Risk + Discovery: Glass Innovation at CIA

“False Color Light Path” by Benjamin Johnson

Even before the start of the studio glass movement in the 1960s, glass was a material that captivated artists at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Notable CIA alum Clara Driscoll went on to become a renowned glass designer for Tiffany Studios in the late 19th century, and celebrated Cleveland School artist Edris Eckhardt was creating glass sculptures and started experimenting with fusing glass with gold leaf and bronze in the 1940s.

Glass established its roots at CIA in the early 1970s, becoming officially listed as a department in course catalogs in 1973. The program was chaired by its founder, Brent Kee Young, for 41 years. Young influenced generations of glass artists during his tenure and remains one of the most acclaimed artists working in the medium today.

Fifty years after the program’s humble beginnings, Risk + Discovery: Glass Innovation at CIA aims to celebrate glass in all its forms, drawing connections to the unique learning environment of the College and its influence on the creative vocabulary of the region and beyond. The exhibition will feature work by makers working in glass or whose creative practice was influenced by the program’s pedagogy, including current and former CIA faculty, technical specialists, alumni and students.

Risk + Discovery: Glass Innovation at CIA will be on view through Friday, June 16. Click here for gallery hours and parking options. Extended gallery hours will be available on Friday, May 12, until 9pm.

Participating artists

Sylvia Altman ’24
Herb Babcock ’69
William Carlson ’73
David Clancy
Jennifer Clancy ’95
Elizabeth Clarke ’23
Brent Cole ’92
Nate Cotterman ’07
Rene Culler ’92
Edris Eckhardt ’31
Jordan Fine ’13
Zachary Gorell
Scott Goss ’06
Amanda Greiner ’22
Suzanne Head ’16
Eric Hernandez ’12
Adam Holtzinger ’03
Earl O. James ’88
Benjamin Johnson
Sarah Kemp ’23
Chadd Lacy
Brent Marshall ’83
Michael Mikula ’87
Michael Mentz ’18
Shawn Messenger ’79
John Nickerson
Annie O’Brien ’25
Crystal Palka ’23
Kiara Pelisser ’00
Kimberly Petro ’89
Gillian Preston ’09
Steven Ramsey ’83
Vivian Rapp ’23
Ross Richmond ’94
Susan Spiranovich ’03
Andy Stenerson ’83
Maia Stern ’15
Mark Sudduth ’83
Alicia Telzerow ’20
Thaddeus Wolfe ’02
Brent Kee Young
Joseph Zeller
Alyssa Ziemba ’17
Linda Zmina ’89

Risk + Discovery: Glass Innovation at CIA opened on Thursday April 6 from 6 to 8pm in Reinberger Gallery. Live outdoor glassblowing by Hot Spot Glassworks, led by CIA Glass Studio Technician Zac Gorell, took place until 7pm during the reception. In addition, the CIA Glass Guild will open its student market, which will remain open for the duration of the exhibition.

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