Tacoma, Wash. (January 7, 2008) – The Museum of Glass announces the selection of Melissa G. Post for the position of curator, effective today, January 7, 2008. Post most recently served as assistant director of the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Additional curatorial positions include those at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York.

According to Museum of Glass director Timothy Close, “Melissa Post has a solid background in the medium of glass, as well as the curatorial skills that this position requires. We are very pleased to note that she is as excited about the Museum as we are about having her join our team.”

Susan Warner, director of public programs, offered that “Melissa will fit right in to this energetic young institution. She believes in reaching out to the larger community and in presenting intellectually stimulating exhibitions.” As curator, Post’s principal responsibilities will include researching and organizing exhibitions; contributing to the scholarship of glass as an artistic medium; developing and establishing the Museum’s permanent collection; and overseeing the Visiting Artist Program.

“The synergy of rich tradition and pioneering spirit, characteristic of the Pacific Northwest, has resulted in an ideal environment for the Museum of Glass, which, along with the Pilchuck Glass School, stands at its dynamic epicenter,” comments Post. “It is my fervent desire to join the Museum’s team of ambitious, innovative and dedicated professionals, contributing to the vitality of this world-class institution.”

Throughout her career, Post has curated an array of exhibitions, most recently Pursuing Excellence, the Studio Craft Movement in Western North Carolina. Among those she curated during her tenure at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design are: Constructing Elozua, A Retrospective 1973-2003; Coming of Age, a 65-year history of the museum’s craft collection; Spectrum: The Sculpture of Jon Kuhn; and the Point of View series (I-III), illuminating private collectors and their collecting philosophies. She has also worked closely with Daniel Clayman on his forthcoming exhibition, White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman, opening in December, 2007. Post served as project manager for internationally touring MURANO: Glass from the Olnick Spanu Collection, which was on view at the Museum of Glass in 2004, and OBSERVATIONS: works by Ann Wolff, for which the Mint was the only American venue. Collaborating extensively with museum colleagues, artists, collectors and gallerists, Post reinterpreted, reinstalled and fortified the renowned permanent collections at both the Mint Museum of Craft + Design and the Corning Museum of Glass.

Post holds a Masters of Arts degree in the History of Decorative Arts, Design and Culture from the Bard Graduate Center in New York City. She graduated from the Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both international studies and French. She was the recipient of the Jentel Critic at the Bray and the Orrefors Kosta Boda scholarships. Post publishes, lectures, and juries exhibitions nationally and internationally.

The Museum of Glass provides a dynamic learning environment to appreciate the medium of glass through creative experiences, collections and exhibitions. In addition to the Hot Shop Amphitheater where visitors can watch artists work, the facilities include galleries, outdoor exhibition areas, a theater, studio, grand hall, store and café.

The Museum of Glass is sponsored in part by the City of Tacoma Arts Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission, ArtsFund and Comcast. The Visiting Artist Program at the Museum of Glass is sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott / Tacoma.

Hours and Admission

Open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Third Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Store is also open Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day): also open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Independence Day, September 15, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is free for members, $10 general, $8 seniors, military and students (13+ with ID), $8 groups of 10 or more, $4 children (6-12) years old. Children under 6 are admitted free. Admission is free every third Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Info Line 253-284-4750/ 1-866-4MUSEUM

Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock Street Tacoma, WA 98402

For more information about the Museum of Glass:

Susan Newsom, Communications Manager, 253-284-4732, snewsom@museumofglass.org

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