About Studio Glass

"Studio glass" typically describes one-of-a-kind pieces made in individual studios rather than glass factories. This movement started in Toledo, Ohio, in the early 1960's, when Harvey Littleton and his friend Dominick Labino decided to build their own glass-making furnaces and equipment in a freestanding studio. Many of their techniques had been used for literally thousands of years, while others developed from necessity and inspiration. Soon they were producing work that was revolutionary--completely hands-on, unique, and quite beautiful. The word spread. The artists freely demonstrated their techniques and innovations, with a strong spirit of camaraderie and collegiality that lives on today. University art departments began to offer courses in glass working, museums began to acquire studio glass, and a network of collectors developed.
Studio glass is now generally recognized as fine art. The value of early works by well-known artists has increased accordingly. In fact, contemporary studio glass is appreciating faster than any other artistic medium. But there are always wonderful, affordable pieces by emerging artists--some clearly on their way to significant careers.

Western North Carolina Glass
Glass artists have been drawn to the mountains around Asheville, NC, for more than three decades. A major draw is the Penland School of Crafts, about 45 miles northeast of Asheville. Penland offers superb training in a new 5500 square foot glass studio. Beginners can study with internationally known artists in a collegial environment, using state-of-the-art equipment.
Established professionals have been known to come down for a glass course, just out of curiosity, never to return to their day jobs. Soon, they’ve built their own studios and are teaching at Penland. Also contributing to the regional "glass explosion" is the presence, since the mid-70s, of Harvey Littleton. Known as the father of the studio glass movement, Harvey moved to nearby Spruce Pine after retiring from the University of Wisconsin. His visiting students, friends, and colleagues spread the word about the unique glass art community that was evolving in these mountains. Littleton's son John and his wife Kate Vogel were among the first wave of new artists in the area. Now, it seems like a new glass artist arrives or emerges here almost weekly.