Tacoma, Wash. (February 12, 2008)—The Museum of Glass invites teachers and educators to visit the Museum on Thursday, February 28, 2008 to learn about the latest educational offerings for students.  The event is scheduled from 3 to 6 p.m. and is free for all area educators.

Teachers will have the opportunity to take a docent-led tour of the Museum’s two new exhibitions, Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass and Dante Marioni: Form, Color Pattern, both of which open in February.  New curriculum based on the Lino Tagliapietra show will be available for review.  This curriculum is designed to be multi-disciplinary and adaptable for all grade levels.  Teachers will also have the opportunity to sign up their classes for spring field trips.

The Museum of Glass offers teachers a wide array of quality educational tools, including curricula available online, a comprehensive tour program with pre- and post-visit work, Science of Art units and a new Mobile Hot Shop. “We offer so many different resources because of the nature of our Museum,” comments director of public programs Susan Warner.  “With daily live glassblowing demonstrations, students can witness for themselves the entire artistic process, from the initial concept, to the science and engineering aspects of glass, and finally examples of the finished works in our galleries.  We have scheduled this open house because we want to make sure our local educational communities are aware of what they can expect from the Museum of Glass.”

Attendees are invited to join glass artist and historian Walter Lieberman and try their hand at  “pulling cane,” a traditional Italian glassmaking technique, using colored clay in place of molten glass.  Flameworking demonstrations and live music are also scheduled, and light refreshments will be served.  The Museum’s newest documentary film, The Time of Lino, will be on view in the theater, and Lino Tagliapietra will be demonstrating his glassblowing techniques in the Hot Shop until 3 p.m. for those who can come early.

Who is Lino Tagliapietra?

Lino! Maestro, mentor, artist—and the world’s greatest glassblower. In 1979, he brought the secrets of Venetian glassblowing in the Pacific Northwest and changed the course of the Studio Glass movement. Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass is the first comprehensive retrospective of Lino’s art and career. The 276 objects in the exhibition range from small, whimsical party favors made for Lino’s family and friends to breathtakingly elegant and evocative sculptural forms. From functional to fantastic, from goblets to Batman, colorful Italian tradition merges with the individual artistic exuberance that defines Lino.  Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect will be on display from February 23 – August 24, 2008.