Collecting Studio Art Glass

Studio glass is one of the hottest new trends for art collectors. There are so many shapes, colors, and types of studio glass art that it can be collected by anyone and for any purpose: home decoration, art appreciation, or investment. But many interested people balk when it comes to starting or expanding their collection because they don't trust their own instincts when choosing art. All a collector needs is a basic understanding of the things to look for when buying studio glass for their collection, and then personal taste and style can take over.

The first thing to consider is the definition of ‘studio glass.' Studio Glass is a recent movement founded in America in the late 50s and early 60s by a small group of artists. Dale Chihuly and Harvey Littleton are two of these early innovators who have risen to international fame for their work with glass. The innovation that these men helped to create was to develop methods that brought glass working out of the realm of the factory and into the private artist's studio. Therefore, ‘studio glass' is work that was created by an artist in their studio, not in a factory. Prominent artists, such as Chihuly, now work in very large studios that employ many assistants, but the distinction remains between a factory and an artist's studio. Therefore, if you are confused upfront about whether a particular piece is ‘studio' or ‘factory' glass, all you need to do is ask the gallery curator or associate.

Questions to ask: Who is the artist who created this? Where is their studio located?