Welcome to IGA News
Join the IGA for its inaugural glassmaking program in the Czech Republic. Or, if you cannot, show your support for those who can by donating to the program’s support. The program, including spending time at each of Northern Bohemia’s glassmaking schools, the Higher, Secondary and Apprentice Glass School in Nový Bor, the Secondary School of Glassmaking in Kamenický Šenov and the High School for Applied Arts in Glassmaking in Železný Brod– includes studying glassmaking techniques and Czech glassmaking traditions with both school faculty and glass artists at their studios. This is a rare opportunity to learn from and work with some of the finest glass artists in the world. Please view IGA Summer 2012 Program Page to learn more.
In response to the rising threat of closure to the oldest glassmaking school in the world, the Secondary School of Glassmaking in Kamenický Šenov, International Glass Alliance co-founder Amy Brabender created a petition on behalf of concerned members of the global glass community in support of the historic school remaining open. It was read at a Czech regional public and press meeting in Kamenický Šenov on Dec. 10, 2009. The International Glass Alliance was officially established in the following year, 2010, to continue the effort to preserve the regionʼs glassmaking traditions.
The online version of the petition has over 600 signatures from around the world and can be signed at the following website: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/senovpreservation/.
In 2010, the IGA Executive Director, Amy Brabender, and Treasurer, Peter Rath, traveled to the Czech Republic to consult with school faculty, artists, scholars and government officials to create glassmaking educational programs, scholarships to study glassmaking, professional development and both economic and community-based opportunities for Czech students, artists and faculty to participate in sustaining the glassmaking region in northern Bohemia. We are in the process of designing these programs and, as more information becomes available, it will be shared on this website. Financial support for the development of these programs is vital. Please visit the Support Us page to find out how you can support this endeavor today. If you are interested in potential participation, please contact the IGA Executive Director at: director@internationalglassalliance.org.
The IGA’s economic and community-based initiatives seek to bridge the glass communities in Madison and the Midwest with those in the Czech Republic. The IGA is in the process of developing programs to support these initiatives and will update the website as these programs become available.
In August 2010, the IGA was legally established as a non-profit corporation in the United States.
In September 2010, the world-renown glass engraver, Jiří Harcuba, joined the IGA as the Honorary Advisor board member. Please click here to learn more about Jiří's work.
The IGA also presented its initial vision statement at the International Conference on the History of Czech Glass and Jewelry, which was held in Železný Brod, CZ, September 17-19, 2010.
In October 2010, Josephine Brielmaier, Chief Creative Officer of Studio B50, was invited to contribute ideas, provide research, project and development as the IGA Director of Media & Creative Technologies.
In January 2011, the IGA executive director and creative director met with Debra Karp, Director of Community-Based Scholarship and Nonprofit Development within the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside. Ms. Karp provided insight and expertise for the IGA's pathway toward non-profit development.
In February 2011, the IGA partnered with Arts Wisconsin, a non-profit arts organization in Madison, Wisconsin, for a fiscal receivership while its own 501(c)(3) application is processed. This enables donations to the IGA through Arts Wisconsin to be tax-deductible. Anne Katz, Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin, graciously shared her expertise and encouragement of arts and education advocacy to enhance the goals and initiatives of the IGA. Please click here to learn more and get involved in Arts Wisconsin.
Throughout 2011 the IGA has been working to finalize details of its initiatives and programs. As artists, curators, museum and university staff, scholars, gallery owners and collectors, we are all benefactors of the rich glassmaking heritage in this region.
With your help, the International Glass Alliance can increase its efforts to preserve glassmaking traditions and promote one of the last functioning glass regions in the world for future generations!
Let us join together in this endeavor!
Glassmaking is part of all of our global cultural heritage. Visit the IGA Support Page for information about how you can help today!