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This Just In! New Acquisitions to the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass Collection

April 14- November 5, 2018

Museums rely heavily on gifts of time, talent and treasure.  Treasures from generous patrons, who were once passionate owners of incredible pieces of history, art or specimens of some sort, make up the dominant portion of the collections experienced on view in most museums.  Limited acquisition budgets for the most part, create the selective few objects that are able to be very selectively purchased.

It is this generosity, curiosity and patronage that is celebrated in This Just In!  In 2017 and 2018, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass was offered a number of contemporary glass sculptural objects from a variety of patrons to expand its contemporary glass collection.  A selection of these gifts will be on view adding new dimension to the exploration of contemporary glass as art at Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass.

All of the museum’s collections began through gifts and the Contemporary Studio Glass Collection began with a gift in 1991 by Don and Carol Wiiken. The collection has continued to grow through gift, primarily and a few purchases.

In this featured exhibition, new acquisitions include: works by Dale Chihuly, Harvey Littleton, Richard Royal, Stephen Rolfe Powell, Jose Chardiet, Ke’Ke’ Cribbs, Clifford Rainey, Jon Kuhn, Emily Brock and Therman Statom, Richard Jolley and many others, sharing over 30 works by contemporary artists.

In 2017, a major gift came from the Herbert and Jane Rozoff Collection of 25 contemporary works in glass. The collection offers a personal selection reflecting their relationship with some of the artists, as well as gallery owners who carried their work. When searching for a home for these beloved pieces, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass was recommended by another contemporary glass collecting friend with whom the museum has had a long relationship and the match was made.

Additional gifts were made that continue to build the depth of the museum collection through Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass’ association with contemporary glass collectors in the Midwest. Bruce and Judy Bendoff, Chickee and Steven Rosen, Bonnie Marx, Barry and Donna Rice,  Jane Humzy and Peter Debreceny, Jacob and Molly Fishman and as well as, Burt and Libby Hoffman are among those who have expanded the museum collections recently through generous contributions.  This exhibition offers highlights from those gifts, sharing the intention of these generous donors with our audience.