NY NOW Pre Show Planner Summer 2017

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Best in Glass
America’s Glass City is Toledo, Ohio. A pioneer in glass industry at the turn of the last century,
and a leader in the American Studio Glass movement of the 1960’s, the city’s storied glass
history turned another page when Gathered Glassblowing opened in 2012. Friends Adam
Goldberg, Eli Lipman, and Mike Stevens teamed up after graduating college to give glass
art and design a well-deserved home in a massive 150-year-old warehouse in the heart of
downtown Toledo. As Goldberg recalls, “During our last two semesters at school, Mike and
I were in Toledo every morning gutting/renovating/building/creating our 5,000 square foot
warehouse space and equipment. Our big goal was to be done by the International Glass Art
Society Conference being held in Toledo the summer of 2012. And we hit it!”
Space Exploration
The team’s aim was to create a space for glassblowing, collaboration, and critique. Ultimately,
Gathered evolved to include a gallery and showroom, artist space for rent, and facilities not
just for glassblowing but also for metal fab and wood working—truly representing the soul
of the American Studio Glass Movement in holistic support of individual artists expressing
themselves in glass. The three founders continue to blend artistry and innovation as they push
the boundaries of glassblowing, producing stunning glassware using techniques new and
old. “I am not interested in making objects or installations that just sit in a case or live in the
background. I am inspired by structure and form in nature and civilization,” says Goldberg.
“I like thinking about why a form has developed (naturally or by design) in order to more
perfectly affect its function. In everything that I make, I want to explore harmony. When I
make glass I try to harmonize the three inherent qualities that make glass different from any
other material: fluidity, transparency, and color.”
Reflecting the Past in a Clear Future
Mirroring those intrinsic qualities. Gathered Glassblowing has
followed a flow of imagination by expanding into custom lighting
and furniture, and thrown their doors wide open to the public
for classes, demonstrations, and live music events. Goldberg
is looking forward to his second go-round at NY NOW as an
opportunity to develop new relationships with buyers and
consumers alike, and to discuss adding to their repertoire of
breathtaking site-specific glass installations. Gathered is also
planning to showcase a few surprises at their booth. “Hint: we’re
experimenting with the fragility of glass…” Goldberg teases.
They’ll also showcase a selection of best sellers, like the
Wobbling Wine Decanter (playfully named for its whimsical
method of aerating wine), a perennial
wedding gift with the capacity to
fit a full bottle of wine designed in
a range of filigrana colors. And as
with everything that emerges from
Gathered, there will be a tangible
and harmonious juxtaposition
between time-tested concepts in
glass, and visionary techniques that
continue Toledo’s longstanding
tradition of leading in all things glass.
Handmade
19.262.5501
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