The Spirit and Culture of Glass

If you want to nerd out on the unique scientific qualities of glass there are certainly more dualities, as it shifts between states— sometimes solid, sometimes liquid—never quite settling on one or the other. As a result, glass has a certain mystique: a sense of mystery and awe, of wonder and potential. And it is for all those reasons that hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world make their way to the small town of Corning, NY, “America’s Crystal City,” to experience the wonders of glass. 

The spirit and culture of glass found throughout Corning has been built on the shoulders of factory workers and glass artists alike. More layers to that duality. 

While there’s often a romanticized feeling about glassblowing, a delicate dance between artist and material that you can experience for yourself when you visit, the backbone of Corning’s glass story for decades centered around hard work and innovation. Whether it was James Lear and his crew in the factory back in 1880 spending an entire day hand-shaping 165 special glass containers for Thomas Edison’s incandescent lamps or Corning physicist and engineer, George V. McCauley in the 1930s, who helped create the largest single piece of glass ever made (at the time) to be used in the Hale telescope connecting us with the stars. 

Of course, the artistry of glass is also synonymous with Corning, thanks in large part to The Corning Museum of Glass, the world’s largest museum devoted to the material, and to the many glass artists who call the town home.

When you visit the museum, you get to explore 3,500 years of glassmaking history. Stroll through the remarkable day-lit Contemporary Art + Design Wing, the largest space in the world devoted to contemporary glass art. And watch master glassblowers transform molten glass before your eyes during live demonstrations (it’s like being on the set of Blown Away). 

One of the best things about the museum is the opportunity for you to try your hand at making your own glass art. The Studio at the museum was recently named one of the “greatest places in the world” by TIME magazine. 

“The only thing more fun than watching glass blowing is trying it out first hand . . .” — Angela Tiffin, Traveling Mom

But Corning is more than the Fortune 500 Glass Titan, Corning Incorporated. And it’s more than the world-renowned museum. Folks there have spent decades exploring and expanding the possible uses of glass and developing new ways to make it better, stronger, more useful, even more beautiful. The spirit and culture of glass in Corning is also the result of many glass artists, those working at the museum and at local studios, as well as those whose work can be found in shops and galleries throughout the historic Gaffer District. 

Some of the artists you might encounter in Corning, or whose work you can buy while you’re in town include:

Cat Burns

You might know glass artist Cat Burns from Netflix’s Blown Away. Cat has had a long relationship with The Corning Museum of Glass. When she couldn't afford art school, she came to the museum to learn. While she does not work for the museum, she has done an Artist-in Residence experience at The Studio. Cat sells some of her work in the Museum Shops. 

Helen Tegeler & Catherine Ayers

Glass artists whom you might see at The Corning Museum of Glass performing live demonstrations include Helen Tegeler and Catherine Ayers who continue to push the boundaries of glassmaking developing their own styles and expressing themselves through their chosen medium. Visitors to the museum can often see Helen and Catherine, as well as visiting guest artists taking part in the daily live glassblowing demonstrations and special events. 

“I loved the personal, intimate feel of Hands On.” — Alex Baackes, Alex in Wanderland

Rodi Rovner 

While visiting her brother at college in Vermont back in the 1970’s, Rodi Rovner ducked into the school’s glass studio to warm up. Hot glass has been part of her life ever since. Despite an artist’s individual talents and artistic vision, despite years spent developing skills and mastering techniques, “working with a material that is constantly changing can be quite humbling,” says Rodi, who founded the first public access studio to offer hands-on glassblowing classes in Corning three decades ago. The goal was to create a place to provide access to this amazing material for everyone from novice to professional, including experiences for participants as young as two years-of-age.

“Hands-On Glass, the original glassmaking experience in town . . . offers a similar but more personalized and family friendly experience.” — Maria Carter, Country Living

Tom Kelly

Though some people might find the unpredictability of glass frustrating to work with, that challenge is gaffer Tom Kelly’s favorite part. “How the littlest things,” he says when asked what he loves most, “such as temperature and the environment, can affect the molten glass and the way it performs when I'm trying to work it.” Tom’s word choice should be noted, as it reveals an important element of his philosophy. “I don't think I really control the molten glass. I just influence it.” And it’s the way he influences the glass that has captured the attention of people around the world, especially with the intricate sculptures called “heechee probes” where Tom wraps colorful molten glass around a solid glass probe.

Other exceptional artists associated with the museum include Eric Meek (you may have seen him on Blown Away in an advisory capacity) and flame-worker extraordinaire Eric Goldschmidt (you might catch him creating new pieces during live demos at the museum).

By his early 20’s, the late Max Erlacher was a master engraver with a growing reputation. At 24, he came to Corning to work for world-renowned Steuben Glass where he created one-of-a-kind pieces for world leaders, European Royalty, and American Presidents including the official wedding gift from President and Mrs. Regan to Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, a special PT109 piece for President John F. Kennedy, and more. Max collaborated on magnificent pieces with others artists like Kiki Smith, Erik Hilton, and Debbie Tarsitano and taught for The Studio at The Corning Museum of Glass sharing his significant knowledge and perspective with other glass artists. As you explore historic Market Street, be sure to stop by Home Again, run by Max’s wife Kitty, where you can find vintage Carder Steuben glass and other wonderful glass collectibles, as well as remarkable pieces by Max.

“The Erlacher Steuben Glass Collection: This is a must see store when you are in town.” — Bob Glaze, Classic Chicago Magazine

It’s not surprising that the place where fiber optics, Gorilla glass, Pyrex, and other world-changing innovations in glass were invented is also home to The Corning Museum of Glass, the world’s largest glass museum. What is surprising, is the many ways visitors get to experience glass in a while new way, when they visit this small town. 

Learn more about the wonders of glass at ExploreSteuben.com/experience-glass.