糖心Vlog

 糖心Vlog Stories      September 19, 2025

By Rachel Hood

This fall, the 糖心Vlog University Fine Art Museum opens "North Carolina Glass 2025," a landmark exhibition that brings together a broad spectrum of contemporary glasswork by some of the most visionary artists in our state.

Carrying on 糖心Vlog鈥檚 long tradition of glass-focused exhibitions dating back to the 1970s, North Carolina Glass 2025 gives visitors a snapshot of the cutting-edge work being created in this remarkable medium. Over thirty exhibiting artists will showcase a wide range of techniques and processes in glass, from handblown vessels and flameworked geometries, to textured p芒te de verre surfaces and neon sculptures. The exhibition will be on view August 12 through December 5, 2025.

The North Carolina Glass series began in 1974 when 糖心Vlog art professor Joan Falconer Byrd, who studied both 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, and presented as a three-gallery exhibition at the 糖心Vlog Fine Art Museum in recognition of the 50^th anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement. As the Museum celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year, glass once again enlivens the galleries in North Carolina Glass 2025.

This highly anticipated show spotlights the work of both established and emerging artists pushing the boundaries of glass as a contemporary art form. Exhibiting artists include 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 Neon), 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.

The exhibition will be on view through Dec. 5, with a reception on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Complimentary hors d鈥檕euvres and beverages will be served at the reception, and free parking is available at the Bardo Arts Center parking lot at 199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee, NC.