Third Annual Refract Festival Kicks Off This Week

What: Join Visit Seattle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and nearly 60 local artists and studios for the annual four-day festival celebrating glass art in the Pacific Northwest, October 14-17, 2021. The festival lineup includes a full weekend of tours, demonstrations, parties, exhibits, open studios and more.

Who: From glass art aficionados and collectors, to those simply curious about the region’s glass art scene, all are invited to experience the history, creation, and inspiration behind why Seattle is dubbed the “American Venice” – the most recognized hub of glass art in the United States.

When: The festival will be held this Thursday, October 14 – Sunday, October 17. The events begin with GATHER, an official opening party at Chihuly Garden and Glass, and conclude with a trivia contest and glass art showcase at Pike Place Market.

Where: Various locations throughout the region will host free and ticketed events. Participating organizations include Lino Tagliapietra Studio, Glass Eye Studio, Museum of Glass, Traver Gallery, Stonington Gallery, Gallery Mack, Pilchuck Glass School, Pratt Fine Arts Center, glassybaby, Chihuly Studio, Seattle Glassblowing Studio, Western Neon School of Art, Bellevue Arts Museum, Vetri, METHOD and numerous artist studios.

Nine of Seattle’s downtown hotels are offering exclusive Refract Hotel Packages, including room discounts, complimentary parking, signature cocktails and desserts, arts packages, and more.

Why: With more than 700 glass artists calling the Pacific Northwest home, the region is the ideal place to discover the diversity of glass art, as well as meet artists who are producing it. Refract will showcase the artists and organizations that have contributed to making the Puget Sound region the epicenter of glass art in America.

Events: A complete listing of both ticketed and free events, including time, location and pricing, can be found online at refractseattle.org/events.

Images for media use can be found at https://visitseattle.canto.com/v/mediaimages/album/GCIGR.

Featured Events:

GATHER
When: Thursday, October 14, 5-8 p.m.
Where: Chihuly Garden and Glass, 305 Harrison St, Seattle
What: Celebrate the official opening night event for Refract 2021: The Seattle Glass Experience. Explore the colorful works of artist Dale Chihuly and watch live glassblowing demonstrations.
Cost: $35

Lino Tagliapietra Studio
When: Thursday, October 14, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Lino Tagliapietra Inc., 2006 2nd Ave, Seattle
What: Enjoy the Maestro’s Seattle Showroom for a full day of glass, bites and aperitifs. Celebrate glass in style while viewing the Maestro’s recent documentary, Lino Tagliapietra: The Making of a Maestro | The Greatest Glassblower in History.
Cost: $45, reservations required

Seattle Glassblowing Studio
When: Thursday, October 14, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Seattle Glassblowing Studio, 2227 5th Ave, Seattle
What: Reflecting Diversity. A group exhibition highlighting and celebrating the diverse skills, background and talents of glass artists who experience disabilities.
Cost: Free, RSVP required

Glass Eye
When: Friday, October 15, 5-7:30 p.m.
Where: Glass Eye Studio, 600 NW 40th St, Seattle
What: Glass Eye is opening its studio exclusively to visitors during Refract. Sip and mingle while enjoying a live collaboration between their artisan glassblowing team and visiting artist and friend, Squire Broel.
Cost: This free event is first come, first served with an open bar until it’s gone.

METHOD Gallery
When: Friday, October 15, 6-8 p.m.
Where: METHOD Gallery, 106 3rd Ave S, Seattle
What: Morgan Peterson will present and discuss her first solo show in Seattle, “Born of Our Culture / American Excess,” during this special reception. Her exhibition will be available for viewing by appointment only (Oct. 8-Nov. 13) outside of the reception.
Cost: Free. Reservations required as attendance is limited, RSVP to [email protected].

Altered States
When: Friday, October 15, 4-8 p.m.
Where: Western Neon School of Art, 2902 4th Ave S, Seattle
What: Join WNSA for a group exhibition presenting eight Pacific Northwest artists working with light, space, and interactive technologies.
Cost: Free

Pratt Fine Arts Center
When: Saturday, October 16, 1-5 p.m.
Where: Pratt Fine Arts Center, 1902 S Main St, Seattle
What: Seattle glass artist Jason Christian is taking over the hot shop for a four-hour glassblowing demonstration. The hot shop will be open for in-person observers with a limited capacity of 10 people—first come, first served—and socially distanced seating.
Cost: Free

Pike Place Market
When: Sunday, October 17, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Pike Place Market, 85 Pike St, Seattle
What: Visit Pike Place Market for this free event to explore the Market’s incredible glass artists craft tables and purchase something to take home to start or add to your glass collection. Also participate in the Refract: Pike Place Market Glass Artist Trivia Contest at Pike Place Market, 11am-4pm.
Cost: Free

Museum of Glass
When: Sunday, October 17, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock St, Tacoma
What: Museum of Glass and Pilchuck Glass School will present What Are You Looking At?: An Eccentric Chorus of Artists Working in Glass, a jointly curated exhibition highlighting the work of artists selected for the partnership residency program between Pilchuck and MOG, which has been ongoing for 18 years.
Cost: $17

Artist Open Studios
Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, 11 a.m. – 3p.m.
A rare opportunity to see these private spaces. Locations and information at https://refractseattle.org/open-artist-studios/
Cost: FREE

About Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience
Visit Seattle, Chihuly Garden and Glass and more than 60 Pacific Northwest arts organizations are joining together for this annual festival, taking place October 14-17, 2021. This year’s festival offers a unique mix of in-person shows, demonstrations, parties, and exhibitions, alongside virtual programming options. Visit RefractSeattle.org for further details. Information on the state of glass art in America can be found in a study at LandscapeOfGlass.com.

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
Located at Seattle Center, Chihuly Garden and Glass brings together all the elements of artist Dale Chihuly’s work, including Drawings, signature glass series, large architectural installations and personal collections. This long-term Exhibition features indoor galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse, and an ever-changing Garden, along with live glass demonstrations, a Theatre, and Collections Café, which features items from Chihuly’s personal collections. Learn more at chihulygardenandglass.com.

Glass Art Guide can be found online: visitseattle.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/visual-arts/glass-art/.

View “State of Glass” — a mesmerizing three-part online film series featuring Pacific Northwest glass artists Dan Friday, Debora Moore, and Dylan Neuwirth

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