Join us as the University of Montana Western's Glass Program hosts a presentation highlighting the experiences of two UMW students who recently studied at the renowned Pilchuck Glass School. The presentations will be held on Thursday, November 30, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the UMW Emerick Art Studio located on the corner of Poindexter and Atlantic Street.
Students Heather Reedy and Gabriel Sommers received the Mary Baker Emerick scholarships to the Pilchuck Glass School in the summer of 2023 where they had the opportunity to work with some of the best instructors in glass in the world. The Pilchuck Glass School, located in Stanwood, Washington, stands as a global hub for glass art education, renowned for fostering creativity, innovation, and collaboration among artists from diverse backgrounds. From May through September every year, Pilchuck’s Summer + Fall Program offers a series of courses as well as residencies for established artists in all media.
Heather, who is pursuing a BA in Glass at UMW, studied the ages old Muranese technique of murrine while at Pilchuck. Murrine is a time-honored glassworking tradition that traces its origins to the renowned glassmaking island of Murano, Italy. Dating back centuries, this intricate method involves creating patterns or images within a glass object by fusing together different colored glass rods, which are then sliced to reveal cross-sectional designs. Gabriel, a glass minor, had the opportunity to study constructing small glass furnaces based upon historical models out of clay and brick.
Heather and Gabriel will share their experiences in a detailed presentation and discussion that is free and open to public. A social and light refreshments will take place before the presentations. The UMW Glass Program would like to thank the University of Montana Western Foundation for making this event possible.
“As a prior artistic director of Pilchuck Glass School, I spent nine years creating immersive and innovative summer programs in a variety of glass and interdisciplinary processes. My experience in that role drew me to teach at Montana Western and to the block system as an alternative concept in higher education. I’m grateful to UMW’s Foundation and the Emerick Trustees for helping to establish a pathway between Pilchuck and Montana Western. Their support will allow two students each summer to take classes at Pilchuck and share their experiences with the university and community,” said Associate Professor of Fine Arts and Glass Program Coordinator, Ruth King.
For more information, please contact Special Events and Alumni Coordinator, Jolene Robbins: jjolene.robbins@umwestern.edu or 406-683-7303.
