Corning Museum of Glass

You won't want to miss what we've got planned for our grand opening weekend. Be prepared for an incredible line-up of events and take advantage of free admission all weekend long as we unveil the new Contemporary Art + Design Wing.

Special Programming throughout the Weekend
March 20-22

Enjoy free admission all weekend long. Explore the new galleries using our new GlassApp and find activities for all ages including hands-on stations and scavenger hunts. Docents and Explainers will be on-hand throughout the contemporary and historic galleries to answer questions all weekend long. Make your own memento with opening-weekend-only Make Your Own Glass projects (fee).

Friday, March 20

Ribbon Cutting
10 am

Kick off a weekend of celebration with the official ribbon cutting ceremony and be among the first to tour the Contemporary Art + Design gallery.

First Hot Glass Demo
12 pm

Be there for the first Hot Glass demonstration in the new Amphitheater Hot Shop. Our very own Hot Glass Demo team will take the stage at noon to welcome you into the new glassmaking space. Enjoy 360° views of the action below from the gallery-level mezzanine or enjoy the show from one of the 500 seats in the new audience area.

Additionally, several guest artists will be demonstrating in the new Amphitheater Hot Shop throughout the day:

• 1 pm: Immediately following the Hot Glass team in the new Amphitheater Hot Shop will be Anne Gant. Anne is one of the very few glass artists who create pieces on paper. Using molten hot glass to burn intricate patterns into paper, her work is a lasting imprint of a constantly changing material. 

• 2 pm: Next up, see Laura Donefer as she creates beautiful objects loaded with “Doneferian twists”. Laura’s works are intricate and filled with both texture and pattern, making them look as if they have a life of their own. 

• 3 pm: A frequent teacher and demonstrator in The Studio, Marc Petrovic joins us for a hot glass sculpting demonstration. Marc begins with an idea at the core of his sculptures and uses the glass to stress the content of the work rather than the material it is made from.

Saturday, March 21

Guest Artist Demonstration: Lino Tagliapietra
9 am – 3 pm

Starting at 9 am, one of the most widely recognized and respected names in glassmaking, Lino Tagliapietra, will be demonstrating in the Amphitheater Hot Shop. Lino Tagliapietra’s sculptures are renowned for their complexity, elegance, and visual poetry. Lino began his glassmaking career at the age of 11 as an apprentice in Murano, Italy and has never looked back. By the age of 25 he was recognized as a maestro, or master glassmaker, and began working with some of Murano’s most prestigious glass factories. He has also been instrumental in introducing and teaching classic Venetian techniques around the world.

Lino’s demonstration wraps up at 3 pm as the Ladd Brothers, Steve and William, set up for their spectacular 2300° performance, which will begin in the Amphitheater Hot Shop at 6 pm.

Evening for Educators
4:30 pm – 6 pm

Teachers, join us before 2300° for Evening for Educators. Be the first to tour the new education space, the Contemporary Art + Design Wing, and new technology including GlassApp.

Grand Opening 2300°
6-9 pm

Everything you love about 2300° is going to be even bigger and better. See an amazing line-up of live musical entertainment with Solidisco, Gold Dust Lounge, and Rockwood Ferry.  Don’t miss designers Steven and William Ladd who will present an unforgettable glassmaking and design performance in our new Amphitheater Hot Shop.

Sunday, March 22

At 12 pm on Sunday, our own Hot Glass Demo team will retake the Amphitheater Hot Shop stage.  Chris Rochelle, G. Brian Juk, Tom Ryder, Aaron Jack and Eric Meek will be demonstrating throughout the day. Feel free to come and go or stay for the day. Take in 360° views of the glassmaking below from the mezzanine or sit back and relax in one of 500 seats in the new audience area.

Free Admission at The Rockwell Museum
March 20–22

The fun doesn’t stop here! To help us celebrate the opening of the Contemporary Art + Design Wing, The Rockwell Museum will also be offering free admission from March 20–22. Just minutes away and located in the heart of Corning’s Gaffer District, The Rockwell Museum houses a diverse and unique collection that encourages visitors to reflect on the essence of the American spirit, character, and values through the eyes of American artists. Take a short walk or hop on our free shuttle, and experience all that The Rockwell Museum has to offer, with free admission during our Grand Opening Weekend.

Plan to be there for every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime event.