From the Director

Dr. Ellen "Nan" Plummer
Executive Director

Gathering Glass

The "gather" is the blob of molten glass at the end of a glassblower's pipe (or "punty"). This hot, formless lump, twirled up out of the furnace, is how every blown glass object begins. Clear or colorful, large or small, symmetrical or free-formed, every vessel that takes shape under the force of the artist's breath and hand starts this way.

Exhibitions can start that way, too. A glowing blob of an idea emerges from a curator's notebook, a director's file or a group discussion. If the decision is made to make it into something, then the clock starts ticking and teamwork kicks in. Just like a glassblowing shop, many people-just how many depends on the size of the project-need to perform a variety of roles on a brisk schedule, lest the idea cool, crack and remain a lump on opening day.

In the case of HOT COLOR cool glass, Curator of Contemporary Craft Anne Gochenour has had the responsibility for breathing life into a very big initial idea and coordinating the work of the Arts Center staff to make it into an exhibition to out-do the popular Dale Chihuly show of 2000. She has gathered glass from our own vaults and from all over the United States. Major museums are lending magnificent pieces, as are private collectors. And Anne has purchased several stunning new works for our own collection, which will make their public debut in this show.

The staff of the Arts Center has gathered around this idea as well, finding sponsors, developing an education gallery and many programs, promoting it all to our members and community.

When you arrive at the members' reception on May 8, we hope you will enjoy the layer upon layer of creative collaboration that made HOT COLOR cool glass a reality.