Submitted by Museum of Glass

Museum of Glass (MOG) will celebrate its third annual Fire & Ice Festival. From November 15 through December 31, MOG will host a variety of Fire & Ice themed activities, performances, and demonstrations for visitors of all ages to enjoy during the holidays.

In addition to the festivities outlined below, the Museum will host a Giving Tree this season. We have selected Family Renewal Shelter (FRS) as our recipient organization. FRS is dedicated to bringing healing hope and new life to victims of domestic violence, and they have identified the items of greatest need for the families they serve. In addition to viewing the glass ornaments and holiday decorations on MOG’s tree, visitors will have the chance to select a tag which identifies an item needed for a child, age 6 months to 15 years, or for their moms. Admission is free for visitors who  select a tag and bring back the unwrapped gift for an FRS recipient. The Giving Tree will run from Wednesday, November 22 through Sunday, December 17.

Visiting Artists

Nancy Callen Museum of Glass
One of the visiting artists, Nancy Callan’s artistic voice as a glass sculptor reflects her high-level training and talents. Photo courtesy: MOG

The Visiting Artist program at Museum of Glass provides internationally-known and emerging artists an opportunity to create new works with our Hot Shop team. Residencies encourage artistic exploration and the expansion of the capabilities of glass. We are pleased to present four talented artists who will be creating new works during MOG’s Festival of Fire & Ice.

November 15-19: Beth Lipman
Beth Lipman lives and works from her studio in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Lipman’s hand-sculpted glass compositions are portraits of individuals and our society overall. Lipman has received numerous awards and has exhibited her work internationally. Her compositions in hand-sculpted glass are portraits of individuals and our society through inanimate objects. Every object created, whether broken, “flawed,” or “perfect” is incorporated into the final composition, literally capturing a moment in time.

November 24-26: Jasen Johnsen
In addition to his substantial glass sculpting skills, Jasen Johnsen is also accomplished in metalworking and tool making. Jasen shares a studio in Bow, Washington, with wife and frequent collaborator, Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen. Jasen had this to say about his work: “I have always had a strong desire to create things. Working with glass continually pushes me into new realms, satisfying my inclination to use my hands and drawing on my tendency to think about things technically and precisely. Each project is an adventure, testing my strengths and challenging my knowledge of the material.”

On November 26, Jasen will be joined by the winner of this month’s Kids Design Glass contest, while he gives life to their unique design with MOG’s talented Hot Shop team.

December 6-10: David Walters
After receiving his BFA from Rhode Island School of Design, David Walters moved to Seattle to work for Dale Chihuly, for whom he still works today. There, he met Lino Tagliapietra and began working as his assistant, a role he has had for 17 years. This role has taken Walters all over the world, and provided the central influence in his life and work. Walters began experimenting with his signature painted enamel on glass technique in 1995, a style that distinguishes him from other glass artists.

December 13-17: Nancy Callan
Nancy Callan’s artistic voice as a glass sculptor reflects her high-level training and talents. Callan attended the Massachusetts College of Art (BFA 1996) and lives in Seattle, WA where she is part of the vibrant Northwest glass community. She has been a key member of Maestro Lino Tagliapietra’s glassblowing team since 1996. Callan’s work has earned her many prestigious awards, and has been part of both exhibitions and permanent collections from some of the finest museums and galleries around the world since 2001. Callan will be making her famous Snow People on December 16.

Schedule of events

November 16: Third Thursday, 5-8pm

  • Still Life Sketching What are you thankful for? Get into a thankful mood by drawing some of the things that make life great! Reflect and join Museum of Glass educators in making still-life drawings using provided materials or your own objects from home.
  • Glassmaking Demonstrations Students from Hilltop Artists in Residence will provide glassmaking demonstrations throughout the evening.
  • Holiday Trivia Test your knowledge and memory with holiday themed trivia in the Hot Shop.

November 17–19
Member Double Discount Days in the Store Members receive a bonus 10% off items in the Store to begin their holiday shopping! Add festive décor to your home or discover something special for friends and family.

November 24
Carillon Bell Ensemble Performance in Grand Hall (1-2pm) Lose yourself in the melodious sound of these English handbells as the artists amaze with their ringing techniques.
Academy of Dance Nutcracker Performance in Grand Hall (3-4pm) Get into the holiday spirit with Academy of Dance as they perform selections from “The Nutcracker” in the Grand Hall!

November 25
Slumping Workshop – Saturday 11am-4pm Create your very own glass bowl or dish during this fun workshop. With the help of Museum of Glass educators, you’ll create designs from sheets of glass, which we’ll heat up until they slump and drape over a mold. The result is a beautiful addition to your home! $29/$26 MOG member.
MOG & GROG, 4-7pm
Discover that unique, local gift at the Museum’s first Sip & Shop event! With works from Tacoma artisans available for purchase, this event is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Beverages and bites provided by Alegre Bakery. Free admission.

November 26
Slumping Workshop – Sunday 1-5pm Create your very own glass bowl or dish during this fun workshop. With the help of Museum of Glass educators, you’ll create designs from sheets of glass, which we’ll heat up until they slump and drape over a mold. The result is a beautiful addition to your home! $29/$26 MOG member.

December 2
Tacoma Glass Sale: Enjoy 20% off when you shop Museum of Glass Store. Visit our local partners at Hilltop Artists and Tacoma Glassblowing Studio for their annual glass sales as well. Visitors to all three locations will be entered in a prize drawing!
Make Your Own Ornaments, 10am-5pm Create your own glass ornament in the MOG Hot Shop in celebration of the season! Hilltop Artists will be ready to help you create your own globe. Participants will be picking colors and shaping their pieces. Must be 12 years of age to participate. $60/$45 MOG member.
B Natural Studio Christmas Recital – in the theater Students of this Bonney Lake music store will perform holiday favorites in the theater.

December 3
Make Your Own Ornaments, 12-5pm Create your own glass ornament in the MOG Hot Shop in celebration of the season! Hilltop Artists will be ready to help you create your own globe. Participants will be picking colors and shaping their pieces. Must be 12 years of age to participate. $60/$45 MOG member.

December 9
Paul and Phyllis Twedt’s Holiday Musicale Performance. Students of this well-known team of music instructors will perform seasonal favorites in the Grand Hall.
Family Day Wrap Party – 1-4pm Create wrapping paper, gift tags, and bags to give that extra special touch to your holiday gifts.
Tile Fusing Workshop 11am-4pm Create your own fused glass art! You’ll learn to combine colorful glass shards, spaghetti-like stringers, and pebbly frit to create a unique souvenir of your visit. $29/$26 for MOG members.

December 10
Paul and Phyllis Twedt’s Holiday Musicale Performance Students of this well-known team of music instructors will perform seasonal favorites in the Grand Hall.
Tile Fusing Workshop 12-4pm Create your own fused glass art! You’ll learn to combine colorful glass shards, spaghetti-like stringers and pebbly frit to create a unique souvenir of your visit. $29/$26 for MOG members.

December 16
Visiting Artist Nancy Callan will create her signature Snow People live in the Hot Shop.
Snow Person Fusing Workshop 11am–4pm After watching Nancy create her Snow People in the Hot Shop, you’ll have a chance to create one of your own in this fusing workshop.  $29/$26 for MOG members.

December 17
Snow Person Fusing Workshop 12–4pm Create your own Snow Person, inspired by Visiting Artist Nancy Callan, in this fusing workshop.  $29/$26 for MOG members.

December 21: Third Thursday, 5-8pm

  • Tack fused snowflake ornament workshop $12 for one/$20 for two
  • Holiday trivia Test your knowledge and memory with holiday themed trivia in the Hot Shop
  • Film screenings Enjoy holiday films for all ages in the Theater

December 23
Fire & Ice Demonstrations 11:30am-1pm & 2-3:30pm MOG’s all-star Hot Shop team will combine molten glass with giant blocks of ice to delight all those watching!

December 27-29
Make your own ornaments, 10am-5pm Create your own glass ornament in the MOG Hot Shop in celebration of the season! Hilltop Artists will be ready to help you create your own globe. Participants will be picking colors and shaping their piece. Must be 12 years of age to participate. $60/$45 MOG member.

December 30
Tack fused snowflake ornament workshop,11am-4pm $12 for one/$20 for two

December 31
Tack fused snowflake ornament workshop, 1-5pm $12 for one/$20 for two
Fire & Ice Demonstrations 12-1pm & 2-3:30pm MOG’s all-star Hot Shop team will combine molten glass with giant blocks of ice to delight all those watching!
Fourcast Quartet Performance, 1-4pm Four women who love to sing a cappella will entertain visitors in the Grand Hall with holiday favorites.
Countdown Coneheads, 12-5pm Make your own unique Conehead hat and noise maker to celebrate the New Year!