I mean, it's an impressive museum. The gift shop alone is worth the trip.
What I'd predict fewer people know about CMOG, though, is that it doesn't only offer you the opportunity to view, but to create. And with this being prime graduation party and wedding season, if you're looking for a unique gift or a unique something to accent a gift, CMOG's one of many great options in the area.
If you've ever been at the back museum entrance and taken a gander behind you, you might have seen signs pointing you toward The Studio, which is not just for professional glass artists, or for glassmaking school students, though you'll find both there. It's also for members of the public, as part of it is open for visitors to come in and make their own art.
Once I found this out, I made an appointment, went in, took a lickety-split tutorial, and promptly created this:
Took just a smidge longer than expected.
Really, though, The Studio can help you make a variety of items, and it's tailored for people who have never worked with glass before. The staff will help you craft a wind chime, picture frame, suncatcher, vase, blown sculpture, ornament, pendant, beads, and more - and there are often seasonal items you can create such as Easter eggs, Valentine's hearts, snowmen, etc., depending on what time of year you're visiting.
The experience is pretty easy to set up, time-efficient and reasonably priced, too. You can sign up for a time slot and pay in advance on CMOG's website, you're usually in The Studio about 30-40 minutes, and you spend $19-$40, depending on what you choose to make.
Since I was looking to make my cousin a birthday present, I opted to make a glass flower. So I went to The Studio's front desk, picked up my ticket after registering online for the object and time slot I wanted, and brought my ticket into The Studio, where they don you in some highly attractive protective garb including gloves, goggles, an apron and lower arm protectors.
Oh, I'm sorry. That photo seems to have been misplaced.
You then get to pick out which colors you want your flower to be (your choice of three - for this particular project, I went with orange and yellow with a green stem), and you're taken behind the gate into the work area for a tutorial with one of the staff.
The staff member demonstrates what you're going to be making so you can watch the process, but it's not like they sit you on the bench afterward and say, "Okay, have at it." Even if you miss some of what they're doing, they stand right there with you while you're shaping your glass (plus, they do all of the tricky stuff, like adding the color and taking care of the heat element), so no matter what, it's going to come out looking nice.
Here's where I took a crack at it. When you start with the glass, it's in a fun heated, softened form that's shapeable and gradually hardens as it cools.
Once you're finished, it's ready to sit overnight. You can have it delivered or pick it up at the museum the next day. Chances are that the person you have in mind doesn't have a glass creation made for them by someone they know and love.
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The Studio is not only open seven days a week but has extended hours during the summer, so there are plenty of opportunities to check it out this season!
Corning Museum of Glass
One Museum Way
Corning, NY 14830
(800) 732-6845, (607) 937-5371
