FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 2009 Media Contacts: Susan Newsom, Communications Manager, 253.284.4732, snewsom@museumofglass.org Julie Pisto, Director of Marketing & Communications, 253.284.2129, jpisto@museumofglass.org Museum of Glass Calendar Highlights for July, 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. SUMMER HOURS (Open 7 days a week Memorial Day through Labor Day): 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 CLOSED Saturday, September 12 to prepare for the Rendezvous at Red Hot 2009 Exhibition Opening Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire, and Shadows Organized by Museum of Glass Presented by Alaska Airlines Sponsored by Leonard and Norma Klorfine Foundation, Windgate Foundation, JoAnn McGrath, Tulalip Tribes Charitable Fund, Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, The Seattle Times, City Arts Magazine and Encore Arts Programs July 11, 2009 - September 19, 2010 Echoes, Fire, and Shadows is a mid-career survey of Preston Singletary's work which combines two of the Northwest's most prominent artistic influences-traditional Native American designs and the medium of glass. For nearly two decades, Singletary has melded the symbols, patterns and legends of his Tlingit heritage with the dynamism of the Studio Glass movement, creating a distinctive and powerful body of work. The exhibition includes 54 works including icons of Singletary's oeuvre and examples of his significant collaborative experiences. The signature piece of the exhibition is Clan House, a 16 x 10-foot cast-glass triptych commissioned for the Museum's Permanent Collection. Ongoing Exhibitions Incoming! Selections from the Permanent Collection Sponsored by the Guendolen Carkeek Pletstcheeff Fund for Decorative and Design Arts Through June 27, 2010 Incoming! is the first in a series of exhibitions devoted to documenting the continuing evolution of the Museum of Glass' permanent collection. It showcases twelve signature works-superlative in form, execution and concept-by both emerging and established artists. The objects are organized into categories of landscape and portraiture and reference how humankind and nature endure as powerful, universal sources of inspiration. Contrasts: A Glass Primer Organized by Museum of Glass Sponsored by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation and the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation Through October 11, 2009 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 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. 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." Martin Blank (American, born 1962) Fluent Steps, 2009 Hot-sculpted glass, steel Museum of Glass Permanent Collection Main Plaza Reflecting Pool Martin Blank's Fluent Steps captures the essence of water. Fluent Steps spans the entire length of the 210-foot-long Main Plaza reflecting pool and rises from water level to fifteen feet in height. It consists of 754 individually hand-sculpted pieces of glass mostly created in the Museum's Hot Shop during Blank's 45-day Visiting Artist residency in 2008. These forms are arranged into several islands of glass sculpture that capture the fluidity, light, motion and transparency of water in clear glass. "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 Events Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire, and Shadows Opening Weekend Celebration July 10 - 12, 2009 Celebrate the opening of the Museum's newest exhibition with a weekend of festivities: * FREE Admission for North American Tribal Members Present your tribal affiliation card at the admission desk and receive complimentary admission all weekend long. * Member and Artist Reception: Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire, and Shadows Friday, July 10 6 - 8 p.m. FREE for Museum of Glass Members and tribal members; $15 for non-members * Family Day Saturday, July 11 1 - 4 p.m. Tlingit artist and storyteller Miranda Belarde-Lewis will read selections from her book, Meet Lydia: A Native Girl from Southeast Alaska, and lead visitors in creating their own family crest regalia. * Performance by Swil Kanim, Native American Violinist, Storyteller and Poet Saturday, July 11 1 p.m. Original musical composition intertwined with storytelling, poetry and audience interaction. * Performance by Northern Star Dancers Saturday, July 11 3 p.m. The Northern Star Dancers perform in regalia made of traditional materials and trade items common to the Northwest Coast with family crests incorporated. Tribes represented include Tlingit, Haida, Tsimpshian, Cowachin and Inupiat. * Conversation with the Artist, Preston Singletary Sunday, July, 12 2 p.m. Lecture and slide presentation with Preston Singletary, followed by an artist- and curator-led exhibition walk-through Public Programs Family Day Saturday, July 11 1 - 4 p.m. Celebrate the opening of Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fire and Shadows. Join Tlingit artist and storyteller Miranda Belarde Lewis who will read selections from her book, Meet Lydia: A Native Girl from Southeast Alaska, and lead visitors in creating their own family crest regalia. Then watch Native American dance performances by the Northern Star dancers at 3 p.m. Third Thursday ArtWalk July 16 Free admission 5 - 8 p.m. sponsored by The Boeing Company and Columbia Bank Metal-Urge in the Museum Store Metal-Urge <http://museumofglass.cmail4.com/t/y/l/hkphy/kdtyjdkk/k> is a city-wide celebration of the metal arts with 23 venues exhibiting the work of over 100 artists. In August, the Museum Store will feature the work of artists who combine metal work with glass applications. * Samia Shalabi (thru July 12) Seattle artist Samia Shalabi <http://museumofglass.cmail4.com/t/y/l/hkphy/kdtyjdkk/u> who creates intricate, reversible gold jewelry using traditional hand-engraving techniques. Every year she travels to Mysore, India to study and perfect her skills. * Tisha Abrahamsen (August 20 - September 20) Trained in glass blowing, jewelry design and fabrication, Tisha Abrahamsen's work combines hand-blown glass elements, blown beads and sterling silver to create a unique style of art jewelry. Artist Trunk Sale: Saturday, August 22, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 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. 2009 Visiting Artist Summer Series Sponsored by Courtyard by Marriott / Tacoma Downtown Presented in partnership with Pilchuck Glass School June 17 - August 30 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 Visiting Artists to the Museum for a 5-day residency in the Hot Shop Amphitheater. DATES ARTIST HOMETOWN July 1 - 5 Lisa Zerkowitz Seattle, WA July 8 - 12 Stephen Day New Orleans, LA July 15 - 19 Peter Shelton Los Angeles, CA July 22 - 26 Joe David Vancouver, BC July 29 - August 2 Richard Whiteley New South Wales, Australia 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. July 6 - 7 Cayn Thompson, Seattle, WA July 13 - 14 Darin Denison, Seattle, WA July 20 - 21 Takuya Tokizawa, Seattle, WA July 27 - 28 Josie Gluck, Seattle, WA 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 NEW HOURS: Weekdays 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Saturdays 12 - 4 p.m.; Sundays 1 - 4 p.m. The Studio is an interactive, experiential learning space that provides visitors with creative opportunities for hands-on engagement with the ideas behind the glass. Activities are designed to engage all visitors, from toddlers to senior citizens. Each month a new hands-on art activity is presented that relates to a particular exhibition or Hot Shop application. Summer Studio projects will reference Preston Singletary: Echoes, Fires, and Shadows. 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. A selection of Kids Design Glass creatures is currently on display in Art Alley. A major exhibition of the sculptures will open in the Museum's gallery in October, 2009 before traveling to venues around the country. 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. July 5 Lisa Zerkowitz July 19 Peter Shelton July 26 Joe David Conversation with the Artist: Preston Singletary Sunday July 12 2 p.m. Lecture and slide presentation with Preston Singletary, followed by an artist- and curator-led exhibition walk-through. Demonstrations Flameworking Demonstration with Keiko Saturday, July 4, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 1 - 4 p.m. 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. Open Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Closed September 12, 2009, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free for members, $12 general, $10 seniors, military and students (13+ with ID), $10 groups of 10 or more, $5 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> ###