BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) invites children in grades K–6 to dream up, draw, and submit imaginary creatures for the 2023 edition of “Glasstastic,” a biennial celebration of youthful imagination and creativity.
Launched in 2011, “Glasstastic” grew from 250 submissions the first year to more than 1,200 in 2018. Each year, professional glass artists from throughout New England give generously of their time and talent to turn a selection of submitted student art into three-dimensional glass sculptures.
The most recent exhibition, in 2021, featured 27 fantastical sculptures, including a snoogle, a kelpie, a pegamallow, a preying beetis, and Sheila and Neil, “the first non-flightless snails in the world.” Submissions came from schools across Vermont and New Hampshire and as far away as Washington state.
Every drawing submitted for Glasstastic 2023, including those that are not selected to be made into glass, will be included in the exhibit, which will be on view at BMAC from Saturday, April 22 through Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
“I love turning unique drawings into three-dimensional glass art,” glass artist Randi Solin said in a news release. “I feel it validates the kids' hard work, inspiring them to stick with their creative endeavors.”
In addition to Solin, the participating artists for Glasstastic 2023 are Josh Bernbaum, Marta Bernbaum, Jocelyn Brown, Robert Burch, Robert DuGrenier, Zak Grace, Jordana Korsen, Sally Prasch, and Jen Violette.
“I can't think of a better escape from the stresses of daily life than a gallery filled with wonderful, quirky, bizarre, hilarious creatures dreamt up by kids from Vermont and all around the world,” said BMAC Director Danny Lichtenfeld. “Add in the extraordinary ingenuity and craftsmanship of the talented glass artists who 'bring the creatures to life,' and you've got something really magical to behold.”
Submissions are due by Friday, Dec. 16. Guidelines and entry forms can be found at brattleboromuseum.org or picked up in person at BMAC.