Current & Coming Exhibits | Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass

Under the Sea: Marine Life in Glass

December 23, 2022 – June 16, 2023

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is home to many beautiful glass treasures, including paperweights, sculpture, and Germanic drinking vessels. On from December 23rd through June 16th in the Museum’s Blue Gallery, Under The Sea: Marine Life in Glass, showcases fourteen works of art in which artists have found their muse in the flora and fauna of the world’s oceans. Works featuring fish, kelp, turtles, and water-loving birds by artists including Janet Kelman, Colin Richardson, Josh Simpson, Rick Ayotte, and factories such as Caithness and Perthshire will be on exhibit.

Janet Kelman (American, b.1948), Rosy Coral Seafan, 2004 Gift of Bruce and Judy Bendoff, GL 2018.4.248

Chris Heilman (American, b.1950), Blue Runners, 2002 Gift of Rosann Baum Milius, GL 2002.7.89

Antique French Paperweights

January 31 – July 23, 2023

Did you know that the first paperweight Evangeline Bergstrom collected was an antique Baccarat from 1847? It was by chance that she found herself in an antiques show in Florida while satisfying her interest in stamp collecting. The paperweight reminded her of a weight that belonged to her grandmother more than fifty years prior. In fact, Mrs. Bergstrom didn’t start collecting paperweights until she was 63 years old! In this exhibition located in the Mabel R. McClanahan Memorial Study Gallery, take a journey into the past and examine antique French paperweights that Mrs. Bergstrom – or her contemporaries – would have collected. Learn about characteristic hallmarks of lampwork, millefiori and sulphide paperweights from the big three factories of St. Louis, Clichy and Baccarat as well as Pantin and St. Mande. Who knows what exciting discoveries you will make?

Spring Glass Showcase

April 26 – August 3, 2023

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is home to more than 300 works of contemporary studio glass from internationally recognized artists. This exhibition highlights various making techniques employed in the creation of these sculptures and wall hangings, including blowing, casting, fusing, lampworking, sandblasting, and coldworking. Included in this exhibition are artists Judy Hill, Peter McDougall, James Minson, Michael Meilahn, Richard Ritter, Jon Clark, Kreg Kallenberger, Lino Tagliapietra, Deanna Clayton, Keith Clayton, Michael Cohn, Ed Kirschner, Emily Brock, Jon Kuhn, David Leppla, Bernie D’Onofrio, Jay Musler, Audrey Handler, Stephen Powell, Mark Roth, Therman Statom, Toots Zynsky, Pavel Hlava, Richard Royal, Mark Peiser, Seth Randall, Jaromir Rybak, Susan Taylor Glasgow, Joel Philip Myers, and Marvin Lipofsky. On view in the museum’s Kimberly-Clark and Wisconsin Galleries through August.

Fresh Picks: A Selection of Recent Acquisitions

June 9, 2023 – January 1, 2024

Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is excited to announce an exhibition of new acquisitions to the museum’s permanent collection. On beginning June 9th in the Museum’s Blue Gallery, this exhibition will feature recent acquisitions of paperweights and studio glass by artists Henry B. Richardson, Pino Signoretto, Mary Van Cline, Petr Hora, Richard Jolley, Henry Halem, Michael Meilahn, Melissa Ayotte, Rick Ayotte and Richard Loesel. This exhibition continues the museum’s tradition of regularly celebrating the philanthropy of our generous donors of artwork. Through these gifts, we are able to continue engaging and educating our audiences about the exciting world of glass art.

Wes Hunting & Hunting Studio Glass Exhibition

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.

Staff Picks: Selections from the Museum’s Permanent Collection

September 15, 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 twelve 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.