Museum of Glass and the Tacoma Tourism and Arts Community Prepare to Host the 2022 Glass Art Society Conference

After a two-year delay, Museum of Glass (MOG), Travel Tacoma, and several other community arts and culture organizations will welcome the Glass Art Society (GAS) for their annual international conference May 18-21. Conference events will span downtown Tacoma and include a special new community event, the first annual TAG Festival: Together… in Art and Glass which will take place on May 22.

Each year GAS brings together the international community of glass artists, collectors, and
enthusiasts for a multi-day conference featuring glass from every discipline. Museum of Glass
and Travel Tacoma partnered to bring this year’s conference to Tacoma. Originally scheduled
for 2020 and delayed due to COVID-19, the 2022 event holds much significance.

“It was already noteworthy for Tacoma to host the GAS Conference, but for it to be the first inperson gathering of the community in two years, that makes it even more special,” said Debbie
Lenk, Executive Director, Museum of Glass. “Glass is part of the soul of this city. Hosting the
conference as Museum of Glass celebrates 20 years and the Glass Art Society celebrates its
50th marks a great moment for the Pacific Northwest glass community.”

This year marks the first time Tacoma, an international center for glass, will host the GAS
conference. It provides a unique opportunity for the city to be formally recognized for its
influence and place in the glass community. The event will also bring tourism and community
activities to downtown. Conference events will take place at MOG, Tacoma Art Museum, Area
253 Glassblowing, Hilltop Artists, LeMay: America’s Car Museum, and the Greater Tacoma
Convention Center.

“Tacoma celebrates glass artists and all artists as they come together in the spirit of community
and expression,” said Dean Burke, President and CEO, Travel Tacoma. “This partnership and
collaboration is a visionary one, ready to welcome the biggest names in the industry to our city.”
The TAG arts festival, co-led by Travel Tacoma, MOG, and TAM, for which details will be
announced shortly, will span downtown and feature local artists, food venders, performers, and
more. GAS tickets are available both for the entire duration of the conference and by the day.
The full event schedule can be found here.