Division Releases

Experience the Lustrous History of Ohio's Glass Heritage
Exhibits, demonstrations, museums and workshops celebrate Ohio's multi-faceted glass legacy
11/3/2009

CONTACT:
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591
Leslie Holbrook at (614) 383-1635

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Nov. 3, 2009) - Ohio's rich glass heritage took root in the northwest portion of the state when the Libbey Glass Company, one of the largest glass manufacturers in the country, came to Toledo in 1888. Since then, a long history of innovation in the glass industry has positioned Ohio as a hot spot for glass heritage. Today, glass museums throughout the state celebrate the sleek artistry of this craft while world-renowned exhibits from glass artist Dale Chihuly showcase the artistic integrity and fine detail infused into these art pieces.

Whether you are seeking authentic glass pieces to add to your own collection, would like to experience a live glass-blowing demonstration or just want to learn more about glass history, Ohio has a great variety of opportunities to become more acquainted with all things glass. Following is just a sampling of how visitors can celebrate Ohio's rich glass heritage. For additional ideas, visit www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1-800-BUCKEYE.

See How It All Begins
The Canal Fulton Glassworks gallery in northeast Ohio works as both a studio and classroom. Visitors to the gallery experience the art of glass blowing as artists transform molten glass into works of art and learn about the history of glass and the glassmaking process. A mixed-media art gallery featuring more than 500 individual handmade works of art from Ohio artists also is on view. Throughout the year, workshops and classes are available to those interested in creating personalized, free-formed glass flowers or classic paperweights. Offered on an individual basis, glass bead-making classes cover the history of the craft and the techniques used to create glass beads.

Established in 1838, the BeauVerre/Riordan Stained Glass Studio in southeast Ohio's Middletown is the country's oldest continually operating stained glass studio. The studio specializes in stained, beveled, etched, painted and fused glass pieces. The featured gallery showcases windows, lamps, glassware and more exclusive to BeauVerre. Visitors can watch studio artists demonstrate the art of glass blowing and tour the facility's stained-glass windows. The studio also offers classes for beginner and advanced students. Check out the visitor's art gallery for local artists' work including sculptures, paintings and jewelry, many of which are available for purchase.

Located in Tiffin, Crystal Traditions is the only glass factory where blowing glass, hand cutting crystal, sand carving, acid polishing and glass crystal repairs are done on the premises. Tours of Crystal Traditions are free, and visitors can watch Glass Blower and Master Gaffer Eric Cromwell create special designs while explaining to visitors the techniques he uses to transform a gather of molten glass into a work of art. Also on site, Irish master brilliant cutter and designer Aidan Scully demonstrates the art of hand cutting crystal into museum-quality work. Don't miss the Crystal Traditions showroom to shop for crystal giftware.

Sleek Displays
Beginning Nov. 12 through Feb. 20, 2010, the King Arts Complex in Columbus introduces African Art: Tradition & Influence, an exhibit that features works from glass artist Steve Hazard. Never before shown in Ohio, Hazard's designs utilize mediums including glass, clay and metal, creating traditional and contemporary African artistic creations including crystal art, fused-glass pedestals, bowls and vases. The influence of tribal patterns and symbols can be seen in the artist's work, which beautifully reflects the spirit of traditional Africa.

Through preservation and education, the Tiffin Glass Museum honors the heritage established by members of Tiffin's Glass House and safeguards glassware made by artisans from the factory's nearly 100-year history. Among the more than 2,000 pieces of Tiffin Glass shown at the museum are popular glass lines, stemware, lamps, optics and colors. The museum presents examples of glassware produced at the Tiffin factory from its beginning in 1889 as the A.J. Beatty and Sons Company until the end of production in 1980 as the Tiffin Glass Company. Many memorabilia items are displayed, and other items are continuously added to the museum.

Chihuly in Ohio
Through the end of November, Toledo builds on its Glass City reputation with Chihuly Toledo!, an exhibit that features glass pieces from the world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. Housed in the museum's Glass Pavilion--a stunning, post-modern creation that features exterior and interior walls of large, curved-glass panels--this free exhibit features rarely-seen master works from the museum's extensive Chihuly collection. Accompanying the pieces are sketches and drawings that inspired Chihuly to create the glass pieces that made his collection world famous.

Chihuly Reimagined at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus showcases the signature collection of Chihuly's pieces and three new multi-faceted installations through the end of March. The exhibit features thousands of Chihuly's glass pieces among the conservatory's plant collections, making this stunning, vibrant display a truly unforgettable experience and the country's largest glass collection owned by a conservatory. Through Jan. 3, 2010, the conservatory offers a working glass Hot Shop that gives visitors an up-close opportunity to see glass gathered and blown by local, professional gaffers.

The Hawk Galleries in Columbus features modern artists who create contemporary sculpture and celebrate the use of glass as a fine medium, and welcomes Chihuly XIV, the artist's 14th solo exhibit, through the end of January. The galleries highlight several pieces of Chihuly's work, including the Scarlet and Yellow Persian Feather Chandelier, a 7-foot-tall explosion of depth, colors and shapes, and the Amber and Crystal Waterford Chandelier, a dramatic, yet delicate, piece of sleek and innovative art. Chihuly's recent exploration of black glass is emphasized by several sculptures including the Opal and Jet Gilded Sconce and the Black Venetian with Gold Leaves.

The Columbus Museum of Art ignites the imagination and kindles the visionary senses with a brilliant display that incorporates the element of light in Chihuly Illuminated, through July 4, 2010. Including neon sculptures, large-scale installations, drawings and other related work from the early 1970s to present day, the exhibit highlights Chihuly's attraction to light as both a medium and concept. Among the featured pieces is the Mille Fiori, a 56-foot garden of glass. The exhibit also features works never before seen in Columbus, along with pieces from Chihuly's private collection, offering a personal glimpse into his studio and work.

For additional opportunities to celebrate Ohio's glass heritage, follow us on Twitter @DiscoverOhio or become a fan of the Ohio Tourism Division on Facebook at www.facebook.com/discoverohio. To order your free copy of the 2009 Ohio Travel Planner or Fall/Winter Ohio Calendar of Events, click on the Free Publications icon on www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1-800-BUCKEYE. The Ohio Travel Planner and Calendar of Events also are both viewable online.

About the Ohio Tourism Division
The Ohio Tourism Division is the premier source of information for travelers and media about Ohio's vibrant tourism experiences, attractions, and economy. Division marketing programs contributed to an estimated $39 billion in total sales in 2008 and 452,000 jobs sustained by visitors to the state. A part of the Ohio Department of Development, the Division's mission is to promote and celebrate Ohio's unique travel opportunities and market the state's outstanding quality of life.

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Editor's Note: High-resolution images are available for download/request from the Ohio Tourism Division's Online Press Room at: http://consumer.discoverohio.com/pressroom/ by searching key term "glass heritage."