Lino Tagliapietra: Maestro

Fall 2026 - Ongoing

Exhibition Overview

Lino Tagliapietra: Maestro pays homage to the legendary Italian artist who made the Puget Sound area his home in the United States for 45 years. Tagliapietra is widely regarded as the greatest glassmaker of his time.

Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934) changed the trajectory of glass in his adopted country by inspiring a movement through his use of exemplary technique and boundless creativity. Studio and contemporary glass were shaped by his genius and mentorship of artists across generations. The Hot Shop at Museum of Glass was the studio where he created much of his work while engaging with large, passionate audiences. He was everyone’s Maestro. Upon his retirement, Tagliapietra gifted 175 pieces from his American archive to Museum of Glass. This landmark exhibition is curated from this magnificent collection.

Lino Tagliapietra: Maestro presents Tagliapietra at the height of his career. Six dynamic vignettes showcase multiple overlapping series, each comprising related, yet distinct pieces produced between 1998 and 2023. Visitors will encounter over 50 works that demonstrate the sculptor’s brilliant inventiveness, including the dynamic use of line and gesture, surface textures, complex lace-like patterns, and intense color. Three installations are also included: Adventurine Secret Garden, Emerald City, and Avventura Masai. Lighting in the gallery captures the translucent and reflective nature of the water in Tagliapietra’s hometown, Murano, Italy, a quality shared by the Pacific Northwest. Large photo murals document Tagliapietra’s dramatic journey at Museum of Glass. Periodically, additional archived pieces from the collection will rotate into the exhibition. 

Tagliapietra loved working in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop and has enjoyed 19 Visiting Artist residencies since 2007. Remarkable footage from these residencies is accessible to visitors in the exhibition, which demonstrates the Maestro’s extraordinary technique and generosity in sharing his knowledge with multiple generations. This legacy continues through the amazing team who worked with him for many years, including Jen Elek (American, born 1972), John Kiley (American, born 1973), Nancy Callan (American, born 1964), Erich Woll (American, born 1970), and Darin Denison (American, born 1971). His close friend and protégé, Dante Marioni (American, born 1964), continues to work with Tagliapietra and is also a keeper of his legacy.  

On view in the Museum’s Grand Hall, visitors will look up to find a magnificent, suspended installation of Tagliapietra’s monumental work, which combines the Endeavor (Boats) and Alas (Birds) series. The Endeavor series recalls the enchanting canals of Venice, where streamlined gondolas gently float on the water, while Alas represents the area’s abundant birdlife.   

Tagliapietra’s imprint on contemporary glass in the United States and beyond is recognized and defined as an enduring legacy through his work, mentorship, and intimate relationship with the Pacific Northwest.

Lino Tagliapietra: Maestro will be the first exhibition in the permanent Lino Tagliapietra Legacy Gallery, the cornerstone of the 2026 Museum of Glass capital renovation project.

Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Dinosaur, 2003. Glass; 51 1/4 × 20 × 11 1/4 inches. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.

Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Batman, 1998. Blown glass with cane, turned axis; inciso cutting; 10 1/2 × 14 3/4 × 4 inches. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.

 

Featured Images

Image Credits

  1. Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Poesia, 2017. Blown glass; 18 1/2 x 14 x 6 inches. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.

  2. Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Avventura Masai, 2017. Glass; 51 1/2 × 17 3/4 × 10 1/2 inches. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.

  3. Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Riverstone, 2000. Blown glass with irregular zanfirico canes, turned axis; cut 12 3/4 × 13 1/2 × 5 1/4 inches. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.

  4. Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Chiocciola, 2008. Blown glass with zanfirico segments; 19 x 16 x 6 inches. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.

  5. Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Nassau, 2020. Glass; 13 1/2 × 11 × 6 inches. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.

  6. Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, born 1934). Bora, 2020. Glass. Courtesy of Lino Tagliapietra, Inc. Photo by Russell Johnson.