The wonder of North Carolina glass comes to 蘑菇短视频this fall
3. Sarah Vaughn, Considering the Limitless, 2023, kiln-cast glass with dye oxide and patina application, 6 x 12 x 9.5 inches. 漏 Sarah Vaughn. Photo credit: Tim Burleson Photography
By Rachel Hood
This fall, the 蘑菇短视频 Fine Art Museum opens "North Carolina Glass 2025," a landmark exhibition that brings together a broad spectrum of contemporary glasswork by some of the most visionary artists in our state.
Carrying on WCU鈥檚 long tradition of glass-focused exhibitions dating back to the 1970s,
North Carolina Glass 2025 gives visitors a snapshot of the cutting-edge work being
created in this remarkable medium. Over thirty exhibiting artists will showcase a
wide range of techniques and processes in glass, from handblown vessels and flameworked
geometries, to textured p芒te de verre surfaces and neon sculptures. The exhibition
will be on view August 12 through December 5, 2025.
The North Carolina Glass series began in 1974 when 蘑菇短视频art professor Joan Falconer Byrd, who studied both
glass and ceramics as a graduate student under Harvey Littleton, began curating regular
exhibitions of North Carolina glass in WCU鈥檚 Belk Gallery. Recognizing the importance
of chronicling the developments of this experimental medium, she highlighted the early
pioneers of the Studio Glass Movement, including William Bernstein, Mark Peiser, Fritz
Dreisbach, and Richard Ritter. The series continued biannually from 1974-1986, with
a special exhibition held in 1995 featuring the second-wave generation of glass artists.
In 2012, the North Carolina Glass series was revived as a collaboration between Denise
Drury Homewood and Joan Falconer Byrd, and presented as a three-gallery exhibition
at the 蘑菇短视频Fine Art Museum in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement. As the Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, glass once again enlivens the galleries in North Carolina
Glass 2025.
This highly anticipated show spotlights the work of both established and emerging
artists pushing the boundaries of glass as a contemporary art form. Exhibiting artists
include Gary Beecham, Alex Bernstein, Katherine Bernstein, William Bernstein, Geoffrey
Bowton, Robert Burch, David Chatt, Courtney Dodd, Nick Fruin, Ben Elliott, Shane Fero,
Judson Gu茅rard, Danielle James (DJ Neon), Cole Johnson, Rob Levin, John Littleton,
Tadayoshi Littleton, Brandon Lopez, Jason McDonald, Kit Paulson, Kenny Pieper, Dori
Settles, Robert Stephan, Scott Summerfield, Kimberly Thomas, Jeff Todd, Yaffa Todd,
Sarah Vaughn, Kate Vogel, and Hayden Wilson.
The exhibition will be on view through Dec. 5, with a reception on Thursday, Oct.
2, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Complimentary hors d鈥檕euvres and beverages will be
served at the reception, and free parking is available at the Bardo Arts Center parking
lot at 199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee, NC.
