Celebrating 20 Years of Kids Design Glass

Since 2004, the Kids Design Glass program has provided children ages twelve and under with the opportunity to create drawings and submit them to the Museum’s Hot Shop Team. Throughout the year, the Team selects individual designs to be brought to life as glass sculptures, to the child designer’s exact specifications. The Team creates two sculptures of each design – one for the designer to keep and one for the Museum’s Permanent Collection.

Over the past twenty years, we’ve made a lot of pieces! In celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Kids Design Glass Program, we asked KDG designers from over the years to get back in touch and share their memories of what the program has meant to them. Here’s what they had to say.

Irie with *The Hachling*. Photo courtesy of the Chapman family.

Irie Chapman, designer of The Hachling (2023)

“We had a great time seeing the art take shape, contributing to the design process, and interacting with all the staff involved in the project.

Our experience with Kids Design Glass means the world! A lifelong memory was made, with a physical memory to go along with a once-in-a-lifetime experience and provided Irie (and us) with a wonderful memory to last a lifetime!

This experience made Irie believe in herself more, expanded her possibilities in the art realm, and gave her more confidence in herself and in her art.”

– Michael Chapman (Irie’s parent)

Gabriel Echols, designer of Picky the Narwhal (2016)

“Gabe had a great experience with Kids Design Glass. He doesn’t remember a lot because he was so little. He was really excited that one of the artists on the Hot Shop Team was also named Gabe. He was only four, and he’d never met another Gabe before.

KDG was such an amazing opportunity. It inspired Gabe to be more creative. We are a military family and move often. We always supervise the packing of Picky.”

– Emily Echols (Gabriel’s parent)

Gabriel with *Picky the Narwhal*. Photo courtesy of the Echols family.

Ashton blowing glass. Photo courtesy of Ashton Genzel.

Ashton Genzel, designer of Log sheep (with squirrel friend) (2016)

“I had been visiting the Museum for quite some time and developed quite an intense interest in the art form. Every so often, I would submit a drawing to the Kids Design Glass program, but never really expected my designs to be selected. When I received the news, though, I was ecstatic. We were invited to watch the process, and it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I think that experience solidified my interest in the world of glassblowing, and Logsheep (with squirrel friend) is still one of my most prized possessions.

I think I'd say my experience with KDG signifies a huge part of my identity. For my parents, I think they're happy that there's something in my life that means so much to me. I really can't thank tMuseum of Glass enough for inspiring me so much.

I've actually been blowing glass myself for the past 2 1/2ish years! After moving to Centralia a few years back, I quickly started up an apprenticeship with the artist Kevin Regan. I love blowing glass and plan to continue doing so for as long as possible.”

– Ashton

Henry Johnson, designer of Bridge of Glass Car (2015)

“My family has been MOG members from the start, so I was entering drawings at a very young age. I would do one almost every time I came in with my parents, which was frequently. When I won, I was very excited, and they even made a video about it. One time I was at SeaTac Airport and saw my piece displayed, and I think it’s currently at the Children’s Museum.

My younger siblings (Myles and Margo) were also turning in drawings, and both were eventually picked as well. All of our pieces are on display in our family’s home.

After my experience with Kids Design Glass, I started learning to blow glass at Hilltop Artists and ended up working on their production team throughout high school.”

– Henry

Aida with *Monster President*. Photo courtesy of the Lowin-Thomas family.

Aida Lowin-Thomas, designer of Monster President (2016)

“I loved being able to work with the Hot Shop Team. It was so special how they included me in the process. We have Monster President displayed in our living room and, whenever I look at it, it reminds me of my Kids Design Glass experience. It was a unique experience to get to see first-hand the process of glassmaking.”

– Aida

Maya Matsumoto, designer of Bird of Free Colors (2006)

“I remember my first time ever visiting the Museum of Glass, my family and I decided to stop at the Kids Design Glass drawing room right before we left so that my sister and I could spend some time drawing. We didn't know what the program was exactly, but by the time we returned home, there was already a voicemail on the answering machine asking us to come back the next day to see my design made. It was such a cool experience knowing I had designed something that was going to be made into a real glass sculpture just like we'd seen in the museum. What is more, there were visiting artists from Iittala choosing and making the designs that month, which meant my bird design was being made by international artists!

Kids Design Glass was an amazing experience for me and my family. My grandparents were visiting from the East Coast at the time of our initial visit and the day we went to watch my bird get made, and it was so fun to see my whole family just stop and admire art together. Everyone in my family has always had an artistic streak, but this moment opened my world to a completely different kind of art, and we were all amazed by what could be done with glass and how the glass artists interpreted the designs. Two of the family members who were on that trip, my mother and my grandmother, have now passed away, and so every time I see my Bird of Free Colors in my family's living room, I remember how fun that was and how excited we all were to see my imagination come to life.

I didn't realize that someone could be a glass artist until we visited the Museum of Glass. I don't think I realized that glass was an art, really. But in the 18 years since, I’ve done multiple projects and presentations on glassblowing. I even planned to take a glassblowing class in college, but, unfortunately, COVID-19 prevented that. Kids Design Glass inspired me to look at the intersections of art and science and even led me to graduating from college with a biology degree but supplemented with a minor in STEAM (STEM + Art) so I can continue using art to learn more about science and vice versa. I'm hoping that, soon, I can find the career that allows me to do that and share my interest with other young scientists and artists – or, as I love to call myself, sciartists!”

– Maya

Emily with *The rainbow marshmellow*. Photo courtesy of the Nie family.

Emily Nie, designer of The rainbow marshmellow (2017)

“I was in second grade when my mother got the call from the Museum that my artwork was chosen to be sculpted for the Kids Design Glass program. My idea was for a marshmallow that, when it melts over a fire, the liquid that comes out is tears, but my marshmallow was different from other marshmallows because it would cry rainbows. I thought it would be interesting because rainbows are mostly for happiness, magic, and an expression of joy, but I thought what if rainbows could be incorporated into sorrow, too? Which, I don’t know why it’s so sad. I want to be a marshmallow. It doesn’t want to be a marshmallow.

I was super young back then, and definitely super excited to have my design be noticed and chosen. We were invited to the Museum to watch the process, but I remember that the staff was super welcoming, and I had such a fun experience. It was the first time that I had direct contact with glassblowing, and what was really fun was knowing that a piece that I’d come up with as part of my self-expression was interesting enough that the Hot Shop Team would bring it into the real world in 3D.

Museum of Glass was so prominent in my childhood. My family took me to MOG countless times, and they were super supportive of the whole Kids Design Glass process. We were very happy with what we got to take home. Overall, KDG has meant a lot to my family.

The Museum inspires creativity in young people by showing them support and providing them with an educational, bright, colorful environment that allows them to flourish and learn. Interacting with KDG, seeing all the hustle and bustle around me, and getting to experience sharing my self-expression with everybody else really inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and realize how cool art is. Coming to the Museum and seeing the magic happen made me feel like I really wanted to be a part of this world.”

– Emily

Adelle Patton, designer of Square Shark (2017)

“I went to Museum of Glass on a class field trip. I brought home the entry form, completed it at home, showed it to my parents (who were not the most encouraging at the time!), and sent it off. When my mom told me about the email regarding my drawing being selected, I was very excited and surprised!

Going to the Museum and seeing the Hot Shop Team create my drawing into a beautiful piece of art was so exciting. I was in awe over the entire experience. We even were able to live stream it to family members – so cool!

When we came to pick up the piece, we were able to enjoy the Museum as a family. We loved looking at the artwork. As I was admiring my piece on display, a Museum patron asked if I was the artist and requested a picture with me and my shark! I felt like such a celebrity!

The whole experience was so wonderful, the employees at the Museum were SO friendly and helpful, the glassblowers who created my shark were very engaging and informative. I was shocked at the exact replication from my drawing on a piece of paper to a 3D piece of art!

My Square Shark is in the living room on display. It is something that everyone sees. Every time someone new comes over, they always comment on it, and I get to share my story! My Square Shark is one of few things I know I will keep forever. No matter where I go, it will come. My Square Shark is timeless. It will always spark conversation and, I hope, inspire others.

While I do not consider myself an artist, this experience has shown me that if there is something I want to participate in, I should never let self-doubt get in the way. I did try ceramics in high school – it was challenging. However, I am learning that the arts include more than drawing or sculpting. I have taken video production for the past 2 years (and will continue it in my senior year of high school). Shooting and editing videos is a form of art that I am extremely passionate about. In fact, I went to the National Convention for Journalism and plan to pursue a college degree in broadcast journalism.”

– Adelle

Madeline with the Museum of Glass Hot Shop Team and original drawing of *Girls Night!!!*. Photo courtesy of Madeline Teddy.

Madeline Teddy, designer of Girls Night!!! (2011)

“My journey with Kids Design Glass was nothing short of extraordinary. From the initial spark of inspiration as I sat with my mom and brother, sketching ideas for my piece, to the exhilarating moment when I entrusted my drawing to someone else's hands, every step of the process was infused with joy and excitement. The thrill of imagining my artwork gracing the walls of a museum fueled my enthusiasm. Still, nothing could prepare me for the joy when Girls Night!!! was chosen from among the submissions. It was a moment of disbelief and overwhelming pride, knowing that my vision had been selected to be brought to life in glass. The day of the glassblowing was a time of collaboration and creativity, with members of the Hot Shop Team tirelessly ensuring that my artistic vision was honored at every step. I was filled with pride and accomplishment as I watched Girls Night!!! take shape.

Girls Night!!!" holds a place of pride in our home, serving as a stunning centerpiece and a cherished conversation starter for guests. Whenever visitors ask about the random dolphin decor, my family eagerly shares the story behind its creation, beaming with pride at having an artist among them whose work graces the halls of a museum. KDG allowed my family and I to be a part of something that inspired all of us to appreciate glass blowing. Since then, we've ventured into the realm of glassblowing ourselves on several occasions!

My journey with KDG ignited a profound appreciation for artistic expression. It fostered an enduring passion for museums, shaping my academic and professional pursuits. Seeing my idea translated into glass sculpture instilled a profound sense of the power of creativity. It fanned the flame of my love of museums. This fascination led me to pursue a master's degree in museum studies. With my master's, I hope to create exhibits where people feel the same joy, and that a passion ignites because of an impactful experience like Kids Design Glass.”

– Madeline

Mara Thomas, designer of Flowereyed (2018)

“Kids Design Glass was a unique and fun experience, especially for little old me. To see my imagination get recognized and come to life is something I will remember forever.

KDG helped encourage and spark that imagination and creativity I had as a young kid that I still grow off of now as a teenager. It meant a lot to me and my family to be able to have such an experience together, and for young 9-year-old me to be able to take pride in my creativity through glass art.

I remember drawing Flowereyed and writing that little story for fun, not expecting to get chosen for the Kids Design Glass experience, but just merely out of pure creativity. The KDG experience helped me as kid to have an outlet for that creativity and, by being chosen to have my art created into glass, inspired me into pursuing my interests in the arts throughout my life.”

– Mara

Abby with *Alien Dude*. Photo courtesy of Abby Wall.

Abby Wall, designer of Alien Dude (2012)

“My mom would take my sister and I to MOG occasionally as a fun outing between the three of us during the summer months. We loved seeing the bright colors, unique shapes, and many creative ideas that people were able to make into a reality. The Kids Design Glass Program was a fun way to involve ourselves in the act of creation. Going in to draw our creations, we never anticipated that my sister or I would ever actually win anything or be picked, so the ability to actually see a doodle of mine come to life was miraculous. Alien Dude, my glass piece, is a reminder to me to take chances and engage with creation, even if unsure. There are so many possibilities for joy in art, and sometimes you have to take a leap of faith to get there.

To my family, Alien Dude is a fun and quirky experience, whose creation was fascinating to watch. Alien Dude sits in our living room, which acts as a lovely conversation starter and a reminder to me that little things can make big impacts on the lives around us.

Alien Dude inspires me to take risks and to continue creating new things. I would doodle in the margins of my homework sheets and notes, imagining an escape to space and exploring the stars instead of sitting in stuffy classrooms. I may not be in space with the stars, but imagination and creativity guide me daily through college classes and personal interactions. I try to go to art museums and gardens often to continue to be creative and explore the ideas of others around me.”

– Abby

Mason Winchell, designer of Lioncrab (2011)

“In early 2011, my family and I visited the Museum of Glass for the first time. My three brothers, my sister, and I had a blast running around, enamored with the art and fascinated with its creation. After exploring the whole museum, we made our way into the Education Studio and each made a submission for the Kids Design Glass Program. I imagine we all assumed it was like the lottery – it was fun to enter but the winner was always someone else. A few weeks later, we received a call at home informing us that I had been selected for my art to be turned into a piece. My whole family came to enjoy watching the piece come to life and interacting with the Hot Shop Team.

A few years after the Kids Design Glass experience, I had a serious medical event. It was a challenging time for me and my family. However, at one point while waiting in the ER at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, I saw my Kids Design Glass piece on display. This brief moment offered a necessary respite from the chaos of everything happening. Now, whenever I see my version of the glass, I’m both reminded of the joy in its creation and feel some relief that that time is over.

I think the arts are an incredibly important part of making a whole person. At University of Washington, in addition to pursuing a scientific passion, I studied language and history as part of an art degree. Now, I use creativity in my career every day, challenging the norm and coming up with new solutions to complex problems. My partner and I are proponents of local art, including Hilltop Artists, the Tacoma Art Museum, and local art events.”

– Mason

In celebration of KDG’s 20th anniversary, the exhibition Earthlings and Extraterrestrials: 20 Years of Kids Design Glass is on view in the Museum of Glass Grand Hall now through January 2025.

We can’t wait to see what creatures join the Kids Design Glass collection in the next 20 years!

Community, Exhibitions, Kids Design GlassBryn CavinJuly 29, 2024