Nearly 300 guests attended Museum of Glass’ Red Hot Gala on Saturday, September 29, 2018. The event celebrated the works of more than 65 artists and offered opportunities to participate in 20 one-of-a-kind experiences via the live and silent auctions. Funds raised at the event will provide a valuable boost to the community and educational programs offered by the Museum.

Highlights of the evening included an exhibition preview of Preston Singletary: Raven and the Box of Daylight. This exhibition features new works by the artist accompanied by an immersive multi-sensory environment, effectively blending an important traditional story with contemporary art, sound and visual effects. Singletary took a few moments to thank those that have helped him create such a unique and meaningful show including curator, Miranda Belarde-Lewis PhD.; video installation specialist, Juniper Shuey; music and sound engineer, Matt Starritt; costumer, Dorothy Grant; and Tlingit historian, Joe David.

Singletary and his wife Åsa Sandlund served as the Red Hot honorary chairs and shared remarks about how Museum of Glass has impacted their lives. Sandlund, an artist herself, as well as an accomplished senior creative and brand executive at Nordstrom, offered a focused and impactful comment, “I grew up with glassmaking in Sweden at Kosta Boda, but the public could not get into the factory to see the process.  It is so special that everyone can come to MOG and experience artists at work creating glass art. What a gem we have here. MOG kicks ass!”

Each year the Museum distributes the Coney Awards at Red Hot, with winners receiving a five-day residency to work in MOG’s Hot Shop free of financial constraint. Often this work results in the artist pursuing a new direction in their work. There are three awards given, the Grand Prize selected by a jury of three prominent glass experts, the Artist’s Choice selected by the artists donating to the event, and the People’s Choice selected by Red Hot guests. This year’s winners are:

Grand Prize — Nao Yamamoto

Artist’s Choice — Katherine Gray

People’s Choice — Benjamin Cobb

The evening concluded with the Hot Shop After Party featuring Nancy Callan and her team of extraordinary glass artists. Callan’s work as a glass sculptor reflects her high-level training and talents, and she didn’t disappoint. She created one magnificent piece of glass art that was auctioned right off the pipe!

Debbie Lenk, Executive Director of Museum of Glass summarized the evening, “I’m biased, of course, but I really feel that this year’s Red Hot Gala was one of the best we’ve ever hosted. There was magic in the air and it was contagious. We can’t thank the donating artists and our guests enough for their generosity. Their efforts allow the Museum to offer more children the thrill of getting in touch with their own creativity, to provide more soldiers and veterans with a chance to heal and move forward through participation in the Hot Shop Heroes program, and to reach those in our community who may not have had a chance to visit a museum or create their own art in the past. That’s why this event is so important!”

– Museum of Glass