FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cindy Mackey (757) 754-4553, cmackey@chrysler.org
FRITZ DREISBACH, “THE JOHNNY APPLESEED OF GLASS,” TO CREATE AT THE
GLASS STUDIO DECEMBER 6, 7 AND 8 IN THE VISITING ARTIST SERIES
NORFOLK, Va. – (November 2013) – The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio is pleased to
welcome Fritz Dreisbach on December 6, 7, and 8 as the culmination of the 2013 Visiting Artist
Series. He will work live in the Glass Studio on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and
from 2:30 to 5 p.m.; and on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. Driesbach will speak at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The Glass Studio team will join him in narrated demonstrations each day from noon to 1 p.m.
Admission is free to all of the events.
With a career spanning five decades, Dreisbach is universally recognized as one of the
pioneers of the American Studio Glass Movement. Originally from Cleveland, Dreisbach
received a bachelor of arts degree at Hiram College and a master’s degree in art from the
University of Iowa. He also received a master of fine art degree from the University of
Wisconsin. While at the University of Wisconsin, he was introduced to the work of another Glass
Studio Movement heavyweight, Harvey Littleton.
Dreisbach was a founding member of the Seattle-based Glass Art Society in 1971, and served
as its president for two terms. In 2002, the Glass Art Society presented him with its highest
honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was elected a Fellow of the American Crafts
Council in 1988.
Dreisbach is known as “the Johnny Appleseed of Glass,” and he has presented hundreds of
lectures and demonstrations in more than 150 institutions in North America, Europe, and Asia.
He has served as artist in residence at The Museum of Glass (Tacoma) and the Toledo
Museum of Art, and his work can be found in many of the leading museum collections including
the Chrysler Museum of Art, The Corning Museum of Glass, Carnegie Museum of Art, The High
Museum of Art, Glasmuseum Frauenau in Germany, and Glasmuseet Ebeltoft in Denmark.
The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio is located directly across the street from the Chrysler
Museum at 745 Duke Street in Norfolk. The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most
distinguished mid-sized art museums with a world-class collection of more than 30,000 objects,
including one of the great glass collections in America, The Glass Studio, which opened in
November 2011, brings the collection to life through innovative performance and educational
programs. The Glass Studio offers free glassmaking demonstrations, classes, and workshops
for students and adults. The state-of-the-art facility accommodates both aspiring and master
glass artists with fully equipped facilities for a range of glassmaking processes. For more
information, events and programming, visit chrysler.org or call (757) 664-6200.
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Fritz Dreisbach (American, b. 1941)
Floral Verdant Mongo with Embracing Ferns, 1989,
Blown and cast dichroic glass with filigree inclusions and hot applications
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Joyce 91.41
Fritz Dreisbach (American, b. 1941)
Goblet: Optic Double with Pink Yarn Ball Stem and Dots, Blue Lip Wrap, 1989
Blown pattern-molded glass with hot applications
Museum Purchase with funds donated by Lawrence and Anne Fleder, Richard and Beth
Diamonstein, and Jamie and Carol Diamonstein in honor of the 40th wedding anniversary of
Arthur and Renée Diamonstein 95.25