Exploring the history of itinerant glassworkers
Find out more on my website: Gathering A Crowd
For more than 300 years, talented, traveling lampworkers entertained and educated crowds on the art, science, and skill of glassmaking, and the dizzying array of wonders that could be made of glass.
While itinerant glassworkers were known to many during their heyday, they have quickly faded from view. Most contemporary lampworkers (also known as flameworkers) have little to no knowledge of this part of their artistic tradition.
I first encountered these artists during my time at the Rakow Library of The Corning Museum of Glass. The library has perhaps the most complete collection of itinerant glassworker ephemera, photographs, and documents existing today. In my position at the library, I was able to introduce new audiences to this history through exhibitions, tours, blog and social media posts, and reference work. I have continued to add to the scholarly record on this little-known facet of glass history, publishing and presenting in a variety of venues.
Writing
“Glassworking Demonstrations Gain Steam.” Journal of Glass Studies 62 (2020): 281-285.
“Skill! Science! Art! The Fascinating History of Itinerant Glassworkers.” NewsJournal 27 no. 2 (Summer 2020): 3-11.
“A Fair of the Arts: Charles Kaziun and the Howell Family of Itinerant Glassworkers.” Annual Bulletin of the Paperweight Collectors Association, Inc. (2020): 65-71.
“Stepping into the Spotlight: Women Itinerant Glassworkers.” Re/Visionist. December 16, 2019.
Gathering A Crowd, launched June 2019, a website documenting the history of itinerant glassworkers.
“Curiosity Highly Gratified: A Brief History of Itinerant Glassworkers.” Glass Club Bulletin no. 235 (Spring/Summer 2019): 4-9.
“Glass blowing and working in miniature.” Notable Acquisitions 2017. Ed. Richard Price. Corning, NY: Corning Museum of Glass, 2018, 21.
“Gathering a crowd: A look at glassmaking demonstrations of the past.” With Alexandra Ruggiero. Glass Art Society Journal 2017 (2017): 49-51.
“Wonderful mechanism J. Tilley, fancy glass blower, from London.” Notable Acquisitions 2016. Ed. Richard Price. Corning, NY: Corning Museum of Glass, 2017, 16.
“Wonderful Mechanisms: Engaging Audiences with Glass Engines.” GASnews. 28.1 (Spring 2017): 18-19.
“Scott’s splendid glass working exhibition in miniature.” Entry in Notable Acquisitions 2014. Ed. Richard Price. Corning, NY: Corning Museum of Glass, 2015, 25.
Behind the Glass: Itinerant Glassworkers, 2014 – 2017
A series of posts I authored for The Corning Museum of Glass blog. The series includes profiles of glassworkers and troupes; posts about their travel routes and elements of their shows, such as scientific experiments; recent additions to the collection; and how contemporary artists have been inspired by their traditions.
Speaking
“Curiosity Highly Gratified: An Illustrated Lecture on the Most Interesting History of Itinerant Glassworkers.” Keynote speaker, Antique Glass Salt & Sugar Shaker Club 2019 Annual Convention, June 1, 2019.
“Curiosity Highly Gratified: An Illustrated Lecture on the Most Interesting History of Itinerant Glassworkers,” Organizer and speaker, Behind the Glass: The Grand Bohemian Troupe of Fancy Glass Workers, The Corning Museum of Glass, January 10, 2019.
“The Wonderful Mechanisms of Fancy Glass Blowers,” Speaker, Docent Lecture Series, The Corning Museum of Glass, January 11, 2018.
“Gathering a crowd: A look at glassmaking demonstrations of the past,” Speaker, Glass Art Society Annual Conference 2016, June 11, 2016.
More
Curious and Curiouser: Surprising Finds from the Rakow Library, April 2017 – February 2019
An exhibition I curated for the Rakow Research Library of The Corning Museum of Glass. A section of the exhibition features itinerant glassworker ephemera and a modern interpretation of a glass steam engine.
Itinerant glassworkers research guide, 2016
An online guide I created for those interested in learning more about itinerant glassworkers. The guide includes a brief history and resources about the tradition, as well as an overview of the Rakow Library’s itinerant glassworker collections.