Shattering the Glass Ceiling

Scottsdale, AZ, January 08, 2014 --(PR.com)-- For the first time in American Art Collector’s eight-year history, studio glass—a medium that has flourished since its introduction to the art world more than 50 years ago—will command a prominent feature in the pages of the magazine’s April issue. While the nationally recognized publication has featured artists and galleries devoted to the molten-shaped art form before, this is the first time glass art—also called studio glass, glass sculptures and blown glass—will have a special section entirely dedicated to it.

“In attending art fairs and galleries across the country and through talking with both gallery owners and serious art collectors, it has come to our attention that fine art glass is now, more than ever, a major force in contemporary art,” says American Art Collector Editor Joshua Rose. “Serious art collectors in all parts of the country are now looking to add glass art to their collections and in creating this special section we want to help them find the best glass art available on the market today.”

Studio glass can be traced back to the early 1940s, when artist Harvey Littleton began tinkering with melted glass in his father’s workspace. This was no ordinary workshop: Harvey Littleton’s father, Dr. Jesse Littleton Jr., was the director of research at Corning Glass Works, where he had developed the formula for Pyrex glass. After Harvey Littleton’s initial exposure to glass, there would not be another breakthrough for almost two decades, when he began seriously experimenting with glass as a sculpture material. Eventually, in the summer of 1962—and with the some technical help from another glass pioneer, Dominick Labino—Littleton began successfully creating show-worthy pieces and teaching glass art in a university setting. It was a watershed moment in art history.

Glass is currently in an artistic renaissance, from which new artists are emerging with gallery support, interest in glass is climbing, and exhibitions are encouraging a new generation of collectors and enthusiasts. There is no better time than now to turn a spotlight on this exciting medium. This special section will include essays from experts in the field, profiles on many of the best artists working today and previews of upcoming exhibitions featuring glass artists. Littleton’s glass legacy continues still today across a variety of styles and designs from masters around the world, including Martin Blank, Stephen Rolfe Powell, Carol Milne and, the Leonard Da Vinci of studio glass, Dale Chihuly, whose massive displays of blown glass have helped bring attention to this still-young medium and its many talented artists.

American Art Collector is proud to announce the April glass feature, and invite artists and galleries to be a part the magazine’s glass section. For advertising inquiries call (866) 619-0841 to get your work seen in what is sure to be a fascinating issue of American Art Collector.