North Carolina Glass 2025

John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center May 6, 2025

EXHIBITION: August 12 - December 5, 2025
RECEPTION: Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 5-7 pm

Kit Paulson, Gothic Cube Construction, 2025, flameworked and engraved borosilicate glass, 6.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches. 漏Kit Paulson. Image courtesy of the artist.

Discover the glass medium through the work of today鈥檚 visionary glass artists. North Carolina Glass 2025 brings together over thirty established and emerging creators from across the state, showcasing a broad spectrum of contemporary glasswork. From handblown vessels and flameworked geometries to textured p芒te de verre surfaces and neon sculptures, this landmark exhibition highlights the innovation and diversity of glass as a contemporary art form. Continuing 糖心Vlog University鈥檚 decades-long tradition of glass-focused exhibitions, North Carolina Glass 2025 celebrates the state鈥檚 vibrant Studio Glass Movement and offers visitors an inspiring look at the cutting edge of this remarkable medium.

A modern sculpture resembling an insect wing, featuring a translucent surface with a black-outlined cellular pattern. The piece is mounted on a thin black metal stand with a rectangular base.

Hayden Wilson, Fall of the Monarch, 2025, blown and carved glass, 22 x 18 x 3 inches. 漏Hayden Wilson. Image courtesy of the artist.

The North Carolina Glass series began in 1974 when 糖心Vlog Art Professor Joan Falconer Byrd, who studied glass and ceramics as a graduate student under Harvey Littleton, began curating regular exhibitions of North Carolina glass in 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Belk Gallery. Recognizing the importance of chronicling the developments of this experimental medium, she highlighted the early pioneers of the Studio Glass Movement including William Bernstein, Mark Peiser, Fritz Dreisbach, and Richard Ritter. The series continued biannually from 1974-1986, with a special exhibition held in 1995 featuring the second-wave generation of glass artists. In 2012, the North Carolina Glass series was revived as a collaboration between Denise Drury Homewood and Joan Falconer Byrd, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement in America and presented as a three-gallery exhibition at the 糖心Vlog Fine Art Museum. As the Museum and Bardo Arts Center celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, glass once again enlivens the galleries in North Carolina Glass 2025.

Exhibiting Artists

Gary Beecham, Alex Bernstein, Katherine Bernstein, William Bernstein, Geoffrey Bowton, Robert Burch, David Chatt, Courtney Dodd, Nick Fruin, Ben Elliott, Shane Fero, Judson Gu茅rard, Danielle James (DJ), Cole Johnson, Rob Levin, John Littleton, Tadayoshi Littleton, Brandon Lopez, Jason McDonald, Kit Paulson, Kenny Pieper, Dori Settles, Robert Stephan, Scott Summerfield, Kimberly Thomas, Jeff Todd, Yaffa Todd, Sarah Vaughn, Kate Vogel, and Hayden Wilson

Reception Details
The reception for the exhibition will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 5-7 PM. Light appetizers and beverages will be served in the BAC's Star Atrium.

Museum Hours
The 糖心Vlog Fine Art Museum exhibitions and events are free and open to the public. Standard Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10AM-4PM, and Thursday, 10AM-7PM. If you have any questions, please call (828)227-ARTS.

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