Gift of Gerald Silverstein

Though his works are often described as whimsical due to theme, use of color and pattern and their larger-than-life scale, Ricky Bernstein believes this term “…belies the seriousness of the subject matter.” The main character in this work is Betty, a 1950’s housewife aspiring to win her husband’s office party contest. Her fantastic balancing act creates a perfect metaphor for the roles, expectations and aspirations of women in the 1950’s, as seen by the artist.

Partial gift of Ricky Bernstein and museum purchase with funds from Ron Abramson, Carl and Elizabeth (Betty) Pforzheimer, Solomon (Sonny) and Gloria Kamm, David and Monica Bernstein, Sheldon Bruce Palley, Peter Zandan, Mariah Riess, Warren and Margot Coville (Trico Foundation), Ann Rollins, Alan and Barbara Boroff, Henry and Linda Wasserstein, Bonita (Bonnie) Marx, Julia Mueller, John and Liane Butitta, and Chris Rifkin

Nicolas Africano creates scaled, life-size and larger-than-life figures in cast glass. The primary subject of his sculpture is his wife and muse, Rebecca, of whom Sleeping Girl is likely based.

Gift of Lynde B. Uihlein

Hank Murta Adam’s rough, often disfigured human forms capture light and the essence of human emotion within. The incorporation of industrial debris to his works adds to a feeling of rawness both in form and thematic context.

Gift of Donna and Barry Rice

Of his work, Mark Abildgaard says, “In creating my glass sculpture I have found inspiration by looking at the artifacts from many different cultures which convey a sense of mystery about mankind’s existence through time… I try to create archetypical images which are not culturally specific. In working with these images I am seeking a way to combine ancient forms and my own life experiences. I want my work to maintain a connection to the past and at the same time reflect a sense of the immediacy of the moment when glass, light and color interact.”

Gift of Burton and Libby Hoffman

Janusz Walentynowicz’s work focuses on human relations and gender roles. Admired globally for his expressive figurative imagery, he is perhaps best known for his reverse painted bas reliefs in cast glass, which have the effect of a three dimensional sculptural figurative form hung on a two dimensional wall format.

Gift from the collection of Jane Humzy and Peter D. Debreceny