Veterans Day Glassmaking

An image of two red, white, and blue swirl glass paperweights resting outside on a wooden picnic table in front of the WheatonArts Glass Studio. The paperweight on the left is disc-shaped, while the paperweight on the right is orb-shaped. They both are on the right side of the image.

Veterans Day Glassmaking

Saturday, November 9, 2024
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thanking members of the armed forces for their service, WheatonArts is offering free admission to veterans, active duty military, and their families* during the Veterans Day Glassmaking program on Saturday, November 9, 2024. 

Closeup of a pair of hands carving into a clay bowl, spinning on the potters wheel.

Pottery Studio

Stop by the Pottery Studio to see wet clay sculpted into beautiful and functional works of art throughout the day. Ask to take a kiln tour while you’re there!

 

Image of three pieces from the Ceremonies in Circles exhibit on a white background. There are two tall drums that are wide at the ends and thin in the middles. The drum on the left has a light brown base with light brown stings extended vertically from the top of the drum to the bottom. A white strand is tied around the middle. The drum on the right is slightly shorter than the one on the left with a light brown strand tied around the middle and a reddish base color. In front of them is a smaller drum about half the size of the taller ones. This drum has a light beige base color and white vertical strands. Resting on top of the drum is the curved portion of a long, thin light beige piece with green patterned fabric wrapped around the end.

Down Jersey Folklife Center

In the Ceremonies in Circles exhibit, discover traditional West African masks, garments, woodcarvings, and ceremonial objects used in special rituals and community celebrations. 

Museum of American Glass

Visit the Museum for special tours of the new exhibition, Centuries of Tomfoolery: Trick Glasses, Pipes, & Whimsical Delights. Discover how contemporary glassmakers use practical archaeology to understand Renaissance drinking games and party tricks. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the whimsical animals and toys from the past.

Image of a lady with a clear horn-shaped trick glass in front of a dark teal background. The lady has her head tilted back as she pours a clear liquid out of the trick glass into her mouth. The liquid instead spills all over her face ,mouth, and light teal colored shirt. The lady has shoulder length, curly brown hair and red lipstick.
Practical Archaeology, Drinking Horn, crafted by Marc Barreda. Captured by Marije Kuiper, Hazazah Film & Photography.
A child is wearing a blue button up and safety goggles while designing a pendant to be fused in the center of the image. At the bottom of the image are materials for the pendant place in cups. There are 3 cups of materials and 3 containers of beads. The first cup on the left contains green glass pieces, the middle cup contains small blue glass , and the right contains small yellow glass. The pendant in the center has an orange base, a blue square glass fragment, a blue and yellow fragment, a square black fragment, and a bright yellow fragment. The kid is holding a small design tool in his right hand.

Education Studio

Fused Glass Magnet, Pendant, or Suncatcher (Fee-Based Activity)
Create a fused glass magnet, pendant, or suncatcher beginning with pre-fused glass blanks. Using small pre-cut pieces of glass and an assortment of accessory glass, including frit and stringers, create a design to be tack fused. After firing your fused glass, our artists will attach a bail, magnet, or leather cord, depending on your project choice. In one week, completed glass projects will be ready to pick up or ship (for a fee). This glass fusing activity has a discounted fee of $10 per magnet/pendant and $20 per suncatcher. 

Free Family Art Activities

Located in the Event Center

Patriotic Paper Lanterns
Join us for a fun and creative family craft session where we’ll be making festive patriotic paper lanterns! Using vibrant red, white, and blue construction paper, and star-shaped decorations, participants will design and assemble their very own lanterns to celebrate national holidays or simply to enjoy a fun, patriotic-themed craft. Each lantern will have its own unique style, allowing families to personalize their designs with accents and stars. These lanterns make perfect decorations for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or Veterans Day celebrations! All materials will be provided, and this activity is suitable for all ages. Come and create a lasting memory with your loved ones while crafting these lanterns!

Paper Bag Bald Eagle Puppet
In this nature-and-patriotic themed craft, families will make their very own paper bag bald eagle puppet! Using simple materials like paper bags, construction paper, googly eyes, and glue, participants will craft a majestic bald eagle complete with handprint wings. The handprints will be traced and cut out to form the eagle’s outstretched wings, adding a personal touch to the puppet. This activity is perfect for children and adults alike to celebrate creativity while learning about the national bird of the United States.

Image of Dale Bierman sitting outside on a wooden stage next to the WheatonArts Museum of American Glass. Dale is singing into a microphone and is using both hands to play the large keyboard that is in front of him. There is a tall speaker in the background on the left side of the image.

Music in the Event Center

12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Dale Bierman

 

Food Vendors

Frosbite Icecream & Grill
Macs & Munchies

Thanking members of the armed forces for their service, WheatonArts is offering free Make-Your-Own experiences to veterans and active duty military* during the Veterans Day Glassmaking program on Saturday, November 9, 2024. Participants and their families* will receive complimentary passes to WheatonArts during the event.

*Who is eligible? The Veterans Day Glassblowing event is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card(CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active-duty U.S. military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps – and up to five family members for free admission.

With the expert guidance of our glass artists, learn how to shape hot molten glass into a beautiful Air Trap Paperweight using a historic antique mold unique to WheatonArts! Participants will choose a color, add molten glass to a mold, and discover the secret of creating these organic shapes. 

Veterans Day Glassmaking Make-Your-Own is limited to one paperweight per participant.

Spots are limited

Sold Out!

Appointment times run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Schedule a Veterans Day Glassmaking Experience by calling
856.825.6800, ext. 152. 

Extended Registration Deadline:
Please call to register before 4 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024.

WheatonArts is committed to making its facilities and programs accessible to all of our visitors. Please get in touch with us with any questions regarding accessibility and glassblowing by sending an email to myop@wheatonarts.org

A glass blowing class for the Veterans Day Make-Your-Own Experience. He is wearing a red shirt, blue jeans, and a blue U.S. Air Force Veteran hat. He is sitting on a bench in the glass studio holding a glass blowing rod with hot glass on the end with his left hand and shaping it with a metal cup-like tool with his right.
a close-up of hot glass being shaped by a metal cup-like tool.

History of the Veterans Day Glassmaking Event:

In 2012, glassblower and artist Lisa Aronzon responded to President Obama’s request to help Veterans return home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She was inspired to create an event allowing Veterans to experience glassblowing in their hometowns. The first “Veterans Glassblowing Day” (VGD) in 2013 was a great success, with 25 schools participating, a second annual VGD scheduled for the following year, and glassblowing schools around the country agreeing to open their doors to create free glassblowing experiences for Veterans. Many glass schools, including the WheatonArts Glass Studio, continue to offer classes for our Veterans as a Thank You for their service. 

A woman wearing safety glasses, wearing a peach colored shirt, sitting on a bench, is holding a rode with a large glass piece on the end in her left hand and is shapping it with a cloth in her right hand.
We will update this page as programming for the event becomes available. Please check for updates as the event gets closer. Thank you!