Amber Cowan | Alchemy of Adornment
April 1 through December 31, 2023
Alchemy of Adornment invited visitors to revel in the enchanting worlds of Philadelphia-based artist and educator Amber Cowan. Using the centuries-old techniques of glassblowing and flameworking, Cowan transforms American-pressed glass into exuberantly adorned diorama-like wall installations and free-standing sculptures. Her lush assemblages lure the viewer into fanciful narratives rich with symbolism and themes of transformation, femininity, and nostalgia.
An Intimate Journey with Nature | Paul Joseph Stankard – Celebrating 80 Years
May 17 through July 30, 2023
Paul Joseph Stankard’s life has been a spiritual journey guided by poetry and an intimate relationship with nature. Hairy bees with transparent wings, ripe summer blueberries, and dirt-encrusted bulbs—all are personal memories preserved for future generations to contemplate. This special pop-up exhibit documented the first 20 years of Stankard’s career, featuring work from the artist’s personal collection and some of his chosen favorites from recent decades.
Collecting & Connecting: Recent Acquisitions
April 1 through December 31, 2022
This expansive exhibition, curated by Brooklyn artist Benjamin Wright, featured over 20 contemporary artists whose work was inspired by science. The artwork on display allowed visitors to explore the role of creativity endemic to both science and art, while showcasing glass as a medium that provides a challenge to their perceived divide. At every turn, glass materially magnifies, distorts and illuminates our transdisciplinary world of wonder.
Emanation 2019
April 2, 2019 though December 31, 2019
Emanation 2019 was the third exhibition of contemporary art featuring new works developed and created by artists invited to utilize the resources and facilities at WheatonArts for experiment based exploration. The results were displayed with an emphasis on each artist’s creative process. As the site of creation, as well as the site of exhibition and related education programs, WheatonArts facilitates collaboration and partnerships with artists in a creative sanctuary that enables new ideas to emanate forth.
Symbiotic Spheres: The Interlocking Worlds of Glass, Science and Art
April 3, 2018 through December 30, 2018
This expansive exhibition, curated by Brooklyn artist Benjamin Wright, featured over 20 contemporary artists whose work was inspired by science. The artwork on display allowed visitors to explore the role of creativity endemic to both science and art, while showcasing glass as a medium that provides a challenge to their perceived divide. At every turn, glass materially magnifies, distorts and illuminates our transdisciplinary world of wonder.
Beauty Beyond Nature: The Glass Art of Paul Stankard
April 3, 2018 through December 30, 2018
This exhibition, organized by the Robert M. Minkoff Foundation and guest curated by Andrew Page for the Robert M. Minkoff Foundation, celebrated the botanical sculptures of American master artist, Paul Stankard. Stankard’s accomplishments came to life in this remarkable exhibition drawn from the definitive collection of Robert Minkoff, showcasing Stankard’s evolution and major developments from his first attempts at a paperweight to his most complex assemblages.
Emanation 2017: An Invitational Contemporary Art Exhibit
June 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017
Emanation 2017 was a contemporary art exhibit featuring new works developed and created by artists invited to utilize the resources and facilities at WheatonArts for experiment based exploration. The results were displayed with an emphasis on each artist’s creative process. As the site of creation, as well as the site of exhibition and related education programs, WheatonArts facilitated collaboration and partnerships with the artists in a creative sanctuary that enabled new ideas to emanate forth. Exhibiting Artists: Emily Brown, Flock the Optic, Vanessa German, Michael Joo, Lorna Simpson, Therman Statom and Matthew Szösz.
The Boroff Collection: Goblets, Memories and Friendships
April 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017
The Boroff Collection: Goblets, Memories, and Friendships shared the passion of contemporary glass art goblet collectors, Barbara and Alan Boroff. Through the display of a curated selection of goblets from their collection this exhibit told the story of their journey as collectors, illustrated their style, and exemplified their connection to and respect for the artists.
“My feeling about goblets? They’re like potato chips. Seriously. I feel that if you start somebody with a goblet, it’s very easy to buy another one.” – Barbara Boroff
From the Ground Up: Archaeology | Artisans | Everyday Life
April 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016
An exhibition in partnership with AECOM-Burlington. This was the first major exhibition of artifacts recovered from excavations along I-95 in Philadelphia. Numbering nearly a million thus far, the artifacts reveal over five thousand years of history. Those who visited were able to experience the archaeologists’ excitement as they explored the exhibition and discovered evidence of early Native Americans, Dyottville Glass Works, nineteenth-century glassworkers and potters, and everyday life in their communities. Focusing on glass and pottery manufacturing— this exhibition told the story of glassworkers and potters who creatively and skillfully took advantage of the resources of the region.
Mine Moonlight: Artists Working in Philadelphia’s River Wards
April 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016
An exhibit of contemporary artworks that spook to the history beneath the feet of artists working in the Riverwards neighborhoods of northern Philadelphia. Exploring the themes of hand craft, functionality, and fragmentation, these 10 installations drew connections to the origins of the artisan community that was seeing a resurgence in Northern Liberties, Kensington-Fishtown, and Port Richmond. The exhibit was in compliment to From the Ground Up: Archaeology, Artisans, Everyday Life, an exhibition in partnership with AECOM-Burlington that explored findings from the archeological investigation being conducted along the expanding I-95 corridor. Curated by Paul Swenbeck. Participating Artists: Kate Abercrombie, Astrid Bowlby, Marley Dawson, Micah Danges, Bridget & Seth Farnack, Richard Harrod, Darla Jackson, Jake Kehs, Andrea Marquis, Paul Swenbeck & Joy Feasley.
Emanation: Art + Process
May 1, 2015 through January 3, 2016, 6300 sq ft
A groundbreaking exhibition that featured work made by contemporary artists invited to utilize the studio and museum resources at WheatonArts to create new work. In keeping with the definition of “Emanation,” an abstract but perceptible thing that issues of originates from a source, the works exhibited were interpreted with an emphasis on the artists’ creative process as well as their shared experience of working with a technical medium such as glass. Participating artists were Mark Dion, Paula Hayes, Carolyn Healy and John Phillips, Donald Lipski, Virgil Marti, Michael Oatman, Judy Pfaff, Jocelyne Prince, Rob Wynne, and Mark Zirpel.
Creativity Ascertained: The Art of the Fellowship
April 1, 2015 through January 3, 2016, 550 sq ft
The exhibit highlighted recent Creative Glass Center of America Fellows who used their time to explore their craft, the medium and personal expression in refreshing and provocative ways. Sketches, prototypes and other evidence of each featured fellow’s creative process showed how WheatonArts, Fellowship host, is a haven for experimentation. Participating artists were Megan Biddle, Deborah Czeresko, Chris Duffy, Karin Forslund, Max Grossman, Brett Swenson, Bryan McGovern Wilson, Celeste Wilson, Chris Wolston, and Ben Wright.
NJ350: Through the Lens of Glass
April 1, 2014 through January 4, 2015, 5500 sq ft
This exhibit, in honor of the state-wide celebration of the 350th anniversary of New Jersey, explored the relationship between glass and South Jersey through use of the renowned collection and archives of the Museum of American Glass, oral histories of local glassmakers, and examples of current glass craft and artistry of artists currently working in the region. The New York Times noted in their review, “Their interest in keeping such traditions alive reinforces the cultural importance of Wheaton.”
Durand: Made In New Jersey
April 1, 2014 through January 4, 2015, 550 sq ft
To celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of this home grown company during New Jersey’s 350th anniversary, WheatonArts is exhibited over 50 pieces of Durand Art Glass. Only in operation from 1924 through 1931, the “fancy shop” at the Vineland Flint Glass Works in Vineland, NJ made an impact on the American glass world with their Durand Art Glass line. Drawing from the same decorative Art Nouveau trends as Tiffany and Quezal, Durand Art Glass had its own style, earning them a gold medal at the Sesquicentennial International Exhibition in 1926.
Wheaton Glass: The Art of the Fellowship
April 1, 2013 through January 5, 2014, 5500 sq ft
In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Creative Glass Center of America’s Fellowship Program this exhibit illustrated the wide variety of contemporary glass art created by this diverse group of international artists. The artists and work chosen for this anniversary exhibition by guest curators Diane Wright and Tina Aufiero, prompted conversations about the legacy of the Fellows, the traditions of glassmaking, and the evolution of both methods and concepts articulated in glass. The show highlighted a wide range of artists from the past decades, acknowledging early studio glassmakers while focusing on the work of more recent fellows.
Celebrating 30: The Creative Glass Center of America Collection at WheatonArts
April 1, 2013 through January 5, 2014, 550 sq ft
Recognizing the needs of emerging contemporary artists working in glass, WheatonArts established the Creative Glass Center of America (CGCA) Fellowship Program in 1983 with a goal “to provide direct support to emerging and mid-career artists who work in glass.” As of this exhibit, three hundred fifty fellowships have been provided. A requirement of accepting a fellowship is to donate a piece to WheatonArts to document the work done while in residence. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the CGCA, this exhibit was organized to showcase some of the work from the CGCA collection by artists featured in Wheaton Glass: The Art of the Fellowship.
Remembering Ginen: Haitian Vodou Bottles, Flags and Vèvè
September 20, 2013 through January 5, 2014, 885 sq ft
This exhibition aimed to inspire understanding and appreciation of Haitian creativity and artistic expressions. Vodou, an official Haitian religion, combines beliefs of African religious practice and Christianity. Vodou arts are integrated into Vodou ceremonies, but the Vodou lwa (spirits) also serve as muses inspiring Haitian artists to create vivid works that relate to universal human values and join us all in a dialogue about the meaning of the past in the present, harmony and balance, life, hope, and possible future. The exhibition’s major focus was on the artworks of the Haitian artist Kesler Pierre. Each of Kesler’s bottles is designed to incorporate the vévé, or symbol, associated with the individual lwa for whom it is intended. Kesler uses paint to present a contemporary artistic vision of the traditional beaded bottles.
