The Ohio State University Glass Area hosted the inaugural Glass Olympics on October 11th and 12th, 2024.

Program support generously provided by the Office of Academic Affairs, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Art.  

Participating Institutions:
Alfred University
Anoka Ramsey Community College
Ball State University
Bowling Green State University
Cleveland Institute of Art
College for Creative Studies
Hocking College (Alumni)
Kent State University
Penland School of Craft
Rochester Institute of Technology
Salem Community College
The Ohio State University
Tyler School of Art (Alumni)
University of Louisville
University of Wisconsin – Madison
University of Wisconsin – River Falls

Breakdown of participants from institutions:
11 Alumni
130 Current Students
18 Faculty
9 Staff members
4 Glass enthusiasts

Attendance:
172 total

Background: 

Glass Olympics is a long-standing intercollegiate event which traditionally focused on bringing students and glass programs together for engaging, fun, skill-based based “competitions” in the glass studio, exhibitions, and tours of various campus locations spanning the country from Wisconsin to the MidWest to the Finger Lakes Region of New York. 

2024 Objective: 

To expand on the tradition of Glass Olympics, which has always done a great job of bringing together glass programs from the region, and feature speakers and participating programs in such a way that attendees would be able to have thoughtful dialogue on the various ways that glass exists as a practice – as art, design, and craft. Uniquely this is a field that is versatile, those who engage with it can be as fluid as the material, as they work in their careers. As our society becomes more intent on career outcomes from education, it was important for us have speakers who could point to a variety of ways that they were making it as artists. 

The 2024 event featured a two-day symposium located on OSU’s West Campus, utilizing the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Observatory and Sherman Studio Arts Center on Friday we had presentations with two featured speakers, four lecture/demos from faculty, graduate students, staff, and recent alumni from participating programs, and a PechaKucha session with quick presentations highlighting participating students and programs. 

All of this was designed to allow optimum discussion and networking between institutions during shared meals at the symposium. Utilizing our budget to focus on creating an environment that would allow participants to stay at the venue for meals, snack breaks, and down time, we were able to foster connection between programs. Faculty and students also created a zine making area for individuals to be able to create artwork that could stay and be a part of the zine, or head home with them as memorabilia. 

Featured Speakers:

Dorie Guthrie, co-owner Shiny Sparkle Studios and Lab, shared her story, of navigating artmaking, teaching, and fabrication from the Midwest to New York City. Providing a combination of technical savvy and inspiration for others to take an entrepreneurial approach and not be afraid to take the leap. 

Beth Lipman presented on the flash points that have occurred in her career and practice as she has navigated the terrain from artist/arts administrator to full-time artist with a family. 

Lecture/Demonstration Presenters and topics:

Hannah Bowlus  - plasma cut blow molds

Kagen Dunn - Imagery and Rayzist

Matthew Everett - layering low fire enamels

Jennifer Halvorson - 2-part kiln cast press molds 

Saturday was full of engaging fun competitive and creative activities focused on glass, teamwork, and building comradery. Unique for Glass Olympics, while games require some knowledge of glass, they are fun and whacky moments, that test participants to think outside of the box, work together, and test their abilities in ways that they are not familiar with. The faculty of participating institutions come up with the line up games and present to the students the day of the event. Eye protection is required at all times. 

Featured Olympic Games: 

Glass Jeopardy

It’s a Flame Thing: Mythical Creatures

Glasketball

Cane Enable

House of Cards

Plaster Disaster

Slam Poem (Zine)

Program support generously provided by the Office of Academic Affairs, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of Art at The Ohio State University.