Contemporary Art Glass

Divergent Visions: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of American Studio Glass

June 7, 2012 – August 31, 2012

The Bender Gallery is pleased to host the exhibition "Divergent Visions: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of American Studio Glass". This exhibition celebrates the diversity of glass as an artistic medium since the inception of the American Studio Glass Movement in 1962. New works made expressly for the exhibition along with work never before shown by thirty two regional and national as well as Canadian glass artists will be on display. The exhibition will remain open during regular gallery hours through Friday August 31, 2012. The Bender Gallery is the only gallery in the Asheville area dedicated exclusively to studio art glass and houses the regions' largest glass art collection. "Divergent Visions" will showcase the various techniques of glass art inspired by each individual artist's unique vision and interpretation. There will be an extensive variety of contemporary art glass on exhibit including delicate flame-worked sculpture; tactile kiln cast glass, hot formed glass pieces, gauzy pate de verre and glass "painting" with vitreous enamel. Also on display will be impressive examples of sleek polished cut and assembled crystal sculptures. Not to be missed will be the more recognized forms of blown and fused glass. Showcased artists include Wendy Saxon Brown's figurative glass relief and kiln cast sculptures of the human form and Carole Perry's hand manipulated cane glass tapestries reminiscent of ribbons of hard candy. New to the gallery is the work of up and coming Canadian artist Stephen Pon. Stephen's cast sculptures invoke images of ancestral journeys. Also new to the gallery is the work of renowned artist Janis Miltenberger with her organic and sizable flame-worked glass sculptures.

The American Studio Glass Movement, which began in the early 1960s, is a relatively new development in the history of glass as an artistic medium. Prior to the movement, glass was made only in large scale industrial settings. American studio glass differs from factory glass in that the individual artist (either alone or in a small team) completes all aspects of the creation of a piece, from design through signature. Most studio glass artists will make fewer pieces in their lifetimes than factories like Baccarat or Waterford will make in one day. In 1962, Harvey Littleton, professor of art at the University of Wisconsin, and Dominick Labino presented a glass workshop in conjunction with the Toledo Museum of Art. These men are recognized internationally as the "fathers" of the American Studio Glass Movement.

The Bender Gallery is located at 12 S Lexington Avenue in Asheville, North Carolina next door to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. There is a garage on nearby Biltmore Avenue as well as street parking. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 am - 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm - 5 pm. For inquiries call 828-505-8341 or e-mail
miles@thebendergallery.com