The ceremonial cutting of a ribbon crafted from molten glass marked the long-awaited opening of The Studio at The Corning Museum of Glass in New York. The $55.3 million expansion establishes North America’s only facility equipped to produce large-scale cast glass works.
The upgrade expands educational offerings in glassmaking and creates opportunities for extended residencies for both emerging and established artists. The enhanced facility also roughly doubles the number of visitors who can participate in the museum’s Make Your Own Glass program.
© Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass
“The Corning Museum of Glass is the world’s foremost authority in the art, history and science of glass,” said Karol Wright, president and executive director of CMoG. “With the on-time, on-budget completion of the Studio’s expansion, we are now the international comprehensive center for artists and students working with glass.”
The new James Flaws & Marcia Weber Casting Center spans 5,000 square feet and will open in early 2025. The facility will support large-scale casting projects and serve as a hub for collaborative work and experimentation. Acclaimed contemporary artist Karen LaMonte is scheduled to be the first resident artist to work in the new casting center.
Applications are open for The Studio’s Glassmaking Institute, which will deliver expert-led, small-group instruction in furnace glassblowing, flameworking, kiln work and cold working. These programs are designed to serve a range of skill levels, from newcomers seeking hands-on experience to experienced artists pursuing advanced techniques.
© Courtesy of Corning Museum of Glass
“The Studio’s successful expansion is a testament to the power of glass as a medium for contemporary art making and the appeal it holds for established, emerging and potential glassmakers eager to find an environment that supports their practice,” said Amy Schwartz, director of The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass. “As the founding director, I am proud and gratified to see The Studio’s vision for a vibrant artistic and educational community realized beyond our wildest initial dreams nearly three decades ago.”
With the expanded facilities, The Corning Museum of Glass can offer a broader range of learning experiences and deeper engagement for visitors and artists alike. The new casting center and institute strengthen the museum’s role as a major center for glass education, research and contemporary practice, and position it to support ambitious projects that push the boundaries of glass art.