When my family and I were going up to Pittsburgh this summer, we decided to check out this museum. It was an impulse decision that was definitely worth the four hour drive from Pittsburgh to Corning.
The minute I stepped in, I was amazed. The artworks were all made of glass! The works were absolutely stunning! The intricate designs and bursts of colors emphasized the talent and skill of the artists. The precise manner of the artwork surprised me. I didn't realize that glass could be shaped in such a concise and detailed manner. It was something I could only appreciate when I saw it in person. Photos do the artworks no justice.
In addition to the beautiful masterpieces of the museum, there's the Innovation Center, The 35 Centuries of Glass gallery, and the Make Your Own Glass studio. The Innovation Center was a fun and interactive part of the museum that incorporates how glass is used in science. There demos of glassmaking, a very fascinating watch. It was very cool to see the demonstrators make glass eyeballs and glass bowls in a matter of ten minutes!
The 35 Centuries of Glass part was also another fascinating part. The history of glass throughout the continents was very informative and gave depth to the beginnings of glassmaking. From ancient collections to royal collections of glassware, this exhibit had it all!
And lastly, the Make Your Own Glass Studio. This part was definitely worth the additional cost! There were multiple things you could make here, but because of time, we stuck with sandblasting. But it was still a worthy experience! Here my sister and I decorated a glass cup, and blasted sand to the outside of it, to create an opaque design. It was super fun and we got a souvenir that we got to design ourselves!
Overall, the Corning Museum of Glass is something worth visiting! There's something for everyone here! The admission ticket, although a little expensive, is meant for two days. Not only that, college students get a discounted admission into museum! I hope one day everyone will get the chance to visit this amazing place!
