Press Releases 2007

Paul Stankard Launches New Book at WheatonArts

CONTACT: Janet Peterson, Marketing and Public Relations
Director
TEL: (856) 825-6800, Ext. 108
FAX: (856) 825-2410
E-MAIL: jpeterson@wheatonarts.org

PAUL J. STANKARD, WORLD’S LEADING GLASS PAPERWEIGHT ARTIST, SELECTS WHEATONARTS TO LAUNCH NEW BOOK

MILLVILLE, NJ – World renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, Chihuly Studio, Seattle, WA, said, “Paul Stankard is the greatest and most interesting paperweight maker that ever lived!” Stankard is recognized as one of the world’s master glass artists, and is particularly renowned and respected for his flameworked floral motifs expressed in crystal paperweights, rectangular columns and orbs. He will launch his new autobiography, No Green Berries or Leaves—The Creative Journey of an Artist in Glass, at the opening of the “Paul Stankard and Stankard Studio Exhibition” in The Gallery of Fine Craft at WheatonArts on September 15. A book signing is scheduled. In addition, Stankard and the Stankard Studio artists will demonstrate their techniques in the Glass Studio at 1:30 p.m.

The book is a collection of autobiographical essays. It presents the author’s record of his life as a struggling, then highly successful, artist; reveals insights into the challenges he faced as a dyslexic and how he came to understand, then circumvent, his disability; and records his perspectives on the history of the studio glass movement in America as he witnessed and experienced it during the past 45 years. In the foreword written by Virginia Eichhorn, curator of the Canadian Clay and Glass Museum in Waterloo, Ontario, Stankard’s writing is described as “a lovely read in which one can easily hear the echoes of Irish storytellers from generations past in the gentle cadence of [his] writing style.”

Dwight P. Lanmon, Winterthur Museum Garden and Library director and former director of The Corning Museum of Glass states, "Paul Stankard has established the standard by which we judge contemporary paperweight art. His creativity in producing the lampworked elements goes far beyond simply evoking nature realistically; his work evidences originality, whimsy and poetic vision—in addition to technical mastery—which places him in a class by himself."

This book will be of value to readers interested in the life of a major American artist and the history of the glass art movement in America, as well as to those looking for an inspirational story of how, in one man, the human spirit faced, addressed and outwitted a learning disability and climbed the steep road to success to become a master artist in glass.

Stankard’s work is exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Museum of American Glass at WheatonArts; the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City; Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, NY; the National Museum of American Art & Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Toledo Museum of Art; Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto; Victoria & Albert Museum in London; Museum of Decorative Arts, the Louvre in Paris; Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art in Sapporo, Japan; GlasMuseum in Ebeltoft, Denmark; National Museum of Scotland; Suwa Museum in Toyoda, Japan; Tittot Glass Art Museum in Taiwan; and dozens more.

The book is published by McDonald & Woodwood Publishing Company located in Granville, Ohio.  It is available in both softcover for $29.95 and hardcover for $39.95. A complete description of the book, along with sample pages and a brief biography of the author, can be found at www.mwpubco.com/PaulStankard.htm.

The schedule for September 15 at WheatonArts:

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.    

          Book Signing

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.                

          Paul Stankard and Stankard Studio Artists Demonstrate in the Glass Studio

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.                 

          Book Signing

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.                 

          Reception in the Gallery of Fine Craft, Book Signing and Gallery Walk. Light refreshments will be available.

The book signing and reception are free and open to the public. A ticket is required to attend the Glass Studio demonstration. Admission: $10.00 Adults, $9.00 Senior Adults, and $7.00 Students. Children five and under are free. For more information, call WheatonArts at 800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800 or visit www.wheatonarts.org.

The “Paul Stankard and Stankard Studio Exhibition” in The Gallery of Fine Craft features new works by Stankard and Stankard Studio artists David Graeber, Katherine Stankard Campbell, Christine Stankard Kressley and Pauline Stankard Iacovino. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show closes October 21. An admission ticket is not required to view the exhibition.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Provide two weeks notice for special accommodations. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center receives general operating support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the New Jersey Historical Commission. Additional 2007 funding has been provided by a Cooperative Marketing Grant from the New Jersey Economic Growth Commission/Office of Travel and Tourism, the New Jersey Cultural Trust, the National Endowment for the Arts and numerous corporate, public, foundation and individuals supporters.

Press Release Contact Information

Sign up for the Wheaton Journal