We experienced the magic of Murano during our International Museum Day celebrations at WMODA, thanks to Louise Irvine’s engaging lectures on May 17 and 18, highlighting the museum’s Hot Glass collection. Louise talked about Chihuly’s love affair with Venice, beginning with his studies as a Fulbright scholar at the Venini factory in 1968 and culminating in his spectacular installation of chandeliers in Chihuly Over Venice in 1996.

Over the years, Chihuly collaborated with the leading Murano maestri Lino Tagliapietra and Pino Signoretto to create his Venetian series. These extravagant designs, featuring spiraling ribbons and coiling leaves, were once described as vases that had an affair with a chandelier! Pino’s impish putti add mischievous flair to the Venetian series as can be seen at WMODA.

Local artist Rob Stern acknowledges Pino as his mentor in glass sculpture, and he was working with Chihuly and Pino on the day their first putto was born. With his whimsical suit, embellished with glass and mirrors, Rob paid tribute to the great glass sculptor in Murano shortly after his death.

The museum’s Hot Glass Gallery also showcases a new generation of Murano artists, including the Ferro brothers, who specialize in cold working. Their exhibition Carved in Glass impressed our visitors so much that it has been extended for another month. Their vibrant vases, carved up to five layers deep, can still be appreciated at WMODA until August 30.

In addition to blown and cold-worked glass, WMODA also celebrates lampworking, a technique that uses a flaming torch to create tiny treasures. Visit the museum’s Studio Collection shop to see the incredible lampwork of Emmanuel Toffolo, who makes iridescent beetles, the jewels of the insect world, and Dario Frare, who specializes in marine creatures from the Venetian lagoon.

Louise also introduced local artists who continue Murano glass traditions, including Chelsea Rousso, who makes fused fazzoletto-style bowls inspired by Chihuly’s Macchia.  Chelsea’s Bowled Over glass workshop on Saturday morning was sold out but prospective students have another opportunity at future workshops in the fall.

Chelsea Rousso’s Unity in the Community project, which introduced 150 local people to the art of fused glass, was the focus of the Saturday afternoon program. Many of the participants came to celebrate Chelsea’s amazing initiative and proudly pointed out their icon to friends.

Murano glass beads were showcased during the Sunday program when Diane and Mauro Gennaretti from Italianissimo offered jewelry commissioned during their frequent trips to Venice. Local ceramics and glass artist Mirela Popovici has revealed her newfound passion for lampworking beads with her stunning collection of jewelry for sale. Our local “beadaholic,” Wendy Chercass, also dazzled us with her dexterity, weaving tiny glass beads into bracelets and earrings sold in the Museum Shop. Even if you missed the International Museum Day celebrations, you can still experience the magic of Murano at WMODA this month.