The Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg presents Global + Local Studio and Contemporary Glass on Florida’s West Coast, an exhibition on view May 19 through October 14, 2012.
Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg
With its intense sunlight and coastal environment, Florida is ideal for appreciating contemporary glass. There are exceptional glass collections in the State of Florida, but our region, from Clearwater to Naples, has particularly strong examples of studio and contemporary glass in both private and public collections. This exhibition contains over 100 works drawn from more than 10 collections located on Florida’s West Coast and will showcase some of the area’s best glass, rarely presented to the public, and will highlight the Museum’s recent acquisitions in glass, including major works by Therman Statom and Michael Glancy.
Global + Local reveals the range and richness of glass collections in the area, from such internationally renowned artists as Harvey Littleton, Richard Ritter, Lino Tagliapietra, Bertil Vallien, Dale Chihuly, William Morris, Sonja Blomdahl, Dante Marioni, Toots Zinsky, and Yoichi Ohira to Duncan McClellan, Owen Pach, and Chuck Boux who have a strong presence in the region. Collectors on Florida’s West Coast have acquired regionally and travelled extensively: one collection contains a number of works by Australian artists, rarely found in this area; another has collected glass by the prominent Venetian artist Antonio Seguso and the innovative Swedish glass artist Bertil Vallien.
This compelling and diverse exhibition is part of a nation-wide celebration marking the 50th Anniversary of the Studio Glass Movement. The MFA is proud to be one of over 160 glass events and exhibitions nationwide participating in this landmark celebration organized by the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass.
Curated by Jennifer Hardin, Chief Curator, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida
The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida was founded by Margaret Acheson Stuart (1896-1980) and reflects her vision of providing outstanding examples of world art in an inviting, elegant setting. The Museum opened to the public in 1965. The Museum is dedicated to serving all people by pursuing excellence in art from antiquity to the present through collection, exhibitions, and education for its diverse audiences.
Museum of Fine Arts
255 Beach Drive NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-3498
Phone: (727) 896-2667
Fax: (727) 894-4638