WAUSAU — Beginning April 29, 10 days of glass-making demonstrations will complement two glass exhibits at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau.
Shining molten glass will be transformed into sparkling objects throughout narrated glass-making demonstrations, from April 29 to May 8, in the Corning Museum of Glass Mobile Hot Shop, a fully functional glass making studio on wheels, to be located on the campus of the Woodson Art Museum, 700 N. 12th St.
Details of the glass making demonstration
Visitors to the Hot Shop can observe the transformation of hot glass into utilitarian and artistic objects during glassmaking demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from April 29 to May 8.
During Hot Shop Talk on May 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m., guest artists from the Corning Museum of Glass Mobile Hot Shop share their perspective on the influence of the Art Deco movement on the functional and artistic design of glass.
Get additional details about the Mobile Hot Shop at lywam.org/learn-do/guest-artists/corning-museum-of-glass-mobile-hot-shop/. You can also watch this video on the Museum’s mobile store: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UsJ31pAwjQ.
Two glass exhibits
The artistry, tools and techniques used to produce a range of art glass at the Mobile Hot Shop glass making demonstrations complement the two exhibits in the galleries, showcasing 1920s and 1930s Art Deco designs as well as 20th century glass. Collection of the Woodson Museum of Art.
Clean lines, geometric shapes and bright colors characterize the “Art Deco glass from the David Huchthausen collection”, on view until June 5. Emerging in contrast to the ornate style of Art Nouveau amid the austerity of World War I, Art Deco glass fell out of favor after World War II, and regained popularity in the 1970s when Huchthausen started collecting seriously.
Glass artwork from the collection of the Woodson Art Museum is featured in “Molten: 30 Years of American Glass.” It exemplifies the vast experimentation with studio glass from the 1970s through the 1990s. The Studio Glass movement that spread from Wisconsin to the east and west coasts through a network of student-teachers led by glass artist Harvey K. Littleton was marked by a new approach to glass making. In a radical departure from glass made in factories, studio glass was designed and created by the same person – the artist.
Student exhibition in sight
Artwork from Wausau East High School’s International Baccalaureate Art Program student portfolio is on display at the Woodson Art Museum in “exh-IB-ition,” through June 3, coordinated by the Department Head of art Joel Pataconi and the Woodson Art Museum. During artist talks on June 2, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., students from this year’s IB Art Program share their ideas about their work.
Spring Program Highlights
- During Night Out @ the Woodson on the first Thursday of every month, the museum stays open until 7:30 p.m. — perfect for date nights, making memories with family and friends, or solo tours. Admire the works of art on display, dabble in artistic creation and explore Art Park, the museum’s interactive gallery.
- SPARK!, May 5, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Bring a friend or loved one with memory loss for a social outing in a calming environment. “Art Deco Glass” sparks a one-on-one conversation between participants and an accompanying friend, family member or care partner. Social interaction is followed by hands-on artistic activity. Call the museum at 715-845-7010 to register.
- Art Beyond Sight, May 7, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Visually impaired and blind people join Corning Hot Shop artists and museum educators for a multi-sensory exploration of glass production and Art Deco designs. Call the museum at 715-845-7010 to register.
- International Museum Day, May 18: Help the Woodson Art Museum celebrate International Museum Day by coloring and sharing your favorite museum memory by picking up a coloring page at the museum. Drop off your finished page at the Visitor Services desk for display at the Museum.
For more details, see the calendar of events and these web pages:
Glass demonstrations, April 29-May 8
Art Deco glass from the Huchthausen collection
Molten: 30 years of American glass
For more information, visit www.lywam.org, email the museum at info@lywam.org, or call 715-845-7010.