2009 Corning, NY

Glass Art Society 39th Annual Conference: Local Inspiration, Global Innovation

Corning, New York
June 11-13, 2009

For more than 150 years, Corning, New York, has been an important center for glassmaking artistry, innovation, and research. Through the programs and collection of The Corning Museum of Glass and the work of artists in the local community, Corning continues to be a profound influence on the world of glass art. Whether you are an artist, collector, scholar, student or educator, don't miss the return of the GAS conference to Corning in 2009, where you'll have an opportunity to inspire and be inspired by others, and to participate in shaping the future of glass.

Thank you for a wonderful and successful conference in Corning, NY!

Were you a conference attendee? Please complete the online 2009 Corning GAS Conference Evaluation

Please visit the Glass Art Society Facebook page to see pictures from the Corning conference.
Check out links to all the great press we received on the conference by going to our Press page.

Corning Conference Wrap Up:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Pamela Koss, Executive Director
206-382-1305, info@glassart.org

GAS CONCLUDES THEIR 2009 CONFERENCE IN CORNING, NY

Corning, NY – On June 11 – 13, 2009, the city of Corning, NY welcomed glass artists, collectors and enthusiasts for the 39th annual Glass Art Society conference. More than 1400 GAS members from over 30 different countries attended the conference to hear lectures, see demonstrations, visit Technical Display booths, network and make connections with friends, both old and new.

The conference featured lectures and demonstrations at the Corning Museum of Glass, as well as throughout the Corning community. Lectures were held in the mornings, as had been done at the previous two GAS conferences, with demonstrations occurring in the afternoon.

The Opening Ceremony was held at the Corning Museum of Glass Auditorium and featured the Lifetime Achievement Award being awarded to Marvin Lipofsky, a founding member of the Glass Art Society and glass pioneer, and the Lifetime Membership Award being awarded to John Leighton, former board member of GAS and glass educator. This year’s Keynote Address was given by Tim MacFarlane, who helped to forge new ground in the use of structural glass in architecture.

Corning’s community embraced the conference and its attendees while hosting events such as the Opening Reception at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, An Evening in the Gaffer District – which featured wine and beer tasting from some of the local Finger Lake region’s wineries and microbreweries, and the Closing Night Party, 2300º For GAS Attendees which was held at the CMoG Auditorium. 171 Cedar Arts Center opened its doors to host the International Student Exhibition and Goblet Grab, as well as many local storefronts showcased local and international glass artists throughout Corning’s downtown.

Additionally, Corning Community College welcomed guests to view their newly built wood burning furnace on Thursday evening after An Evening in the Gaffer District. Demonstrated by Fred Herbst, Associate Professor of Art at Corning Community College and Steve Gibbs, Manager of Hot Glass Programs at CMoG, the outdoor wood-fired oven was used to simultaneously melt glass and fire ceramic objects.

This year’s annual auction once again proved successful with both a live auction - which raised more than $40,000 for GAS - and a silent auction taking place throughout the evening. GAS was pleased to have many artists contribute to the auction, including Cesare Toffolo, Kathleen Elliott, Robert Mickelsen, Vittorio Costantini and more.

GAS wishes to thank this year’s conference co-chairs Rob Cassetti, Nancy Earley, and Marshall Hyde for their tremendous efforts. Additional thanks go to The Corning Museum of Glass, which was generous in providing space for many of the conference demonstrations and lecture, as well as The Palace Theatre, the Radisson Hotel and Corning Incorporated, which hosted lectures and events throughout the conference.

GAS would also like to thank the 39th annual conference sponsors – The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning Incorporated Foundation, Corning Incorporated, and the National Endowment for the Arts, without whose help the conference would not have been possible.

The Glass Art Society’s 40th annual conference will be held June 10 – 12, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. Updates will be posted on the GAS website at www.glassart.org.

Corning's Gaffer District and the City of Corning businesses express their thanks:

July 8, 2009

Pamela Figenshow Koss
Executive Director
Glass Art Society
6512 23rd Ave NW
Suite 329
Seattle, WA 98117

Dear Pam,

I am writing on behalf of Corning’s Gaffer District businesses and the city of
Corning to express our deep appreciation for the opportunity to host your annual
conference.

It is nearly a month after your visit and everyone is still in a state of pure delight
in response to hosting GAS 2009 in our city. From the moment the planning
team went into motion we knew from history it was going to be an enormous
undertaking. Everyone involved on the Corning/GAS Conference Planning Team
was passionately committed to producing an experience that would surpass your
previous visits to Corning.

Many of us had never experienced a GAS conference any place, let alone in our
city. It seems that regardless of an individual’s level of personal experience with
the GAS conference, you managed to give our city a big dose of joy!

In these current economic times it isn’t often that there is a reason for unanimous
appreciation and excitement. However your visit caused exactly that effect and
we are very anxious to welcome you back!!!!!!!

Thank you for the wonderful experience it was to host you all, please come back
soon. There’s no need to wait for the next annual conference in Corning, NY our
welcome mat is rolled out all year long and each of you have an open invitation
to visit us!!!!

Our very best to you all!
Corning’s Gaffer District and City of Corning, NY businesses