Carnegie Museums and Phipps Conservatory

Today's  journey took us first to Carnegie Museum. If you haven't been to the museums check out this website. What an amazing learning opportunity for any age. I could have spent several days in the Natural History Museum alone.

Though I didn't focus on glass in the museum, they did have some really cool pieces that I was impressed with.This is one of the largest pieces of blown glass I've seen. 

Our next stop was the Phipps Conservatory. 

The conservatory opened in 1893 as a "source of pleasure and instruction".  Today it is known as the world's greenest public gardens, serving as a model of sustainability.  

Something that is important to know when visiting museums and places like the conservatory is that there are social expectations and etiquette. Just like in schools there are behaviors that you should expect. Phipps even posted theirs in the entryway. 

 In their botanical gardens they feature local glass blower's artistic glass along with famous pieces of Chihuly by the glass artist Dale Chihuly.  (Click here for more information about his work.) As soon as you walk in, a piece of his glass work is on display.

   

                            

In the gift store they feature some pieces you can purchase. 

What do you notice about these blown pieces?

His art is also featured at the Huntington Museum of Art In the conservatory. Have any of you been there? ( post pictures on your blog if you have!)

Other local artists were featured throughout the garden. What type of glass do you think they are? What techniques would be used? 

My favorite display room was called "Wonderland".

Assignment- see if you can find all of the things that are glass.

I was really pleased to see they were educating visitors on the glass blowing process. 

                               

They had other cards informing visitors about tools and techniques. 

Discussion. 

1. What are your thoughts about the botanical displays of glass?

2. How do you think these pieces differ in production then a smaller piece of blown glass?

3. Do you think displays like this help inform the public of the glass industry? What could they do differently or do more of to educate people of glass and the process of making glass?