New York: Corning, Having a Hands-on Experience. Just imagine walking into a world-class museum and saying, “Can the kids and I work with you this morning? We have a little free time and what you are doing looks cool. What do you say?” In  The Studio at Corning Museum of Glass the answer will be, yes.

An internationally celebrated teaching facility whose faculty includes some of the world's top glass artists, The Studio's new program is a distinctive opportunity for visitors to get a taste of the craft involved in creating the glass art the Museum celebrates.  From designing jewelry and crafting glass flowers to fusing picture frames and developing frosted designs on a drinking glass, new artists experiment with a variety of glass working techniques everyday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

"We've developed this program to appeal to children and adults alike," said Amy Schwartz, head of The Studio.  "It is most gratifying to see the reaction of participants both during and after the creative process, who are equally amazed by the technique involved in working glass and sometimes surprised by their own artistic abilities. It gives them a unique perspective and also a new appreciation of the work that is featured here at The Museum," continued Schwartz.  "It's fun to see them come out of the Workshop and hurry back to the galleries to take a fresh look at the historic works on display."

A variety of new programs and opportunities that will help families immerse themselves in the art, history, and science of glass.

Go for a story. Join us for storytelling, magic and more. 11:00 a.m. every Wednesday in July and August in the Museum's auditorium.

Just design it and they will make it. Young artists can submit drawings of objects they'd like to see made in glass. At Hot Glass Shows throughout the day, master glassmakers choose one of the drawings and make that object from start to finish in front of a live audience—often consulting with the designer along the way.

Find hidden treasures. One-hour tours with Museum docents help the whole family understand and explore the highlights of the collection. Tours take place at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. every day during the summer season which is defined by Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Visitors may select from Four Glassworking Techniques.

 

Glass Flowers -- Delicate and beautiful, glass flowers are created by pulling and shaping molten glass. The cost is $18 per flower, with two spaces available every 20 minutes. Ages 14 and up.

Glass Beads -- Glass beads are formed by melting glass rods and wrapping the glass onto a stainless steel rod to make the bead.  Popular designs include earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.  Two spaces are available every 30 minutes; $12 per bead. Ages 10 and up

Fusing -- The art of layering glass sheets to make glass plates, picture frames, pins, magnets, and barrettes is called fusing. Eight spaces are available every 30 minutes; $15 per item. Appropriate for all ages.

Sandblasting -- To generate frosted designs on a drinking glass, artists turn towards sandblasting.  This craft is appropriate for all ages, especially preschool children.  Up to eight spaces are available every 30 minutes; $7 per item.

This program is a distinctive opportunity for visitors to get a taste of the craft involved in creating glass art. Prices for the Walk-in Workshop range from $7 - $18 depending on the type of glass work. The Studio offers domestic shipping for those who would prefer to send their newly created works home. For more information on the Walk-in Workshop at The Studio, call 1(607) 248-1777.

The Corning Museum of Glass also offers one of the world’s premier glass shopping experiences at its distinctive GlassMarket, which allows them to discover glass treasures from around the world in a one-of-a-kind marketplace. An entire floor of shops reflects the breadth and beauty of the museum experience, from scientific toys to glass furniture and from exquisite traditional crystal to gorgeous contemporary pieces and paperweights.

The Corning Museum of Glass.  1-800-732-6845, 1(607) 937-5371 or visit www.cmog.org