In the summer of 1962, Harvey K. Littleton led a glassblowing workshop at the Toledo Museum of Art, introducing the idea that glass can be mixed, melted and blown in a studio-based furnace, all by the artist. This revolutionary concept launched the studio art glass movement in America.
Shortly after his first workshop, Littleton started a graduate course and glass studio at the University of Wisconsin. This attracted artist Dale Chihuly, who adopted this avant-garde art form and quickly became a leader in the widespread adoption of studio art glass.
Fifty years later, art glass is an extremely popular medium. As part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show each year, several artists exhibit their glass works. To acknowledge the accomplishments of studio art glass artists, a few of the pieces from last year are shown below:
Vase by Brian Becher
Lantern by Dan Mirer
Bowl by Michael Schunke
Sources: www.littletoncollection.com/Littleton,%20Harvey/harvey_littleton.htm, http://www.chihuly.com/biography.aspx, both accessed April 12, 2012.
