“Progression”, A Glass Guild Exhibit at the Brigham City Museum of Art and History, Opens March 28

The Brigham City Museum of Art and History will host “Progression,” a Glass Art Guild of Utah show and sale, from March 28 through June 13. Admission is free to the public, and the museum is located at 24 North 300 West in Brigham City. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday, 1 PM to 5 PM.

The Brigham City Museum of Art and History will be the host of “Progression” a Glass Art Guild of Utah show and sale March 28 – June 13. The exhibit is free to the public and is located at 24 North 300 West in Brigham City. Hours of museum operation are Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5 pm and Saturday from 1 to 5pm.

“Progression is a vital part of life. Relationships, attitudes, and art must progress and evolve for growth to occur. Progression also involves facing risks and challenges, and therefore can be uncomfortable or even unwelcome,” said Museum Director Alana Blumenthal, noting that guild artists are invited to “stretch their imaginations” by submitting pieces that explore this theme.

“In keeping with our mission to celebrate and elevate local artists, it is an honor to invite the talented Glass Art Guild of Utah’s members to contribute their work to our spring exhibit. Glass art is so unique in its methods of creation and opportunities for artistic expression. After hosting a very popular exhibition from the GAGU in 2023, we are thrilled to be able to host them in our gallery again,” Alana added.

This juried show is part of Brigham City’s celebration of 250 years of American history and innovation and is designed to challenge artists to consider how they and/or their art have progressed over time, said Guild member Dana Worley who arranged this show invitation.

The museum was established in 1970 and operates as a department of Brigham City Corporation.

“The Brigham City Museum of Art and History provides opportunities for exhibitions showcasing fabulous Utah artists, internationally curated artworks, and historical exhibitions that illuminate the history of Utah and our place in the world.,” said Blumenthal, noting that the museum features five to six rotating contemporary art exhibits per year in its main gallery, including fiber art, photography, and plein air painting. “Interactive elements and programs aimed at all ages bring community history and artistic creativity to life,” she added.

According to its website, the mission of the museum is to collect, preserve and interpret art and materials that tell stories of human experiences and of the land. It provides opportunities to highlight Utah Artists and exhibitions that illuminate the history of Utah. It maintains a collection of over 12,000 items, including works of art, historical artifacts, natural history specimens, and oral histories.

For more information on the upcoming show and on the Brigham City Museum go to museum.bcutah.gov.

The Glass Art Guild of Utah – a nonprofit and tax-exempt organization – is a community of artists working collaboratively to support, promote and develop fused or warm glass art forms by serving the educational, networking, and informational needs of its members. Many artist members are local, national, and international award winners for their art and educational contributions to the warm-glass industry.

This year the Guild has scheduled five fine-art glass shows (including the Brigham City show) to highlight recent member creations. For information about the Guild and upcoming shows go to hello@glassartguild.org.

The Guild also provides annual educational scholarships in the warm glass industry to members and nonmembers residing in Utah (17 scholarships were awarded this year) and teaches beginning glass classes to youth and adults. In addition, the Guild monitors grants and other funding opportunities for its membership.

Fused or warm glass is the oldest type of glass art known to man, but the least well known. Most historians believe that the first glass fusing and kiln casting was done by the ancient Mesopotamians in 2000 BC. Egyptians and Romans were the most prolific, and examples of their work can be viewed in museums around the world.

Heating glass in a kiln is the basis of warm glass art which also involves painting with glass, and casting and sculpting. The processes create a variety of different artistic and functional products through a range of temperature work, such as fusing, slumping, and casting. The membership also includes blown glass artists and torch and bead work.

Photo 1: This creative piece of glass art by Glass Art Guild of Utah artist Dana Worley is called “Weave” and will be on display March 28-June 13 at the Brigham City Museum of Art and History. The show and sale called “Progression” will feature at least a dozen recently made fused glass art pieces made by Guild Artists.

Photo 2: The Brigham City Museum of Art and history is hosting a Glass Art Guild of Utah fused glass show and sale which opens March 28 and runs through June 13. This piece called “The Farm” by Margy Campbell was created using the Progression theme.

Photo 3: “Thaw” created by Suzanne Larson will be featured in the Brigham City Museum of Art and History “Progression” Show and Sale March 28-June 13.