Toledo is the birthplace of the Studio Glass Movement in 1962 and home to both traditional craft and contemporary art practices. The material lends itself to a variety of approaches ranging from functional stemware to large scale sculptural installation. Arts and Industry are coming back together in recent years with new applications in float glass and technology to inform contemporary arts explorations.
Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion
Momentum Intersection
Copper Moon Studio
Gathered Glassblowing Studio
Firenation Glass Studio
Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion
Opened in 2006, the postmodern Glass Pavilion received Travel + Leisure’s 2007 Design Award for Best Museum. The building was designed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, lead architects of SANAA (Sejima and Nishizawa and Associates), a Tokyo-based firm known for designing attractive and functional museums that relate well to their sites, and for using architectural glass with extraordinary skill. SANAA won the 2010 Pritzker architecture award for its superior designs.
The exterior and many of the interior walls of the Pavilion are made entirely of glass. The roof and interior structural supports are made of steel. Each of the more than 360 panels—many of them curved—that make up the glass walls measures approximately 8 feet wide by 13 ½ feet high, and weighs 1,300 to 1,500 pounds.
The Glass Pavilion’s 74,000 square feet contains a main floor and full basement. Elegantly simple in appearance but complex in organization, it uses no architectural ornament and is forthright in the display of high-tech modern materials. Essential features include a squarish, asymmetrical plan with rounded corners, low profile capped by a flat roof, clean lines, and pure forms. Learn More at toledomuseum.org
Momentum | Intersection
Momentum Intersection is a collaboration of industry, design, and art that is part of the Momentum Festival. Inspired by the studio glass movement, The Arts Commission seeks to provide new collaborations between applications of glass as an artistic medium and manufacturing processes. The program is a partnership with NSG, Pilkington North America. Launched in 2018, each year up to three creative individuals are invited to reimagine the potential of Pilkington float glass through the creation of newly developed works. Learn More >
Copper Moon Studio & Gallery
Copper Moon Studio is located in Holland, OH and was opened in 2006 by Stacy Owen. The studio features a spacious gallery to showcase the plethora of fused glass designs and techniques created by Owen and her creative team. Copper Moon is one of the largest fusing glass facilities in the state housing six kilns, 70+ colors of glass, while offering custom designs and fused glass classes for children and adults. The studio prides themselves on a fun, relaxed atmosphere with an appreciation for creativity. Learn More >
Gathered Glassblowing Studio
Gathered Glassblowing Studio specializes in handmade functional objects for everyday enjoyment, and custom site-specific glass installations. The studio is located in the heart of the Historic Toledo Warehouse District and features a hot shop, artist studios, retail space, and is open to the public. Visit them Wednesday - Saturday from 12 PM - 4 PM or by appointment. Learn More >
Firenation Glass Studio and Gallery
was founded in 2002 by Matthew Paskiet and is located in Holland, OH. The team at Firenation create one-of-a-kind pieces, offer Glass-Making Experiences, host open houses, and feature glass blowing demonstrations at local events with their mobile hot shop. Learn More >
