Corning Museum of Glass
Corning Museum of Glass - A New Way to Look at Glass
Once you’ve explored the Corning Museum of Glass, you’ll never look at glass the same way again.
My husband, son and I traveled to Corning to visit the CMOG. I had heard so many good things about the museum, yet we were all surprised at just how much there was to do and see there.
Maestrale, Toots Zynsky (American, b. 1951). United States, Providence, Rhode Island, 2005. Filets de verre (fused and thermo-formed glass threads). H. 33.7 cm, W. 82 cm, D. 41.8 cm. 2007.4.205, gift of the Ben W. Heineman Sr. Family. Image Courtesy of the CMOG.
The Glass Collection Galleries are billed as the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass. There was a 2,000 lb. table, a 5 x 7 ft. micro mosaic of the Basilica of San Marco, and one of my (many) favorites – Cityscape by Jay Musler, a city skyline fashioned on the edge of half of a Pyrex glass sphere.
While we stood talking to Frank Starr, Gallery Educator, a young girl – maybe four or five years old – stood by impatiently. Finally, she blurted out, “Can you show me the glass slipper?” Intrigued, I tagged along as Frank led the youngster and her mom to the display.
The display was of a glass slipper made for a Cinderella movie that was never produced. It was just beautiful – the stuff of little girls’ dreams.
The Glass Innovations Center shows and tells how glass has changed our world. The center has an actual periscope from a nuclear submarine that allows viewers to get a bird’s eye view of Corning. This is a popular display, Frank told me. The periscope we saw is the second one to be installed here – the first one wore out from being used so much!
The Make Your Own Glass experience allows visitors to make a project by glassblowing, flame working, fusing, or sandblasting.
At the Hot Glass Show, we watched master glass makers create glass artwork right before our eyes. There’s also a gift shop and a cafe.
I’ve learned that since my visit, the CMOG has added some new demos – including one in glass breaking! Cool!
Two-and-a half to four hours is recommended for browsing the Glass Collection Galleries alone, but Frank has often overheard visitors plotting to revise their schedule so that they could stay longer, or return the next day. I suggest that you allow an entire day to have time to enjoy all that the Corning Museum of Glass has to offer.
Wanna go? Check out their website for more info.