FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2008 Media Contact: Susan Newsom, Communications Manager 253.284.4732 snewsom@museumofglass.org Museum of Glass July Exhibitions, Programs and Events All events are included with admission to the Museum unless otherwise noted. Calendar listings are subject to change. For updated information, please visit our Web site at www.museumofglass.org or call the information line at 253.284.4750 or 1.866.4MUSEUM. SUMMER HOURS: MEMORIAL DAY - LABOR DAY (May 26 - September 2) Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Third Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Open Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day Ongoing Exhibitions Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass Organized by the Museum of Glass Through August 24, 2008 Presenting sponsors: Rebecca and Jack Benaroya Additional sponsors: The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Russell Investment Group, Windgate Charitable Foundation, Heritage Bank, The Boeing Company, Click! Network, The Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect is the first exhibition to look at the art and 40-year career of Lino Tagliapietra. Widely revered as the maestro of glassblowing, Tagliapietra is an inspiring teacher and the elder statesman between the glass centers of Venice, Italy and the Pacific Northwest. In 1979 at the age of 45, he first came to Seattle in response to an invitation to teach at the young Pilchuck Glass School where he unhesitatingly shared his knowledge, universally elevating the art and craft of glassmaking and changing the course of contemporary glass. The exhibition comprises 169 objects acquired from the artist's own collection and collections around the world, including pivotal and renowned series of artistic work, designs made for industry, and private objects that have never been exhibited. Dante Marioni: Form, Color, Pattern Organized by Muskegon Museum of Art Extended through March 8, 2009 Dante Marioni: Form, Color, Pattern is a mid-career survey comprising more than twenty exceptional glass works crafted over the past two decades by esteemed artist, Dante Marioni. This exhibition illustrates Marioni's elegant style, rooted in the centuries-long artistic conversation surrounding classical design, proportion and aesthetics, as well as the teachings of contemporary mentors such as Lino Tagliapietra, Benjamin Moore and Richard Marquis. These works demonstrate Marioni's ability to transform ancient Venetian techniques and classical forms into impressively scaled, vibrant, modern sculptural expressions, that are distinctly his own. Living Legacies: Homage to a Maestro Organized by the Museum of Glass Through September 7, 2008 Living Legacies: Homage to a Maestro was organized to complement Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass. Included is a selection of sculptural work in glass by fifteen distinguished contemporary artists who have an historic and enduring association with glass master Lino Tagliapietra. Artists represented include Nancy Callan, Dale Chihuly, Paul Cunningham, Dan Dailey, Jen Elek, Flora C. Mace and Joey Kirkpatrick, Dante Marioni, Richard Marquis, Benjamin P. Moore, James Mongrain, Janusz Pozniak, Richard Royal, Preston Singletary, and David Walters. Living Legacies will be displayed throughout the Museum exhibition spaces, including Art Alley, the Hot Shop and the Grand Hall. Contrasts: A Glass Primer Organized by the Museum of Glass Through October 12, 2009 Sponsored by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation, The Seattle Times and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer A captivating introduction to the medium of glass, Contrasts includes international, historically important and visually stunning works of art that are grouped to illustrate opposing ideas, techniques and styles. The exhibition provides a visual feast of more than 50 objects. Contributing artists include René Lalique, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Frank Lloyd Wright, Stanislav Libenský, Jaroslava Brychtová, Harvey Littleton, Dale Chihuly, Richard Marquis, Ginny Ruffner, Dante Marioni, Sonja Blomdahl, Flora Mace, Joey Kirkpatrick, Susan Plum, and Robbie Miller, among others. Joseph Gregory Rossano (American, born 1962) Mirrored Murrelets, 2008 Mirrored hot-sculpted glass, steel, mold-formed fiberglass June 7, 2008 - December, 2009 Mezzanine Plaza Reflecting Pool Joseph Rossano's Mirrored Murrelets is a contemplation of the natural world and the animals that live in ecosystems impacted by humans. The installation comprises two hundred mirrored glass birds, created in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop in January, 2008, that will skim the surface of the Museum's mid-level reflecting pool. The mirrored surfaces of the birds will reflect the viewer's image, symbolically suggesting the impact of humans on the natural world. As visitors experience the installation, Rossano hopes they will "reflect on the plight of the bird as well as the beauty of its existence." Events Tall Ships Festival Community Workshop: Beware of Pirates and Sea Sirens Friday, July 4 1 - 4 p.m. Enjoy the Tall Ships Festival and then step into the Museum of Glass for more nautical fun. Join artist Diane Kurzyna for a pirate- and mermaid-themed community workshop. Included with Museum of Glass admission. Annual Museum Store Summer Tent Sale July 5 - 6, 2008 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday; 12 - 4 p.m. Sunday Shop at the Museum Store's annual sale on the plaza. The sale will feature an assortment of sea-related glass items to commemorate your Tall Ships experience, as well as select Hot Shop glass and special discounts on closeout merchandise. Shop early for the best selection! Public Programs Family Day: Jammin' Journals Saturday, July 12 1 - 4 p.m. Create a pocket memory book for the summer with artist Jennifer Adams and record Fab5's inspiring hip hop performance as your first entry. Third Thursday ArtWalk July 17 Free admission 5 - 8 p.m. sponsored by The Boeing Company and Columbia Bank Lino's Book Club Saturday, July 26 10 - 11:30 a.m. Book selection: Through a Glass, Darkly by Dona Leon This summer, Museum of Glass members are invited to join Lino's Book Club, inspired by the exhibition, Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass. Members will meet in the Museum Theater for a lively discussion led by Dr. David Francis, diverse discipline instructor at Pratt Fine Arts Center, or participate via a new blog. Selected books are all set in Venice or Murano, the hometown of Lino Tagliapietra. For Museum of Glass membership information, contact Leigh Ann Gilmer, 253.284.2125 or lagilmer@museumofglass.org <mailto:lagilmer@museumofglass.org> . Hot Shop Feel the heat as you watch art come alive! Every day, artists demonstrate the intriguing process of creating works of art from molten glass on the amphitheater stage, giving visitors a birds-eye view of their activities. Expert commentary and a state-of-the-art audiovisual system enhance the experience by providing insight into the glassblowing process as well as the science, culture and historical aspects of glass. 2008 Visiting Artist Summer Series Sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott / Tacoma Presented in partnership with Pilchuck Glass School June 25 - September 7 The Visiting Artist Summer Series offers Museum visitors a unique opportunity to view the diverse creative processes of glass masters who do not regularly work in venues open for public observation. Each summer, the Museum partners with Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA, to bring guest artists to the Museum for a five-day Visiting Artist residency in the Hot Shop Amphitheater. Of the twelve artists scheduled, nine will work as instructors and resident artists at Pilchuck this summer. DATES ARTIST HOMETOWN July 2 - 6 Einar and Jamex de la Torre Ensenada Baja, Mexico July 9 - 13 Jiri Harcuba Prague, Czech Republic July 16 - 20 Chad Holliday American, living in Czech Republic July 23 - 27 Susanne Jøker Johnsen Copenhagen, Denmark July 30 - August 3 Susan Plum San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Hot Shop Featured Artists Featured artists are invited to the Hot Shop to push the limits of their work. Offering a diverse mixture of culture, style, focus and expertise, these artists create a sense of excitement and wonder as they experiment and explore new directions in their art that may not be possible in their own studios. A different artist is featured every Monday and Tuesday during the summer. June 30 - July 1 D.H. McNabb July 7 - 8 Jen Elek July 14 - 15 Dave Walters July 21 - 22 Etsuko Ichikawa July 28 - 29 Kelly O'Dell Hot Lunch Fridays, 12 - 1 p.m. Celebrate Friday at the Museum of Glass! Enjoy a box lunch from Gallucci's Glass Café while watching a featured or visiting artist at work in the Hot Shop. Cost: $10 per person plus Museum admission. Please call 253.572.9593 or email gabi@galluccis.com to order your lunch by 3 p.m. Thursday prior to arrival. For more information, visit www.museumofglass.org <http://www.museumofglass.org/> . Lectures Lectures are regularly offered at the Museum in conjunction with exhibitions and the Visiting Artist program. Unless noted otherwise, all lectures take place in the Museum of Glass Theater and are included with Museum admission. Visiting Artist Lecture Series Sponsored by PONCHO Sundays, 2 - 3 p.m. Each Summer Series artist's residency will conclude with a Conversation with the Artist, a public lecture and slide presentation. July 6 Einar and Jamex de la Torre July 13 Jiri Harcuba July 20 Chad Holliday July 27 Susanne Jøker Johnsen Studio Gain some artistic inspiration in the Studio. Our colorful installation designed by architect Wyn Bielaska displays several objects from our Kids Design Glass collection, sculptures designed by young visitors and created by our own Hot Shop Team. It is an environment ideal for fostering creativity. Hands-On Art Activities: Nifty Notes with Barbara White Weekdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 - 5 p.m. Explore the art of book binding by creating your own gallery guide or Tall Ships captain's log. Kids Design Glass Sponsored by Key Foundation, a foundation funded by KeyBank, and the Muckleshoot Charity Fund Ongoing Our Kids Design Glass program invites children 12 and under to create original designs based on the artwork displayed at the Museum. Each month, one or two entries are selected to be interpreted into glass by the Hot Shop Team. Two vessels are created-one for the designer and one for the Museum's collection. Theater In the Museum Theater, visitors can view original documentary films that will expand their understanding of the artwork in the galleries, look inside the artistic process of a particular artist, or review the techniques and history of glassmaking. Films repeat throughout the day. The Time of Lino This Museum of Glass-produced documentary will take viewers on a journey through the life and career of Lino Tagliapietra, "the greatest glassblower that has ever been." Filmed on location in Murano, Italy and at the Museum of Glass. Run time: 48 minutes. Fire Gods: A Short Animated History of Glass Fire Gods is a 10-minute film that traces the history of glassmaking from its inception more than 2000 years ago up to today's contemporary glass. Two bantering-but-lovable fire gods, Ash and Burnie, serve as tour guides who highlight many of the transitional moments in the history of glass, such as the advent of glassblowing in the Roman period. As each historical innovation is revealed, the cutting edge animation gives way to beautiful hand-rendered drawings of seminal glass works representative of the period. Appropriate for children of all ages. The Museum of Glass provides a dynamic learning environment to appreciate the medium of glass through creative experiences, collections and exhibitions. In addition to the Hot Shop Amphitheater where visitors can watch artists work, the facilities include galleries, outdoor exhibition areas, a theater, hands-on art studio, grand hall, café and store. The Museum of Glass is sponsored in part by the City of Tacoma Arts Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission, ArtsFund and Comcast. The Visiting Artist Program at the Museum of Glass is sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott / Tacoma. Hours and Admission Open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Third Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Store is also open Tuesdays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day): also open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Independence Day, September 15, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free for members, $10 general, $8 seniors, military and students (13+ with ID), $8 groups of 10 or more, $4 children (6-12) years old. Children under 6 are admitted free. Admission is free every third Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Info Line 253-284-4750/ 1-866-4MUSEUM Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock Street Tacoma, WA 98402 For more information about the Museum of Glass: Susan Newsom, Communications Manager, 253-284-4732, snewsom@museumofglass.org <mailto:jpisto@museumofglass.org> ###