The Refract Glass Festival Returns October 15-18, In Person and Online

Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience, the Pacific Northwest’s annual celebration of glass art, looks a little different this year. We won’t let that stop us from shining the spotlight on our incredible artists, though! Join us Thursday-Sunday, October 15-18, for a mix of virtual and in-person programming.

Last year’s inaugural festival was such a success, and we were thrilled to welcome people from all across the country to experience why Seattle is the heart of the US studio glass movement. This year we’ll do it again, with a mix of safely distanced, in-person events and online streaming programming you can enjoy from anywhere in the world. Museum and gallery exhibitions, live demonstrations, studio tours, art auctions—it’s all here!

A recent study by the Glass Art Society found that 74% of people were interested in learning more about glass art. Are you one of them? We hope you’ll join us at Refract, in person or online. Pictured: Refract 2019. Photo Credit: Chihuly Garden & Glass.

More than 100 glass art studios call the Pacific Northwest home, from emerging artists to master glassmakers. Artists need our support more than ever before, and this is a chance to see their work, learn about the glassmaking process, and maybe even purchase something to brighten our homes now that we are spending so much time in them.

Some of the highlights include the opportunity for a rare, after hours visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass, a live neon glass demonstration by Radiant Neon, a hot shop social and demo at The Glass Eye, an outstanding line up of daily live and streaming demos at Seattle Glassblowing Studio, the incredible Pilchuck glass auction, virtual and live artist studio and showroom visits, a daily visit with the glass artists of Pike Place Market, outstanding museum and gallery shows and more…..it’s all part of Refract.

Visit the website to plan your activities, and we’ll see you there! For more inspiration, take a peek at our Glass Art Guide to the Puget Sound region, and the State of Glass series on VISITSEATTLE.tv.

And please follow us on Facebook and Instagram and share your Refract adventures with #refractseattle.

About the Author

Tracey Wickersham

Tracey Wickersham is the Senior Director of Cultural Tourism at Visit Seattle. A volunteer dj & host of a long running music program on KBCS 91.3 FM, she spent 6 years on the board of 4Culture, supporting arts, heritage, public art and historic preservation in King County. You'll often find her at the Tractor Tavern enjoying great bands, exploring one of the region's beautiful parks with her spunky blue heeler mix, or in one of Seattle's many live theater venues.

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