events
52nd Annual International Glass Invitational Award Exhibition GLASS52
May 4, 2024 - Aug 30, 2024 8:00 PM
You are invited to attend the largest annual exhibition of the year celebrating contemporary glass! This is the event that offers the most extravagant experience that immerses you in the incredible world of the glass art medium.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKETS TO THE MAY 4TH GRAND OPENING
Habatat Galleries Complex
4400 Fernlee Ave.
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Grand Opening, Saturday, May 4th at 8:00 p.m. ET.
248.554.0590 | [email protected]
VIP DETAILS BELOW:
Join us and RSVP today for the 52nd Annual International Glass Invitational Award Exhibition (Glass52) as this event is unlike any other and will be the glass highlight of your year. Visit www.Habatat.com/rsvp to save your spot today!
**CLICK HERE FOR A DOWNLOADABLE PDF FOR THE VIP WEEKEND**
The Glass52 VIP weekend takes place May 1st – 5th of 2024 and includes many memorable events including the Glass52 VIP Preview, the exciting and festive Artists’ Gala, a MasterWorks Auction, a Richard Jolley and a John Miller demonstration, artist and designer talks, early bird classes, home tours, lunches, dinners, and so much more. We will also be visiting the Flint Institute of Art to explore the Fragile Bodies Exhibition featuring both glass and clay. In addition, you will be attending Habatat’s Legendary Annual Glass Party which offers an unforgettable night of artists, glass, and elegance. You are invited to explore two solo experiences by artists Julia and Robin Rogers as well as artist Robert Michelsen. Make sure you sign up for the first-ever Stephanie Trenchard Glass Class (Space is limited)! Once again you will vote for your favorite artists in the show!
As a VIP, you will be the first to see some of the most innovative and impressive works created with the medium of glass. Glass52 is unlike any exhibition you have seen before! You will also have the opportunity to meet over 50 artists from around the world who will be in town for this event. The Habatat Galleries Complex invites you to explore our 12 unique galleries in our 16,000 square feet of gallery spaces.
Wednesday, May 1st:
We are celebrating the second annual Habatat’s Artist Gala which takes place at the Axiom Glass Studio at 7:00 p.m. ET. Axiom Glass is located across from the gallery and only two miles from the Somerset Inn which is our recommended hotel. During this kick-off event, you will enjoy an enchanting night with artists and cocktails as we raise our glasses in celebration.
Thursday, May 2nd:
The events continue the next day as you will experience a demonstration by world-renowned glass artist Richard Jolley at the Axiom Glass Studio. Then you will have a “VIP First Look” at the largest and oldest annual glass art exhibition in history. Expect to be dazzled by the artwork on display at the Glass52 exhibition. You will also have a chance to meet and talk with many of the artists in our Habatat Family.
After dinner, you will be invited to place your bids during one of Habatat’s world-famous MasterWorks Auctions right in the Somerset Inn! You can participate in an auction featuring 50 lots of fine art glass that have been hand-selected and available to the highest bidder. As with our auction tradition, expect to see many names you know and want from the history of studio glass art.
Friday, May 3rd:
Join us for coffee and talks by artists Julia and Robin Rogers, Krista Israel, and a designer who will be discussing new ideas for displaying art in your home and office. Next, we travel to the gallery for lunch before highlighting the solo exhibitions of Juila and Robin Rogers, and Robert Mickelsen. Having a shared passion for sculpture and molten glass Julia and Robin Rogers, with a decade of collaboration, decided to create together. They blend ideas, techniques, and various materials to bring their surreal vision to life through anthropomorphic explorations.
Robert Mickelsen’s career has soared with exhibitions in top galleries nationwide and his creations grace the walls of renowned museums. He has been a prolific teacher at institutions like Pilchuck Glass School and Penland School of Crafts. Mickelsen has authored numerous technical and historical articles on flameworked glass and over the last few years, he has focused primarily on creating functional glass sculptures.
We then travel to two home tours: One is a home designed for glass that has been staged by an important designer. Then you will visit a home unlike any other. We will visit a private collection that is more impressive than most museums. Next, you will enjoy something very special: We will be celebrating the Annual Glass Party at the recently renovated home of Habatat’s founder Ferdinand Hampson. He and his wife Kathy Hampson invite you to enjoy this rare opportunity to talk with the many artists and collectors who share in the love of glass art. This will be an evening to remember!
Saturday, May 4th:
A deluxe bus will pick up the VIP attendees at the Somerset Inn Hotel and travel to the Flint Institute of Art. Lunch will be served when we arrive and we will enjoy a talk by the director of the FIA, Tracee Glab. She will offer you a warm welcome and briefly discuss the museum’s involvement in the glass arts. After, you are invited to explore the Fragile Bodies Exhibition: Glass and Clay. Also, as one of the most exciting artists in the glass community, John Miller, who was recently featured in the New York Times, will be entertaining the VIP attendees with a live demo at the Axiom facility. Miller is well known for his fast-food sculptures and his demonstrations are an experience that is not to be missed! Make sure to explore the institute’s art collection featuring works donated by Sherwin and Shirley Glass as well. We then return to the hotel and invite you back to the gallery so you can place your votes for the VIP Award of Excellence.
The Grand Opening of the Glass52 exhibition opens to the public this same night at 8:00 p.m. You are welcome to attend and share your passion for glass! We anticipate that Glass52 will have one of the most well-attended Grand Openings in the history of Habatat.
On Sunday, May 5th the gallery will be open from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. for a final weekend look and to finalize purchases.
Space is limited, and we welcome the many glass-collecting groups to make plans to attend the Glass52 extravaganza! The cost is only 0 per couple (prorated for single attendees.) Make sure you RSVP today by calling the gallery at 248.554.0590 or visiting www.Habatat.com/RSVP to make your reservations today. Limited Space Available!
Open your phone and grab your calendar to add this event to your travel plans. We look forward to seeing you in May!
Aaron Schey and the Habatat Family.
