This year, the Burg hosts the Glass Art Society’s 48^th Annual Conference Charting a Course: Visions in Glass from March 28-30.

The conference provides an opportunity for residents to come together to watch and listen to leading members share their expertise.  It provides emerging artists the chance to show our community their talents.

Welcome to the Glass Coast

Why was St. Pete chosen? For starters, it’s becoming known as “The Glass Coast,” a place that is transforming into an arts hub and a worldwide destination for glass enthusiasts. Just check out the Chihuly Collection and the Imagine Museum if you don’t believe us.

The best part is that even if you aren’t a member, you can still attend the pop-up events and galleries that the Society is presenting. Here’s a look at some of the events popping up this weekend.

Zen Glass Presents… Adventures in Tiny Town!

March 29, 6pm Tiny Town, 2520 Emerson Avenue South

This pop-up show features Wicked Glass, Dosh, Evol, and others! Located in Dan Painter’s Tiny Town (an artistic microcosm in the Warehouse Arts District). Once inside Tiny Town, head over to the Flamingo Hotel to see Dosh’s trebuchets.

The Popup pier is the temporary home to Wicked Glass and his Kraken creatures. You can also find Evol’s newest works at Bad Duck Petroleum. It’s free and open to the public!

Seasons of Change

March 29, 7:10-9:10pm, Zen Glass Studio, 600 27th Street South

This art show is presented by Laceface. It’s a body of work and a short film that focuses on not only climate change, but also the idea of embracing change itself as the world we live in evolves to its own very different future.

Come see Autumn, Summer, Winter and Spring alongside a handful of other rare solo work in an epic functional art showcase based on change. If you consider yourself a lover of glass art you will not want to miss out on this pinnacle moment of LaceFace’s career, as she opens the door to the future of her art. This event is free, but you should reserve your tickets on the Facebook event page.

ON EDGE: James Brenner public art unveiling and sculpture exhibition

March 29, 6-7:30 pm, Unveiling Ceremony on the SE corner of 16th Street and Central Avenue, reception across the street at Leslie Curran Gallery at 1431 Central Avenue

This event is special because the artist, James Brenner, is unveiling his new work and also hosts a solo exhibit. His new work is called ON EDGE, installed around the perimeter of the EDGE District in St. Pete. To learn more, go to www.jamesbrenner.com/now-blog/2018/2/14/edge-district-gateway-marker-project. This event is free and open to the public.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu6gmXkHXYx/

Project 33

March 28, 600 27th Street South

Project 33 is coming to Zen Glass Studio and setting up a mobile studio. This project is a collection of artists and volunteers working to create sustainable abundance through art. It creates “coins” that are used as an alternative currency accepted by several glass related suppliers, distributors, and artists.

The Glass Art Society is a 501c3, non-profit, international organization whose purpose is to encourage excellence, to advance education, to promote the appreciation and development of the glass arts, and to support the worldwide community of artists who work with glass.