Claire Belfrage has been a visiting artist and lecturer in Australia and the United States. She is currently a researcher for the South Australian School of Art. Her work is inspired by the small details, growth and movement found in nature. In her technique, Belfrage arranges long, thin threads of glass in a repetitive order across a hand blown glass form until it is completely covered, flaming only three to six of these threads at a time in a very precise process.

                                Nancy Blair is both an artist and a published author.  Her mostly narrative sculptures and mixed media works include glass, ceramics and found objects that stem from her lifelong interest in the shamanic and transformative healing arts. At the Museum, Blair plans to create shaman figures inspired by ancient ritual vessels to be used as part of a future installation.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 28, 2009 Media Contact: Susan Newsom, Communications Manager 253.284.4732 snewsom@museumofglass.org Museum of Glass Calendar Highlights for May, 2009 All events are included with admission to the Museum unless otherwise noted. Calendar listings are subject to change. For updated information, please visit our website at www.museumofglass.org or call the information line at 253.284.4750 or 1.866.4MUSEUM. FALL-WINTER-SPRING HOURS: Wednesday 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. Closed September 12, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day Museum Store also open Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. SUMMER HOURS (Memorial Day through Labor Day): Begin Monday, May 25 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 and Labor Day Exhibition Opening Incoming! Selections from the Permanent Collection May 16, 2009 - June 27, 2010 Incoming! is the first in a series of exhibitions devoted to the Museum's Permanent Collection. It showcases signature works-superlative in form, execution and concept-by both emerging and established artists while recounting the continuing evolution of the collection. The objects are loosely organized into categories of landscape and portraiture and reference how humankind and nature endure as powerful, universal sources of inspiration. Ongoing Exhibitions White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman Organized by Daniel Clayman/Montague Studios, Ltd. Through June 14, 2009 White Light: Glass Compositions by Daniel Clayman comprises seven large-scale, dense, opaque sculptures that challenge viewers' perceptions of glass art and defies the stereotype of contemporary glass. Created using the cire perdu (lost wax casting) technique, the forms appear extremely simple, yet Clayman describes his process as intensely difficult. In them, Clayman embraces the Minimalist discipline, masterfully combining it with the dynamism of the Studio Glass movement and his own fascination with the nature of light. The result is light made manifest as a seemingly tangible object. Contrasts: A Glass Primer Organized by the Museum of Glass Through October 11, 2009 Sponsored by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation and the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation 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 65 objects and challenges visitors to observe and describe the artwork before making value judgments. 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. A multi-sensory tour experience is available, which provides audio descriptions of the artwork along with glass elements that visitors can touch to illustrate specific attributes of the glass. Made at the Museum: The Visiting Artist Collection Organized by the Museum of Glass Ongoing The Visiting Artist Program brings artists from the region and around the world to the Museum of Glass to work with the Hot Shop team to explore, invent and create with glass. After each residency the Museum and the artist select one work of art to be included in the permanent collection. These objects are rotated on and off display throughout the year as new works are created. Martin Blank (American, born 1962) Fluent Steps, 2009 Hot-sculpted glass, steel Opens April 18, 2009 Main Plaza Reflecting Pool Martin Blank's Fluent Steps captures the essence of water. Comprising individual islands of glass sculpture created in the Museum's Hot Shop, this monumental sculpture will span the entire length of the 210-foot-long reflecting pool and rise from water level to fifteen feet in height. "Water can be placid, sublime and in an instant a tremendous surge of raw power. This installation is a visual exploration capturing the chase between the macro and micro qualities of water using glass as a conduit to translate my thoughts." - Martin Blank Joseph Gregory Rossano (American, born 1962) Mirrored Murrelets, 2008 Mirrored hot-sculpted glass, steel, mold-formed fiberglass Through December, 2009 Mezzanine Plaza Reflecting Pool Joseph Rossano's Mirrored Murrelets highlights the impact of a changing environment on the Marbled Murrelet, a small sea bird that nests primarily in the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. The installation comprises 275 mirrored glass birds, created in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop in January, 2008, that "float" just above the surface of the Museum's mid-level reflecting pool. The mirrored surfaces of the birds 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 Member and Artist Reception: A Night of Firsts Friday, May 15 6 p.m. Museum members, donors and supporters are invited to a party on the plaza to celebrate the completion of Martin Blank's Fluent Steps and the roll-out of the Mobile Hot Shop truck. Inside, preview Incoming! Selections from the Permanent Collection and enjoy music and hors d'oeuvres in the Grand Hall. Admission is FREE for Museum of Glass members; $15 non-members. Public Programs Family Day: Spring Spectacular Saturday, May 9 1 - 4 p.m. Come to the Museum for the third annual Spring Spectacular. Artist Jennifer Adams will lead a personalized photo frame activity while Pacific Ballroom dancers swirl and spin in the Grand Hall. Visitors can have their faces painted by Barb White and Ms. Lily Flamingo and design and decorate their own cupcakes. Third Thursday ArtWalk May 21 Free admission 5 - 8 p.m. sponsored by The Boeing Company and Columbia Bank 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. Hot Shop Visiting Artist Program Sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott / Tacoma The Museum's Visiting Artist Program hosts internationally-known and emerging artists in our world-class Hot Shop to create new works in glass with our professional team of artists <http://www.museumofglass.org/live-glassmaking/about-the-team/> . We invite artists whose work is exhibited (or will be exhibited) in the Museum galleries or whose work is thematically or technically linked to the exhibition program. One piece created during the residency is selected by the artist and Museum staff to be added to the Museum's permanent collection. May 13 - 17 Clare Belfrage, Adelaide, Australia Claire Belfrage has been a visiting artist and lecturer in Australia and the United States. She is currently a researcher for the South Australian School of Art. Her work is inspired by the small details, growth and movement found in nature. In her technique, Belfrage arranges long, thin threads of glass in a repetitive order across a hand blown glass form until it is completely covered, flaming only three to six of these threads at a time in a very precise process. May 20 - 24 Nancy Blair, Melbourne Beach, FL Nancy Blair is both an artist and a published author. Her mostly narrative sculptures and mixed media works include glass, ceramics and found objects that stem from her lifelong interest in the shamanic and transformative healing arts. At the Museum, Blair plans to create shaman figures inspired by ancient ritual vessels to be used as part of a future installation. 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 tiaunnah@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/> . Studio The Studio is an interactive, experiential learning space that provides visitors with creative opportunities for hands-on engagement with the ideas behind the glass. Hands-On Art Activities: Paper Paradise with Jennifer Adams Weekdays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 - 5 p.m. Explore art techniques through hands-on art activities. Fold, cut and tear paper to create a collage vista scene. Kids Design Glass Sponsored by Key Foundation, a foundation funded by KeyBank, and the Muckleshoot Charity Fund Ongoing Children under the age of 12 Our Kids Design Glass program invites children 12 and under who visit the Museum or are patients at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital to design a glass sculpture. Each month, one entry is selected by the MOG Hot Shop team. Two sculptures are created-one for the child designer and one for the Museum's permanent collection and upcoming exhibition, Kids Design Glass, opening in October, 2009. Selected designs will be created in the Hot Shop Sunday, May 31. Theater Documentaries Every day, visitors can view original documentary films to expand their understanding of the artwork in the galleries, gain insight into the artistic process of a particular artist, or review the techniques and history of glassmaking. Films repeat throughout the day. Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Conversations with the Artists Sponsored by PONCHO Sundays, 2 - 3 p.m. May 17 Clare Belfrage May 24 Nancy Blair 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 Gary E. Milgard Foundation, the Bamford Foundation, the Klorfine Foundation, Gallucci's, the City of Tacoma Arts Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission and ArtsFund. 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 September 12, 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 www.museumofglass.org <http://www.museumofglass.org/> For more information about the Museum of Glass: Susan Newsom, Communications Manager, 253-284-4732, snewsom@museumofglass.org <mailto:jpisto@museumofglass.org> ###