Illuminate

Glass Art for Early Learners

Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend (American, born 1948). *Pro Rata Lyricism,* 1987-1988. Handblown roundels, etched glass, lead fabrication with overlays, metals, ash frame; 92 × 96 in. Collection of Museum of Glass, gift of David Huchthausen. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Exhibition Overview

Do you think your kids are too young for glass? Does picturing your toddler at a glass museum remind you of a bull in a china shop? Well, Museum of Glass is not just for grown-ups! Illuminate is an exhibition for early learners and their grown-ups which explores what makes glass a unique art material – the ability to capture and manipulate light.

Art, science, and play collide as visitors learn about color, light, reflection, and shadow. The exhibition will unfold through world-class artworks created by Nikola Dimitrijevic, John Kiley, Richard Royal, Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend, Veruska Vagen, and more. Each piece of art will be activated by opportunities for early learners and their families to create, to move, to play, and to experience what makes glass extraordinary in the world of art. Create your own design with a larger-than-life LiteBrite™, make art from your own shadow, and discover what makes glass glow-in-the-dark!

Artists featured:
Dan Bancila
Heike Brachlow
Frederick Carder for Steuben Glass Works
Dale Chihuly
Nikola Dimitrijevic
Etsuko Ichikawa
John Kiley
Dominick Labino
Flora C. Mace
Richard Royal
Lisabeth Sterling
Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend
Meredith Wenzel
Veruska Vagen
František Vizner

Exhibition Images

Image Credits

Veruska Vagen (American, born 1954). After painting by Boris Riab (French/Russian, 1898-1975). Boston Terrier. Dot de verre; 14 1/2 x 10 in.. Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Russell Johnson.
Veruska Vagen (American, born 1954). After painting by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins (English, 1807-1894). Mountain Zebra. Dot de verre; 17 1/2 x 11 3/4 in. Courtesy of the artist. Photo by Russell Johnson.
John Kiley (American, born 1973). Shadowmaker, 2014 and 2015. Blown glass; dimensions variable. Courtesy of the artist.
Frederick Carder (English, 1863 – 1963) for Steuben Glass Works (American, founded 1903 - closed 2008) Vase, circa 1918-1922. Mold-blown jade glass with alabaster handles; 10 1/4 x 7 3/4 in. (26 x 19.7 cm). Collection of David Huchthausen. Photo by Lloyd Shugart.
Flora C. Mace (American, born 1949). Untitled boar vase, circa 1974. Blown glass; 7 1/4 x 6 1/2 in. (18.4 x 16.5 cm). Collection of Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington, gift of Terese Jennings in the memory of Stella, Rick, and Nancy Jennings (2016.27.3). Photo by Duncan Price.
Marvin Lipofsky (American, 1938 – 2016). Tacoma Series 2007-9 #1 (Berkeley to Tacoma I-5), 2007-2009. Semi-mold-blown glass; cut, ground by hand, sandblasted, and acid-polished; 14 1/2 x 20 x 16 in. (36.8 x 50.8 x 40.6 cm). Collection of Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington, gift of the artist (VA.2009.10). Photo by M. Lee Fatherree.
Dominick Labino (American, 1910 – 1987). Untitled (sculpture), 1982. Hot-worked glass, air traps, and internal veilings; 5 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (14.6 x 8.9 x 4.4 cm). Collection of Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington, gift of Elizabeth H. and Heinz K. Wolf (2008.10.13). Photo by Duncan Price.
Dan Bancila (Romanian, born 1943). Untitled, 1979. Blown glass; 7 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 2 1/8 in. (19.1 × 19.1 × 5.4 cm). Collection of Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington, gift of Elizabeth H. Wolf (2014.10.2). Photo by Duncan Price.