beyond Venice: Glass in Venetian Style in 2004, Glass of the Sultans in 2001 and Glass of the Caesars in 1987.

Dr. Whitehouse earned his Ph.D. in Archaeology at Cambridge University in England. He served as Director of the British Institute of Afghan Studies and The British School at Rome and has directed numerous archaeological excavations in the United Kingdom, Italy and the Middle East. Dr. Whitehouse is a member of the board of the International Association for the History of Glass, having served as president from 1991 to 1995.

Schedule:

January 14
Ancient Glass
Glassmaking has been a vibrant art form for the last 4,300 years. This session explores its many and varied forms prior to the advent of glassblowing in about 50 B.C.

January 21
The Glass of Ancient Rome
Presented by Dr. David Whitehouse, Executive Director and Curator of Ancient (Pre-Roman, Roman, Early Medieval) and Islamic Glass for the Corning Museum of Glass
With its conquests, trade relations, road building and economic growth, the Roman Empire fostered the spread of glassmaking technology across Western Europe and the Mediterranean.

February 18
Venetian Glass
Venice was a dominant military, commercial and political power during the Renaissance. It also was the center for glassmaking. During this period, Venetian glassblowing reached the height of technical refinement and purity of form.

March 18
German and Bohemian Glass
In the 1600s, the center of innovation and style shifted from Venice to Northern Europe. Cut, engraved and painted glass from that region became the pinnacle of artistic achievement.

April 1
English and American Glass
English and American glass came to the forefront in the 19th century. It was characterized by ornate historical styles and technical innovation. Machine made glass also emerged during this time period.

April 15
Stained Glass
This session traces the history of stained glass from the great medieval churches of Europe to contemporary stained glass.

April 22
Art Nouveau Glass
Glassmakers such as Tiffany, Emile Gallé and Löetz played a central role in this historical art movement, drawing inspiration from nature and a fascination with Japanese art. This session will investigate some of the dominant themes and trends of the time.

May 13
Vienna Secession: Early 20th Century European Glass
This session looks at the beautiful, but often neglected, glass that was created in Central Europe during the transition from Art Nouveau to Art Deco periods.

May 20
Art Deco Glass
Glassmakers embraced the aesthetic of the Machine Age. This session covers the beginnings of modern design at famous glass companies such as Steuben, Venini and Orrefors who produced a wealth of classic designs.

June 3
Studio Glass Movement
Dating from the 1960s to today, the Studio Glass movement emphasizes the shift from factory made glass to the individual glass artist. It is a period of great innovation.