Playing with Fire: Artists of the California Studio Glass Movement

October 26, 2012–March 24, 2013

OMCA is one of more than 120 museums nationwide to mark the 50th anniversary of the studio art-glass movement in the United States. Featuring 32 works on view representing 22 artists in the Gallery of California Art, the exhibition Playing with Fire: Artists of the California Studio Glass Movement celebrates California’s involvement in, and impact on, this movement that was brought to the Golden State by Marvin Lipofsky, who started the glass programs at California College of Arts and Crafts and UC Berkeley, and by Robert Fritz, who established the program at San Jose State University. Showcasing pioneer California glass artists, such as Richard Marquis, Jay Musler, Randy Strong, and Mary White, alongside the next generation of California glass artists including Oben Abright and Jaime Guerrero, the exhibition reinforces the Bay Area’s prominence as a hotbed for the studio art-glass movement.

Docent Tours 
Docent-led tours of Playing with Fire: Artists of the California Studio Glass Movement are offered every Sunday at 1 pm, through the end of the exhibition. Meet in front of the special exhibition in the back of the Gallery of California Art.

Made possible in part by generous support of the Oakland Museum Women’s Board, OMCA Art Guild, Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass, and Glass Alliance of Northern California. 

Back to Exhibitions
Randy Strong, Blue Orchid, 2011. Glass, 25.5 x 12 x 10.5 in., Collection of Oakland Museum of California, gift of the artist in memory of Katherine Grubb.
John Lewis, Copper Patina Bench, 2009. Cast glass, copper foil. Collection of Oakland Museum of California, gift of the Women's Board of the Oakland.
Mary Bayard White, Living on Fault Lines and Pacific Currents, 2005. Glass and steel, 67.5 x 24 x 20 in. Collection of Oakland Museum of California, gift of Evans and John Wyro in honor of Mary B. White.
Danny Perkins, Green with Orange Sculpture, 1984. Glass, paint, 29 x 10 in. Collection of Oakland Museum of California, gift of Judy and Jerry Rose.
Randy Strong, Blue Orchid, 2011. Glass, 25.5 x 12 x 10.5 in., Collection of Oakland Museum of California, gift of the artist in memory of Katherine Grubb.
Robert Fritz, Vessel, circa 1975. Blown glass, 7 x 5.5 x 6 in. Collection of Oakland Museum of California, gift of Marcia Chamberlain.