GUEST GLASS ARTISANS AT OGLEBAY INSTITUTE GLASS MUSEUM

WHEELING, W.Va. (May 7, 2008)- - Designed to pay tribute to Wheeling’s glass heritage and showcase the beauty and artistry of glass working, special demonstrations will take place in May, June, July and August at Oglebay Institute’s Glass Museum.

Guest Artist Weekends feature glass artisans from Wheaton Arts, Fenton, Pittsburgh Glass Center and Wilkerson Glass and allow visitors to view the artistry of some of the region’s most talented glass workers, talk to them about their work and work side by side with them in the Studio.

“One of the most exciting and educational aspects of visiting the Glass Museum is having the opportunity to learn directly from our resident artist Bob Allen. Now, through these special programs, visitors can also learn different techniques used by other glass artisans to practice this ancient art form,” Oglebay Institute Director of Museums Christin Stein said.

Upcoming Guest Artist Weekends include:

Groch Family, Wheaton Arts, May 24, 10 a.m.- 2p.m. only
Dr. George Groch has been a volunteer glass blower and lecturer at Wheaton Arts in Millville, New Jersey for more than 20 years.

A leading resource of American craft with an emphasis on the medium of glass, Wheaton Arts is a nonprofit arts organization that features museum and gallery exhibits; interpretive demonstrations in various craft mediums; an artist fellowship program; outreach and on-site school programs; and collector's seminars. All serve to educate a multi-level audience on the role of the crafts in both traditional and contemporary life.

George’s sons, Jim, Alan and Michael, learned the art of glassblowing from their father and will join him in the Oglebay Institute Glass Studio for these special demonstrations.

Dave Fetty, Fenton Glass Artist, June 21-22, regular museum hours
Dave Fetty, who designed some of Fenton’s first limited edition pieces, retired in 1999 after more than 40 years in the glass industry. Even after his "official" retirement, he has continued to contribute to Fenton. In addition to working closely with the glassworkers who produced a "Hanging Hearts" vase for the Connoisseur Collection, his contribution to the Collection in 2002 was the "Favrene Feathers Vase." Dave also contributes pieces for the Collectors Room at the Fenton Collectors Convention held in August of each year.

Never at a loss for ideas, Dave handcrafts limited editions of off-hand pieces based on his mood and inspiration.

Theresa Cress, Artist at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, July 12-13, regular museum hours
Theresa Cress’ intrigue for glass began as an undergraduate at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia in 1988, where she received her bachelor’s of fine art in glass. She studied under Jon F. Clark, Jack Wax, and Anna Boothe. She was a visiting artist at Salisbury (MD) State University’s sculpture department in 2000, expanding glass working skills and teaching philosophies. Theresa joined the Pittsburgh Glass Center as a glassblowing instructor in 2002.

Fred Wilkerson, Studio Artist at Wilkerson Glass, August 2-3, regular museum hours
Fred Wilkerson is known throughout the United States and worldwide for his innovative use of color, style and design of hand-shaped art glass. Born in 1963, his first experience with molten glass came in 1975 when his father, Fred W. Wilkerson, built a small glass studio. Several years were spent watching, learning and polishing his skills at every opportunity. Yet, he says, “there still seems to be so much more. There is just something about the whole process of taking silica sand in a solid state, heating it to an extreme temperature that transforms it into a liquid, manipulating the liquid, molding it and watching it as it takes shape right in front of your very eyes. Hot glass is a medium not widely available to all artists, yet one that all should be so lucky to experience.”

All guest artists will conduct public demonstrations at the Glass Studio, located in Carriage House Glass in Oglebay Resort. Cress and Wilkerson will conduct individual workshops on a first come, first served basis. The Museums are open to the public 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday –Saturday and noon- 5 p.m. Sunday.

“Oglebay Institute’s Glass Museum is one of only a handful of institutions in the eastern United States providing live glass working demonstrations, following the successful lead of such prestigious institutions as Corning Museum of Glass, Pittsburgh Glass Center and Wheaton Village,” Oglebay Institute President Kathleen McDermott said.

The Glass Museum features more than 3500 examples of historic glass and china made in Wheeling from 1820-1952. The museum focuses on the history, products and legacy of the five major glass companies that operated in Wheeling: Ritchie; Sweeney; Hobbs, Brockunier; Central and Northwood. Also on display is the famous Sweeney Punchbowl, which weighs 225 pounds, stands five feet tall and is the largest piece of cut glass tableware ever produced.

For more information on the Museums of Oglebay Institute or on special glass artist events, call 304.242.7272.