Announcing the 2016 Glass Art Society Conference in Corning, New York

Corning, NY, has been the host city for six previous conferences. The most recent conference took place in 2009, when more than 1,400 GAS members from over 30 different countries attended.  

“We are delighted to have the Glass Art Society return to our city in 2016,” said Karol Wight, executive director of The Corning Museum of Glass. “The conference infuses our glass-focused community with even more energy, creativity and passion. We look forward to providing new programs that will take advantage of our new contemporary gallery and hot glass demonstration spaces, and also newly renovated city parks and buildings.”

CMoG is currently undergoing an exciting expansion project, slated to open in December 2014. Designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners, the North Wing addition will include a new sky-lit 26,000 sq. foot gallery for contemporary art in glass. The former Steuben ventilator building is being transformed into one of the largest hot glass demonstration spaces in the world, with expanded hot shop capability and seating for 500 people. There will be a new one-acre outdoor event space located on the north side of the Museum. The city of Corning has also recently created several new green areas across the city. For more information about the Corning Museum of Glass expansion project, visit cmog.org/expansion.

“We are absolutely thrilled to announce our return to Corning and to be the first major conference in the newly expanded CMoG campus,” said Pamela Koss, executive director of GAS. “The new 500- seat hot shop, new galleries and facilities will give attendees a whole new experience.”

2016 GAS conference attendees can also look forward to another fabulous Glass Fashion Show, hosted by Laura Donefer. “I am coming back to Corning with the most exciting Glass Fashion Show ever to hit the catwalk, with over 100 costumes, exciting guest stars and the ultimate finale!” she says. “This will be a GAS event not to miss!”

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About The Corning Museum of Glass

The Corning Museum of Glass is home to the world’s most important collection of glass, including the finest examples of glassmaking spanning 3,500 years. Live glassblowing demonstrations (offered at the Museum, on the road, and at sea on Celebrity Cruises) bring the material to life. Daily Make Your Own Glass experiences at the Museum enable visitors to create work in a state-of-the-art glassmaking studio. The campus in Corning includes a year-round glassmaking school, The Studio, and the Rakow Research Library, the world’s preeminent collection of materials on the art and history of glass. Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York State, the Museum is open daily, year-round. Kids and teens, 19 and under, receive free admission. www.cmog.org.

The Museum is currently adding a North Wing, designed by Thomas Phifer, which will open in late 2014. The 100,000-square-foot North Wing addition will include a new 26,000-square-foot contemporary art gallery building, as well as one of the world’s largest facilities for glassblowing demonstrations and live glass design sessions.