Past Exhibitions

Big Ideas/Small Packages:  Magnificent Glass Under 20

November 1, 2008 through February 21, 2009

This exhibition honors the paperweight tradition on which Bergstrom-Mahler Museum was founded. It explores the processes of glass techniques used in paperweight making and earlier, to examine the continuum of  glass working methods today.

Many of the techniques used in working and decorating glass did not begin and end in one era.  Glass is a material that evolved over centuries with a long history of use for creating decorative and functional objects. The earliest objects were small precious inlays, beads, unguent jars and containers for oils and perfumes.  These can be traced back to Egyptian use, at least 6,000 years ago or earlier.

This exhibition examines the dynamic possibilities of these ancient glass methods, expanded upon by technology, creativity and contemporary thought, in small scale to honor the initial direction of Bergstrom-Mahler Museum and discover the unending possibilities of the material.

The visual surprises are many as you explore the profound ingenuity of the artists using this historically alluring, versatile and dynamic material: glass.

The Italian Influence in Glass
October 10- February 21, 2010

The Italian Influence in Glass considered the origins of techniques from the Romans, to the considerable innovations in style of the Venetians, and now the work that artisans of Murano are presenting for glass artists to infuse into a new bold statement. Examples of the Italian influence in this exhibition are objects created with mosaic techniques from the Roman Empire of the mid first century B.C.E. to the mid first century.
The influence continues to the paperweight form of the 19th century and carries through to the current period with the innovative work of the Venini, Barovier, and Seguso factories.  As before, these artists have influenced the work of contemporary glass artists such as Harvey Littleton, Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra and Richard Ritter, and others. Wisconsin artists include, Michael Meilahn, Wes Hunting, Jeremy Popelka and Charles Savoie.

These exhibitions have been funded in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts

Glass from the Habsburgs to the Czech Republic

October 9, 2010  to January 2, 2011

Glass from the Habsburgs to the Czech Republic features the museum collections complemented by loans of other glass from Central Europe to develop a chronological view of some of the highest artistic achievements between 1573 to the present day.The exhibition showcases the exquisite collection of Germanic Glass drinking vessels given by Ernst and Carol Mahler, founding members and former presidents of the board of directors.

In addition, selections from the personal collection of Eric Kaplan and Barbara Moser of Moser Art Glass, created in Meierhofen near Karlsbad, as well as Bohemian and Czechoslovakian paperweights from the collection of Gary and Marge McClanahan are included in the exhibition. Contemporary Glass of Central Europe including Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland from five private collections will complete the timeline of artistic achievements in glass over a period of nearly 500 years.

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All That Glitters
October 1, 2011 - February 19, 2012

All That Glitters was based on the simplicity of form and glimmer of glass in contemporary cold-worked sculpture. Experience the sensuality of light as it is manipulated by artists and transformed into color and pattern.

Artists were selected based on the visual effects of their sculpture and the common theme of working in cold glass methods: polishing, cutting, laminating and faceting, to exploit the reflective and transmissive qualities of light that glass manages like no other material, except perhaps, diamonds. See work from: Christopher Ries, Kreg Kallenberger, Toland Sand, Sidney Hutter, David Huchthausen, Jon Kuhn, Michael Taylor and Donald Friedlich. For a gallery guide, click here.

Thank you exhibition sponsors: Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts and the John E Julien Fund within the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Ricky Bernstein's Kitchen Dreams and Other Stories

April 14-September 2, 2012

Step into a comical world of 1950’s pop culture with Ricky Bernstein’s Kitchen Dreams.  Using glass, aluminum and childhood memories, artist Ricky Bernstein pieces together everyday life through a caricature of social roles and cultural icons.  Bernstein’s life-sized collages animate a bold, bright, somewhat surreal world, bound to bring you a good belly laugh.

The Legacy of Littleton: Harvey Littleton and His Students

September 14, 2012 to February 24, 2013

The exhibition features the work of Harvey Littleton and his early students who have carried on his legacy by further developing and sharing glass as a studio art. Featured  artists include, Christopher Ries, Dale Chihuly, David Huchthausen, Tom McGlauchlin, Audrey Handler, Gary Beecham, Fritz Dreisbach,  Michael Taylor, Marvin Lipofsky, Tom Philabaum, Roland Jahn, Colleen Ott, Henry Halem, John Brekke, Bill Boysen, Vernon Brejcha, Brent Cox, Jack Ink, Kent Ipsen, Dan Schwoerer, Colleen Ott, John Littleton and Kate Vogel.
Click here to watch a video about the history of the American Studio Glass Movement.

Thank you exhibition sponsorsrs: This exhibition is sponsored in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.