Collecting & Connecting

Banner for the "Collecting and Connecting" exhibition in the Museum of American Glass. The image is a detail of a paperweight with large painted leafy plants and trees. Beside the trees, there are the silhouettes of two people looking around into the jungle of plants.

Collecting & Connecting: Recent Acquisitions

Located in the Museum of American Glass
April 1 through December 31, 2022

With a goal to preserve and continue the tradition of glassmaking in America, the Museum of American Glass collects historical artifacts and contemporary artworks that reflect the rich history of glass manufactured in the U.S., including South Jersey, the birthplace of American glassmaking. Works created by individual artists include pieces made by Creative Glass Fellows in the WheatonArts Glass Studio. The new Collecting & Connecting exhibit highlights various techniques, concepts, and materials, including neon sculpture and processes using biological materials. These recent acquisitions help expand the Museum’s current collection while providing a better understanding of glass history and insight on future trends in glass art.

Each piece showcased has been accessioned into the Museum’s collection, fulfilling the Museum’s purpose to preserve handcrafted glass objects and engage in stories of creativity. This process requires identification, research, and an assessment of how to interpret the work in a way that advances the Museum’s mission.

A small grouping of red glass with "Atlantic City" written in white on each. A small clear cut glass cup with a thick translucent red rim. In the middle, is a tall red pitcher with 'Lizzie' written on it and a cut glass base, and lastly a small cut glass vessel with a red body.
A paperweight shaped like a sphere with a flat bottom. On the outside, there are large painted leafy plants and trees. Inside there are the silhouettes of two people looking around into the jungle of plants.
A deep blue sphere paperweight with small clear dots in rings around the sphere from top to bottom. Next to the paperweight is a tall vase in a similar blue with tall white leaves and flowers in between near the wide lip of the vase.