Since our doors first opened in April, 1959, docents have played an integral role in sharing the story of Evangeline Bergstrom and her passion for collecting and expanding upon our knowledge of glass as an artistic medium. Through the efforts of docents past and present, visitors have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the time and expertise necessary to create works of glass art. Their continued enthusiasm and spirit of volunteerism exemplifies our vision for being The Place for Exciting Discoveries in Glass.
With combined docent experience totaling more than 75 years, our volunteer guides have selected works for exhibition from the permanent collection that are most significant to them. From antique paperweights and Germanic glass drinking vessels to Victorian baskets and contemporary glass sculpture, Docents Know Glass is sure to inspire an appreciation for everything Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass has to offer – including our fantastic docents! This exhibition is curated by our current docent corps, including Liane Butitta, Gail Dolan, Chris Grunwald, Kay Hendrickson, Pat Rosenak, Mary Ellyn Vicksta and Jeff Zdrale., and is supported in part by the Richard L. Johnson Memorial Fund.
/ˈdōsənt/ (noun) a person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, art gallery, or zoo.
Meet our Docents
Meet Pat Rosenak
Meet Mary Ellyn Vicksta
Meet Liane Butitta
Meet Chris Grunwald
Meet Jeff Zdrale
Meet Gail Dolan
Meet Kay Hendrickson
Select Works from the Exhibit
Strawberries Paperweight – Mt. Washington Glass Works
Mt. Washington Glass Works
Strawberries Paperweight, ca.1870-1890
Glass
Bequest of Evangeline H. Bergstrom
PW 1958.161.161
Selected for inclusion in Docents Know Glass by:
Kay Hendrickson
Foxglove Medieval Herbal by Paul Stankard
Paul Stankard (American, b.1943)
Foxglove Medieval Herbal, 1978
Flameworked glass
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Stankard
PW 1996.11.1985
Selected for inclusion in Docents Know Glass by:
Chris Grunwald
Upright Cameo Carved Diatreta and Dove by Barry Sautner and Doug Merritt
Barry Sautner (American, 1952-2009) and Doug Merritt (American)
Upright Cameo Carved Diatreta and Doves, 1974
Cameo carved, engraved glass
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Barlow
PW 1995.8.1960
Inner Thoughts by Kristian Klepsch
Kristian Klepsch (Austrian, b.1943)
Inner Thoughts, 1986
Cast, engraved glass
Gift of Don and Carol Wiiken
GL 1997.9.78
Selected for inclusion in Docents Know Glass by:
Pat Rosenak
Enchanted Stairway by Martin Rosol
Martin Rosol (American/Czech, b.1956)
Enchanted Stairway, 1999
Cut, laminated and polished glass
Gift of Steven and Chickie Rosen
GL 2018.3.247
Selected for inclusion in Docents Know Glass by:
Jeff Zdrale
Covered Schwarzlot Goblet with Medallions of Vanity and Time – Unknown Maker
Unknown Maker
Covered Schwarzlot Goblet with Medallions of Vanity and Time, ca.1680
Glass
Gift of Mrs. Ernst Mahler
GG 1979.25.105
Selected for inclusion in Docents Know Glass by:
Gail Dolan
Field Trip by Emily Brock
Emily Brock (American, b.1945)
Field Trip, 2009
Kilnworked glass, cast glass and flameworked glass
Museum purchase with contributions from the Leslie Hamilton Memorial Fund and partial gift of Emily Brock
GL 2009.22.123
Selected for inclusion in Docents Know Glass by:
Mary Ellyn Vicksta
Don’t miss the “Docents Know Glass” online special events
Museum Members and Pubic Online Events: (Registration Opening Soon)
Virtual Tour – February 16, 10:30 am
Virtual Tour – March 16, 10:30 am
Virtual Tour – April 21, 10:30 am
Closing Celebration – May 13, 7:00 pm
All events will be held ONLINE via Zoom.
Victorian Glass Baskets
October 9, 2020 – October 9, 2021
During the reign of Alexandrina Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, Ireland, and Empress of India (1837-1901), English and American glass factories responded to the rise of consumerism and the increasing desire for everything glistening and ornamented by creating and marketing fanciful glass table decorations for middle and upper-class households. The art glass basket reached the height of its popularity between 1880 and 1890. These colorful and highly decorated works of art glass represent both ingenuity and technical skill. Frequently embellished with ruffled rims and applied handles shaped in loops or decorated with thorns, these baskets proved to be popular wedding gifts and were a mainstay in Victorian homes. Now on exhibit in the Mabel R. McClanahan Memorial Study Gallery.