Current & Coming Exhibits | Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass

Fresh Picks: A Selection of Recent Acquisitions

July 7, 2023 – February 4, 2024

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is pleased to present Fresh Picks: A Selection of Recent Acquisitions featuring new works accepted into the permanent collection. Acquired through purchase or donated by generous collectors and artists, these new acquisitions serve to broaden the interpretive scope of our holdings while increasing artist representation. Fresh Picks features new acquisitions by artists including Harvey Littleton, Frederick Carder, Henry Halem, Daum Freres, Verreries Schneider, Petr Hora, Richard Jolley, Pino Signoretto, Henry B. Richardson, Mary Van Cline, Rick Ayotte, Melissa Ayotte, Pietro Bigaglia, Mount Washington Glass Works and Richard Loesel.

As an American Alliance of Museum’s accredited institution, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass strategically acquires artworks that enhance our mission as a leading glass museum through exhibition, interpretation, and research. Fresh Picks continues the museum’s tradition of celebrating the philanthropy of our generous donors. Through these gifts, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is able to provide extraordinary glass experiences to engage our audiences.

Staff Picks: Selections from the Museum’s Permanent Collection

August 4, 2023 – April 21, 2024

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is home to more than 5,000 works of art in glass. This exhibition features works hand-curated by fourteen members of the museum’s staff. Highlighting works from each of our four major collections, including Victorian Art Glass baskets, Germanic glass, Studio glass, and paperweights, there’s sure to be something to catch your fancy. On exhibit in the museum’s Mabel R. McClanahan Memorial Study Gallery.

Directing the Flow: The Art of Wes Hunting

August 11, 2023 – February 4, 2024

Wisconsin-based artist Wes Hunting creates blown and cast glass vessels and sculpture featuring colorful palettes and murrine inspired by past and present creations of artists working in Murano, Italy. Through the process of “painting” with colored glass and cold surface cutting, his newest creations invite the viewer to gaze inward into miniature worlds, paying homage to the aesthetics of overlay paperweights.

Hunting studied under glass artist Henry Halem while attending Kent State from 1975 to 1979. He served as an assistant to Richard Ritter, and has taught at the University of Kansas, Tennessee College of Crafts, Florida Keys Community College, and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. His work can be found in museums throughout the country. As a result of his selection as the 1st Place winner, sponsored by Rosann Baum Milius, of the 2022 Glass Arts Festival, Hunting’s art will be on exhibit in the museum’s Wisconsin Gallery through February.