For March’s Open Demo Event, HGA is proud to invite artist, Ian Schmidt, to our studio! Schmidt is a second-generation glass artist with over 25 years of experience working in the medium. His career has included roles at institutions such as the Corning Museum of Glass and the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, where he has developed extensive expertise in fabrication and led collaborative glassmaking teams on complex projects. He currently serves as Director of Glass and Ceramics at Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia.

His work is rooted in biomorphic abstraction, drawing influence from natural forms and the material language of the physical world. “I am continually inspired by the quiet intelligence of growth patterns, cellular structures, erosion, and the subtle rhythms found in nature. These organic systems inform both the formal qualities of my work and the processes I use to create it.”

“My aim is to create forms that feel both familiar and ambiguous — objects that suggest living structures without directly replicating them. By emphasizing the inherent materiality of glass, I seek to reveal its ability to embody organic presence while remaining unapologetically itself.”

On March 20th, join us for a live glassblowing demonstration @ 6-9 PM where our hot shop team will assist Schmidt in making 1-2 sculptural pieces in front of a live audience! Snack and beverages are provided with no reservation or ticket necessary for entry.