Press Releases 2008


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Treasures From The Collection

CONTACT: Janet Peterson, Marketing and Public Relations Director

TEL: (856) 825-6800, Ext. 108

FAX: (856) 825-2410

E-MAIL: jpeterson@wheatonarts.org


THE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN GLASS AT WHEATONARTS PRESENTS NEW EXHIBITION “TREASURES FROM THE COLLECTION”

 

MILLVILLE, NJ - Since the founding of the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village (now known as Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center) 35 years ago, the museum’s collection has steadily grown to the current number of 15,000 pieces of American glass. This year’s major exhibition, “Treasures From The Collection: Museum of American Glass,” celebrates years of collecting and focuses on the most significant 125 pieces in the collection. The exhibition opens April 5 and continues through January 3, 2010.

 

The examples range from an 18th century storage glass jar attributed to the Wistarburgh Glass Works in Alloway, NJ, the first successful glass factory in America, to pieces of contemporary studio glass. The treasures were chosen not only for their appearance and craftsmanship but also for their historical importance in telling the story of glass manufacture in the United States from the early factories, to art nouveau and luxury glass, to the 20th century Studio Glass movement.

 

Highlights from the exhibition include: the James Lee Pitcher probably from the James Lee Glass Works, Millville, NJ, or James Lee Glass Works, Port Elizabeth, NJ, 1808-1809; a pair of goblets made for Bathsheba Wheaton at the Whitall Tatum Co., Millville, NJ, c. 1900 (Bathsheba was the wife of Theodore Corson Wheaton, founder of the T. C. Wheaton Glass Company in Millville); the Millville Rose paperweight attributed to Ralph Barber, Millville, NJ, c. 1905 (Barber is credited with making the finest Millville Rose paperweights); an Intarsia vase made by Janne “Johnny” Janson (also spelled Jansson), Steuben Glass Works, Corning, NY, late 1920s to early 1930s. (Intarsia was one of the most difficult types of glass produced at Steuben and only about 30 examples were ever completed.); the 1956 Lily Pad Pitcher (one of the first American glass reproductions made for a museum); a 1965 vase created by Harvey Littleton (the piece illustrates the simplicity and difficulties the early studio artists faced as they learned to blow glass and develop quality glass formulas and equipment); “Macchia” created by world renown artist Dale Chihuly and his team at Wheaton Village in 1989; and contemporary pieces created by past Creative Glass Center of America Fellows such as Mary Van Cline, Hiroshi Yamano, Thurman Statom and Richard Marquis.

 

The Museum of American Glass has one of the most comprehensive collections of American glass in the world. Over 7,000 objects are on display ranging from America’s first glass bottles to works by Dale Chihuly and other contemporary artists who work in glass. Changing exhibits are installed annually and they are recognized worldwide for their scholarly achievements and visual appeal.

 

The Museum of American Glass, Down Jersey Folklife Center, Craft Studios and museum stores are included in the price of admission to WheatonArts. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April through December. Admission: $10.00 Adults, $9.00 Senior Adults and $7.00 Students. Children five and under are free. Free to shop and stroll except during outside special events. For more information, call

800-998-4552 or 856-825-6800, or visit www.wheatonarts.org. 


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.

 

Special funding for this exhibition has been provided by the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. General funding for the Museum and its programs has been made possible in part by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. WheatonArts received a general operating grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission and additional funding has been received by the New Jersey Cultural Trust and the New Jersey Division of Tourism, Department of State.

 

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