Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center has a rich history of supporting glass art through innovation and tradition. For over 57 years, they have created a space that intersects traditional techniques with contemporary experimentation. Exploration is at the heart of Wheaton’s The Museum of American Glass in Millville, New Jersey. The museum is a tribute to the history and future of glassmaking, serving as a beacon for both artists and visitors alike.
Throughout the year, they offer family-friendly events, including staples such as the Eco Fair, Antique and Summer Market, and the renowned Festival of Fine Craft. Wheaton Arts provides creative workshops and multi-session classes for all skill levels and schedules. Many are open to teens, making them perfect for multi-generational fun and cultural exploration. If you can take the heat, consider the two-day glass blowing intensive, where you'll be working in the hot shop with molten glass. While you are on campus, be sure to visit the Down Jersey Folklife Center and the popular General Store.




Clockwise from top left: Lucy Lyon (b. 1947), The Visit, c. 2012, Cast neodymium glass, metal, Photo courtesy of Lucy Lyon; Oben Abright (b. 1980), Gabe, 2009, Blown and cast glass, concrete, copper, Photo courtesy of Wheaton Arts; Ginny Ruffner (1952-2025), Toys of Art History, 1989, Flameworked glass, mixed media, Photo courtesy Wheaton Arts; Judith Schaechter (b. 1961), Fine Example, 2000, Stained, cut, polished, and engraved glass, Photo courtesy of Judith Schaechter
The Museum of American Glass will enhance your experience, where you can discover the craftsmanship of American glass. Inside the museum’s 18,000 square feet of exhibition space, the glimmers of glass fill the space, each piece telling a story of resilience, innovation, and the delicate nature of glass. Its newest exhibition, "Transformations: The Wasserstein Collection of Contemporary Glass," is on display till December 31, 2027, in a large-scale exhibit featuring recent acquisitions. Linda and Henry Wasserstein generously donated the collection as they began to downsize in 2023, offering Wheaton Arts the opportunity to select from their museum-quality collection of contemporary glass, a shared passion of theirs. The Wasserstein Collection is particularly renowned for its emphasis on works that explore the duality of the human spirit's strength and vulnerability.
Highlights from the collection include many renowned glass artists. Oben Abright, based in Oakland, California, uses glass, aluminum, bronze, and other materials to explore human emotion and the complexities of the human condition. His sculptures aim to reveal internal struggles through the transparency of glass, capturing fragility and light. Artist Lucy Lyon, known for her evocative cast glass sculptures, explores themes of solitude and human interaction. Influenced by artists like Edward Hopper, Lyon’s works capture those moments of introspection. Her art is featured in several additional museum collections, including the Imagine Museum in Florida and the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Wisconsin. Toots Zynsky, born Mary Ann Zynsky in 1951 in Boston, Massachusetts, is a renowned American glass artist celebrated for her innovative and colorful vessels. She was among the pioneering students of glass artist Dale Chihuly. Zynsky is best known for developing the "filet-de-verre" technique, which involves layering thousands of fine glass threads to create fused and thermo-formed vessels with rich color palettes and undulating forms. This distinctive method allows her to explore intricate color combinations and textures, resulting in pieces that are both visually striking and tactile.
Originally trained as a painter, Ginny Ruffner was a trailblazing American glass artist known for her inventive lampworking techniques and blending of glass with other materials. Her vibrant, metaphor-rich sculptural style works reside in institutions including the Met, Corning Museum of Glass, and the Smithsonian. Philadelphia-based stained-glass artist Judith Schaechter is known for transforming the traditional medium with bold, contemporary imagery. She blends Gothic, Expressionist, and pop culture influences to create emotionally charged, often unsettling works using engraved and layered glass. One of her standout projects, The Battle of Carnival and Lent, featured 17 stained glass windows installed in Eastern State Penitentiary, exploring themes of confinement and transformation. She continues to redefine stained glass as a powerful, expressive medium.