The Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina have long been associated with the art of glass, and for years Asheville’s creative magnetism has drawn in masterful glass blowers, makers, and artists.
From May through October 2018 – coinciding with a new exhibition at Biltmore of multi-media artist Dale Chihuly’s monumental glass sculptures — the community will celebrate both the historical and contemporary context of glass and its talented artists in Western North Carolina.
The Summer of Glass kick-off weekend begins with the Downtown Asheville Art District’s First Friday Art Walk on Friday, June 1st, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Several galleries and museums, including Ariel Gallery, Asheville Art Museum, aSHEville Museum, Bender Gallery, Blue Spiral 1, Contemporaneo, and Lexington Glassworks, are hosting special glass exhibitions and displays in conjunction with the Summer of Glass. Take a self-guided tour through downtown and visit these special exhibitions and experience an evening filled with celebration at each one!
The Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition will be at the estate through October 7th. The exhibit will be on display in the Winter Garden of Biltmore House and the Estate’s stunning gardens. For the first time, Biltmore will also host an evening experience in the gardens offering views of the sculptures after dark each Thursday through Sunday night.
Alongside the Chihuly exhibition, the Asheville and regional glass community offer its own community-wide celebration of glass through special local exhibitions, tours, workshops and events. Demonstrations of glass blowing, glass jewelry making, stained glass, enameling and working with glass beads will occur in artists’ studios, galleries and other locations across the city and surrounding region.
Please visit www.summerofglass.com for additional information.
(Copy partially provided by Summer of Glass event organizers.)