In the second half of the 19th century, a revolutionary change occurredin the world of glass when artists and architects —not traditionally practitioners of the material — became designers of glass art pieces. Although not makers, they formed a symbiotic connection with those who were. With this relationship in mind, Museum of Glass took the next step and asked: “Who else can be a designer?”
The idea took shape, and Kids Design Glass was born. Over the last twenty years, Museum of Glass has solicited drawings from children 12 and under. The prompt is simple: “Draw your idea for something you would like to see made from glass.” Kids are encouraged to stretch their imaginations and put their creativity on display. No idea is too abstract.
Periodically, the Hot Shop Team chooses one design to produce to the child designer’s exact specifications. The young artist is then invited to watch in the Hot Shop and direct the Museum’s resident glassblowers as they bring the concept to life. The child is an integral part of the process, interacting with the Hot Shop Team in real time to ensure precise interpretation of every element of the drawing. Two works are made: one for the Museum’s Kids Design Glass Collection and one for the child to take home.
Over the years, the Museum has made over 170 pieces and, in the process, transformed lives. Families of the participants have spoken of the confidence and excitement that the program provided their children. The creation of a sculpture based on the child’s ideas gives physicality to their art, brings their visions to life, and encourages them to continue to explore new ways to be creative. For the viewer, Kids Design Glass pieces allow us to see the world through children’s eyes with
wonder, joy, perplexity, and hope.
The collaboration between the Museum glassblowers and the young designers captures the intersection of each child’s dreams and their life experiences. The whimsical sketches are often extraordinarily difficult to create with glass, and the Hot Shop Team relishes the challenge of being pushed into uncharted territories. They stretch to interpret the nuances of a non-glass designer who is not restrained by the knowledge of traditional techniques.
We hope you will visit this new exhibition and help us celebrate 20 years of this life-changing program. What will Kids Design Glass participants dream up over the next 20 years?
For Additional Information
Museum of Glass
museumofglass.org
BY LYNN CASTLE