For Immediate Release January 16, 2009 Media Contact: Susan Newsom, Communications Manager 253-284-4732 snewsom@museumofglass.org IMAGES AVAILABLE Maestro Lino Tagliapietra Returns to the Museum of Glass Hot Shop for Two-Week Residency Tacoma, Wash. (January 16, 2009)- Lino Tagliapietra, the maestro of glassblowing, will return to the Museum of Glass Hot Shop for a two-week residency beginning February 1, 2009. The residency will continue February 4 - 8 and 11 - 15, 2009. During his time at MOG, Tagliapietra will demonstrate his expertise that has earned him the distinction of one of the world's greatest glassblowers. Tagliapietra will kick off his residency on Sunday, February 1, by creating a glass creature designed by a young Museum visitor. Children under the age of 12 who visit the Museum or are patients at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital are invited to participate in the Kids Design Glass program by designing 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. Tagliapietra is one of a select group of artists who has been invited to participate in the program. "It is a tremendous honor to have Lino a part of our Kids Design Glass program," comments Museum of Glass Director Timothy Close. "Over the years, Lino has worked with professional designers, but probably not with one under the age of twelve." Tagliapietra began working in the glassmaking industry at the age of 11 in Murano, Italy. His career-from a childhood spent working in glass factories, through maturation as a designer and craftsman for industry, to full fruition as an independent artist-is highly unusual, especially in American Studio Glass. Almost thirty years after his first visit to the Pilchuck Glass School north of Seattle, Tagliapietra's glassblowing skills still surpass most other efforts in the United States and elsewhere. Although rooted in the thousand-year-old traditions of Venice, the inventiveness of his work keeps it relevant to contemporary aesthetics. His art in glass stands within the grandest ranks of the decorative arts. Tagliapietra is equally revered as an educator. Through his teaching and example, Tagliapietra has helped keep the heritage of Italian glassmaking alive, thriving and evolving in locales as far afield as the Pacific Northwest, Australia and Japan. His artistic mastery and vision continue to influence artists and make him an icon in the world of Studio Glass. Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass, an exhibition organized by the Museum of Glass, is currently on tour at the following venues. * Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery, <http://americanart.si.edu/renwick/> Washington, D.C. October 3, 2008 - January 1, 2009 * Chrysler Museum of Art, <http://www.chrysler.org/> Norfolk, VA April 8 - July 19, 2009 * Palm Springs Art Museum, <http://www.psmuseum.org/> Palm Springs, CA September 26 - December 27, 2009 * Museum of Arts and Design, <http://www.madmuseum.org/> New York, NY February 1 - May 31, 2010 NOTE: The Museum of Glass will open at 9 a.m. weekdays and Saturdays for this residency. Tagliapietra will work 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesdays - Saturdays and 12 - 5 p.m. on Sundays. A book signing session will be held on Saturday, February 14 at 3:30 p.m. About the Visiting Artist Program The Museum of Glass Hot Shop Visiting Artist Program hosts internationally known artists and emerging artists from the region and around the world-some who are masters of glass and some who are experimenting with the medium for the first time. They work with the Museum's resident Hot Shop team to explore, invent and create with glass. With a diverse mixture of culture, style, focus and expertise, each artist offers Museum visitors the chance to experience a distinct creative style. 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, studio, grand hall, store and café. 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 generously sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott / Tacoma Downtown. 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 ###