Visiting Artist Lineup
November
Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen
November 28-29
Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen’s work is the result of countless hours of observation and dedication to the studio glass movement. After earning her BFA in sculpture from Ohio University, glass quickly became the driving force in Karen’s life. She moved to Washington State in 1987, and soon afterward she began working as an assistant to the legendary glass artist William Morris. Since then Karen has honed her artistic voice and has helped pave the way for young women in the hotshop. Raised in Ohio, the daughter of a naturalist father, Willenbrink-Johnsen is constantly inspired, revitalized, and awed by the power of nature capturing this spirit in her own work. Karen’s unique vision and passion for glass is evident in everything she does. Through teaching sculpting classes worldwide with her husband and collaborator, Jasen Johnsen, they have inspired hundreds of new glass artists through their love and proficiency of glass.
December
Raven Skyriver
December 10-14
Born in 1982, Raven Skyriver started blowing glass in high school at the age of sixteen. Raven’s mentor, Lark Dalton, taught him how to build glass blowing equipment and trained him in the traditional Venetian technique. In 2003 Raven was invited to join the William Morris team. He worked on the team until Morris' retirement in 2007. The experience of working with such a talented group of artists galvanized his decision to follow Glass Sculpture as a profession.
Raven lives near the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Washington, and produces his work in the greater Seattle area. Raven shows his work nationally and has been featured in group shows internationally. His focus in the area of sculpture, and the depiction of marine life is inspired by his island upbringing, and informed by the creatures that inhabit this fragile ecosystem.
January
Goblet Week
January 14-18
Goblet making has long been a tradition across many cultures worldwide. In the Pacific Northwest, artists and makers have been steeped in the Italian approach to glassmaking through the Studio Glass movement, and Venetian-style goblets are a fixture in our local glassmaking scene. These goblets are notable for their thinness and complexity. As our culture becomes increasingly dependent on technology, it also becomes detached from the handmade. Goblet Week began with the mission to highlight the magic of handmade functional glass pieces — specifically, Venetian-style goblets.
Goblet Week 2026 will feature four Visiting Artists who represent a new generation in goblet-making: Paul Cunningham, Kit Paulson, Chris Schuelke, and Ryan Thompson.
Each artist will spend their day in the Hot Shop showcasing their unique approach to making goblets (or “cups,” as they are affectionately called by the artists). On Sunday, the Museum of Glass Hot Shop Team will take center stage and conclude the week making their signature goblet designs. Sunday’s programming will also feature a lecture on Venetian goblets by Hot Shop Emcee Walter Lieberman at 1pm. Each day, audiences will learn about the different techniques and processes used by each artist in their goblet designs. See below for more about the artists.
Additionally, Museum of Glass will host an Artist Reception + Wine Tasting and Goblet Sale the evening of Saturday, January 17. More details and tickets below.
