CORNING, NY.-The first in a new series of focus exhibitions celebrating the diverse work of contemporary studio glass artists, “Masters of Studio Glass: Joel Philip Myers and Steven I. Weinberg” opens at The Corning Museum of Glass on November 2, 2007. Inspired by an unprecedented gift of art in 2006 from Chicago collectors Ben W. and Natalie Heineman, the series provides a platform for in-depth surveys of individual artists represented in the Museum’s collection.

“Masters of Studio Glass: Joel Philip Myers and Steven I. Weinberg” not only showcases the artists’ accomplishments, but also reveals the versatility of the medium, honoring the material’s remarkable capability to assume a wide range of expressions. The exhibition presents the evolution of the artists’ respective techniques, and shows how each has developed new and complex ways to work with glass. Every object in the exhibition is drawn from the Museum’s permanent collection of contemporary glass.

“I am so pleased to announce the launch of this new exhibition series, which allows us to examine more deeply the work of individual artists represented in our collection and to bring more of their work to the public,” said executive director Dr. David Whitehouse. “We are delighted to introduce the series through the work of Myers and Weinberg, two respected personalities in the glass community.”

Myers and Weinberg have exhibited extensively internationally and are studio glass innovators. In this show, Myers’ warm, painterly vessels are placed alongside Weinberg’s hard and brilliant sculptures cast in colorless lead glass. The former explore color and fluidity whereas the latter express the transparent and reflective qualities of glass. Both artists work with the abstraction of natural forms yet their objects stand in clear contrast to each other.

“We have designed the ‘Masters of Studio Glass’ series to widen the picture of contemporary art in glass for the public and the field,” said Tina Oldknow, curator of modern glass. “The focused exhibition format provides a platform to experience the trajectory of a career, and helps deepen the appreciation and understanding of these artists’ contributions to the studio glass community.”

About the Artists - Although they approach the material in very different ways, Myers and Weinberg are both true masters of technique and share a keen interest in process and the advancement of the material. The artists represent two generations of a very young movement. After completing an M.F.A. in ceramics at Alfred University in 1968, Myers pursued an interest in glass independently, developing his technique in relative isolation, in a factory setting. Weinberg also attended Alfred, a decade later, but continued his formal studies at the glass studio of the Rhode Island School of Design, where he worked with mentor Dale Chihuly. Myers created the glassblowing program at Illinois State University in 1970 and quickly became one of the most respected teachers in the country. Although he did not teach, Weinberg is recognized as a pioneer of kiln-casting in American studio glass. Each artist continues to experiment and explore new directions in his art.

Contemporary Art and Education at The Corning Museum of Glass - Born from the Corning Museum’s dual commitment to educate the public on the history of studio glass and to present artists’ works in depth, “Masters of Studio Glass” is unparalleled in today’s cultural landscape. The series builds on the institution’s mission to support contemporary artists working in glass, to provide resources for the development of their art, and to strengthen public recognition of their work The Museum’s Artist-in-Residence Program invites six artists a year to Corning, where they have access to a state-of-the art studio, research facilities, and the word’s most comprehensive collection of glass art and history. Inaugurated in 1986, the Rakow Commission supports the development of a new work of art in glass each year. Under this program, emerging and established artists are encouraged to explore new ideas as they create a piece for the Museum’s collection. New Glass Review, an annual publication, presents a juried survey of recent work in glass made by artists around the world.

“Masters of Studio Glass: Joel Philip Myers and Steven I. Weinberg” will be on view through October 19, 2008. The series will continue with exhibitions featuring sculptural vessels and objects from the Museum’s collection by Czech artist František V�zner and American artist Richard Meitner.