Historic Heat: 50 Years of Fantastic Glass from the Heartland
Opens Friday: For the past half century, art glass has flourished in Minnesota and especially the St. Croix River Valley, where many artisans ply their trade. The nearby University of Wisconsin-River Falls has had a particularly lively glass program whose talented artists have flocked to art fairs and craft expos around the country. About 30 of them will show original glass art ranging from graceful vases, bowls and other utilitarian objects to dramatic and often colorful sculpture such as the spidery creature shown above. Veteran glass artists Dick Huss and Jim Engebretson will introduce the show in an informal gallery talk Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. (Opening reception 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fri. Free. Phipps Center for the Arts, 209 Locust St., Hudson, Wis. Ends Jan. 5. 1-715-386-2305 or www.thephipps.org)
Mary Abbe
