PRESS RELEASE

Seattle Hosts Refract, Serving as the U.S. Epicenter of Glass Art Celebration in 2026

Visit Seattle and Chihuly Garden and Glass present Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience, October 15–18, as a new study reaffirms the Pacific Northwest’s leadership in the contemporary art form

SEATTLE – Recently ranked the nation’s leading hub for glass art by “Landscape of Glass Art in America 2.0” – a 2025 benchmark study from the Glass Art Society (GAS) and Chihuly Garden and Glass – Seattle will showcase why it’s a premier global destination to experience the art form during the eighth annual Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience. Returning Oct. 15-18, the citywide festival celebrates several glass art milestones including the 30th anniversary of “Chihuly Over Venice,” the groundbreaking international exhibition by the renowned Seattle-area artist; the 35th anniversary of Seattle Glassblowing Studio and the 50th anniversary of Pratt Fine Arts Center, two cornerstone educational institutions that have shaped generations of artists. As the nation’s center of glass art celebration, Refract will ignite Seattle with exhibitions, artist demonstrations, and immersive experiences that highlight how the region is such a hotbed for the dynamic art form. 

“Refract celebrates the extraordinary artists in our thriving and creative community, with several institutions that have helped establish Seattle as a cornerstone of America’s contemporary glass movement,” said Michelle Bufano, Executive Director of Chihuly Garden and Glass. “This year’s Celebration theme recognizes not only how far the festival has come, but also the broader story highlighted in the recent “Landscape of Glass Art in America” study – one of innovation, collaboration, and a thriving creative community. Whether you’re a dedicated collector or experiencing glass art for the first time, Refract offers an opportunity to meet artists, explore studios, and experience firsthand why Seattle continues to be a global destination for glass.” 

As travelers increasingly seek interactive, experience-driven trips where they can learn new and unique skills, Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience stands out as an ideal experience for a glass art “skillcation.” Offering programming like hands-on glassblowing workshops, exclusive studio tours, and live artist demonstrations throughout the weekend, Refract is designed to fully immerse attendees in the craft of glass art and Seattle’s creative community.  

“Visitors can experience Seattle’s vibrant glass art scene from the moment they step off the plane at SEA Airport and encounter a stunning collection of work by local artists, to the moment they arrive in the breathtaking atrium of Chihuly Garden and Glass. You can’t escape the craft,” said Stephanie Byington, Chief Marketing Officer at Visit Seattle. “We are thrilled to welcome visitors to experience this world-class artistry firsthand. There is no better time to do so than during Refract.” 

Refract programming this year will feature a wide variety of glass art forms, artists, and locations across Seattle and neighboring cities, including Everett, Bainbridge Island, Issaquah, and Tacoma. 

More than 70 events will feature the works of 130+ talented artists. As a testament to Visit Seattle and Chihuly Garden and Glass’ commitment to making the festival accessible to all art enthusiasts, much of the programming continues to be free. 

Details of the festival’s exciting lineup can be found on the official website, RefractSeattle.org. 

 Highlights for this year‘s festival include: 

• “Pratt Fine Arts Center @ 50,” an exhibition featuring works by former and current students, board members, and staff of Pratt Fine Arts Center, in celebration of the institution’s 50th anniversary (Oct. 15-18 at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art).
• Live glassblowing demonstrations by Seattle Glassblowing Studio artists*, in celebration of the studio’s 35th anniversary (Oct. 15-18). 
• Events and parties including Gather: The Official Opening Party*, which will include special programming for the 30th anniversary of “Chihuly Over Venice” (Oct. 15 at Chihuly Garden and Glass); the second annual glassblowing film festival* (Oct. 16 at SIFF Cinema Uptown); and The Pilchuck Annual Auction and Gala* (Oct. 17 at Fremont Studios). 
• Exclusive access to studios and tours like the opportunity to view The Boathouse, Dale Chihuly’s private studio and hotshop* (Oct. 15) and a special tour of SEA Airport’s glass art collection* (Oct. 16). 
• Refract Artist Open Studios featuring more than 20 typically private locations across Seattle* (Oct. 17-18). 
• For the first time, a citywide scavenger hunt with eight hidden, limited-edition medallions with corresponding prizes for those who find the medallions (Oct. 1-14). More information about the scavenger hunt will be announced on RefractSeattle.org. 
• Hands-on experiences like glass cutting classes by local artist Karen Seymour* (Oct. 15 at Seymour Stained Glass), and glassblowing classes at Seattle Glassblowing Studio (Oct. 15), Blowing Sands Glassblowing*(Oct. 15-18), Art By Fire* in Issaquah (Oct. 16), and Northwest Art Glass, Inc in Redmond (Oct. 17). 
• Live artist demonstrations at Pratt Fine Arts Center (Oct. 15-17), candle holder glassblowing demonstrations at Glassybaby’s Madrona hotshop (Oct. 15), and demos at The Museum of Glass in Tacoma (Oct. 16-18). 
• Exhibitions like “Luminosity,” featuring the works of Ed Archie NoiseCat, Preston Singletary, Dan Friday, Raven Skyriver, and Kelly O’Dell (Oct. 15-18 at Stonington Gallery); “Luminous Forms,” Mikey Cozza’s exhibition using Venetian techniques (Oct. 15-18 at Gallery Mack); Eunsun Choi’s “The Kinetic Lens” (Oct. 17 at Method Gallery); and “Dick Weiss” and “Granite Calimpong” at Traver Gallery (Oct. 15-17.) 
• A shuttle service provided by Tours Northwest transporting visitors to and from numerous private artist studios across Seattle. 

*Denotes ticketed or RSVP-required event. Visit RefractSeattle.org to secure your spot and see the full list of programs and events. 

Seattle area hotels offer convenient, central access to all these events and more. For accommodation recommendations visit RefractSeattle.org.

About Refract: The Seattle Glass Experienc
Visit Seattle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and more than 60 Pacific Northwest arts organizations are joining together for this annual festival, taking place October 15-18, 2026. Celebrating a year of major glass art anniversaries, this year’s festival offers a unique mix of demonstrations, parties, and exhibitions. Visit RefractSeattle.org for further details.

About Visit Seattle
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales, and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.   

About Chihuly Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass provides insight into the work of artist Dale Chihuly, including drawings, individual artworks and large-scale architectural installations in hand blown glass. This long-term exhibition encompasses indoor galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse, and an ever-changing seasonal Garden. Guests continue their immersive experience with live glass demonstrations, a Theatre, and The Bar, offering signature cocktails and light bites surrounded by Chihuly’s personal collections. Learn more at chihulygardenandglass.com.

About Glass Art Society
The Glass Art Society is an international non-profit organization founded in 1971 whose purpose is to encourage excellence, to advance education, to promote the appreciation and development of the glass arts, and to support the worldwide community of artists who work with glass. GAS holds an annual conference, publish the Glass Art Society Journal and provide online versions of GASnews and the Glass Art Society Online Member Directory featuring member profiles with image gallery, bio and more.