Visiting artist glass collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITArt-0126

Staff Only

Collection Scope and Content Note

The Visiting artist glass collection is a compilation of more than 90 pieces of glass crafted by visiting artists to the College of Art and Design. Pieces include practical items such as drinking vessels, vases, and bowls, along with sculptural objects. The majority of the objects had their artists identified, though there are some pieces currently lacking attribution. These objects do not have recorded dates; the College of Art and Design estimated they are from the 1980s through 2018.

The Visiting artist glass collection is arranged in one series. The physical pieces are housed in 14 records cartons, two oversized flat boxes, and one large ephemera box, with the remainder of oversized items located separately on storage shelves.

Dates

Creation: 1980 - 2019

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires at least 24 hours’ notice prior to a research visit. Digital photographs for the objects in this collection exist and should be used as initial access point. Some items are extremely fragile.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use.

Historical Note

The School for American Craftsmen was established by the American Craftsmen’s Educational Council in 1944 and moved to RIT in 1950. Initial course offerings comprised ceramics, weaving and textile design, woodworking and furniture design, and metalcrafts and jewelry-making. The glass program was added in 1972. The school changed its name to School for American Crafts in 1992 and has since expanded its facilities to include a glass hot shop, flame-working and glass studios, and other workspaces dedicated to specific design processes.

As of 2024, RIT’s School for American Crafts offers both a Glass option in the Studio Arts BFA as well as an MFA in Glass. The RIT Glass program’s Visiting Artist Lecture Series invites glass artists from around the world to perform demonstrations and run workshops at RIT.

Extent

28 Linear Feet (14 records cartons, 2 oversized flat boxes, 1 ephemera box, and oversized items loose on shelves)

Language

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Visiting artist glass collection is a compilation of more than 90 pieces of glass pieces created by visiting artists to the College of Art and Design. The materials are not dated but are likely from the 1980s up through 2018.

System of Arrangement

Series I: Glass pieces, c. 1980s-2018

Custodial History

The Visiting artist glass collection was transferred to the RIT Archives in 2019 from David Schnuckel, Assistant Professor in the College of Art and Design. They were accessioned under Acc# 2019:006. (Note: The glass pieces were relocated several times between 2019 and 2023 due to the Wallace Library renovation.)