Corning, the state of New York city synonymous with glass, will host the annual convention of the American Cut Glass Association on 19 to 22 July 2006. The event, headquartered at the Radisson Hotel C…
Corning, the state of New York city synonymous with glass, will host the annual convention of the American Cut Glass Association on 19 to 22 July 2006. The event, headquartered at the Radisson Hotel Corning, is co-sponsored by the Eastern Finger Lakes Chapter of the association and the Corning Museum of Glass. A major feature of the event is a sale featuring 12 of the nation“s premier cut glass dealers, which will be held at the museum. Lectures and meals will be at the Radisson. The American Cut Glass Association was formed 28-years ago to promote appreciation of and education about American cut glass, which reached its height of popularity late in the 19th century. The theme of the convention, “From the Palaces to the Prairies”, will be carried out with two major exhibitions at the Corning Museum of Glass. The first, “Glass of the Maharajahs”, features major cut glass furnishing pieces made for wealthy Indian families. The second, “Splitting the Rainbow”, features outstanding examples of colored and cased cut glass made in the US and Europe. The exhibitions have been organized by Jane Shadel Spillman, the museum“s curator of American glass. As well as contributions by Ms. Spillman, the convention will feature lectures and conversations involving distinguished researchers including Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk, curator of European glass at the Corning Museum of Glass; Louise Luther, of PBS“s “Antiques Roadshow”; Thomas Dimitroff, author, historian and Carder Steuben glass expert; Max Erlacher, master Steuben glass engraver; Stephen Koob, conservator at the Corning Museum of Glass; and Nick Williams, photographer at the Corning Museum of Glass. Other features of the event are workshops on glass cutting and an opportunity for participants to cut glass, tours of local cut glass sites and tours of the Steuben Factory at the Corning Museum of Glass, while a master silversmith will discuss the restoration of silver-mounted cut glass. The dealers“ show will be open to convention participants and museum visitors on 21 and 22 July 2006. Optional pre-convention tours of Finger Lakes wineries and other attractions will be offered on 17 and 18 July 2006. Registration for the convention is open to current members of the American Cut Glass Association. Corning became a center for cut-glass production after the Brooklyn Flint Glass Co. (subsequently Corning Glass Works and Corning Inc.) moved to the city in 1868. Leading firms involved in the business in the Corning area were Hoare, Hawkes, Sinclaire, Egginton, Hunt and Illig.