Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is delighted to announce the upcoming exhibition, “Farm to Flame: The Artwork of Gene Koss,” on view from September 20, 2024 to February 9, 2025. Born in the community of Mindoro, Wisconsin to a farming family, Koss takes his artistic inspiration from the labors of farming as well as the agricultural implements that make it possible.
“It is an honor to showcase the work of Gene Koss, a pioneer in the glass world with significant roots both in Wisconsin and in the national glass world,” says Amy G. Moorefield, Executive Director. His first solo exhibition in Wisconsin, “Farm to Flame” highlights artwork spanning the artist’s career in glass, including recent large-scale sculpture that speaks to his agrarian and industrial roots. “Gene’s sculpture will be exhibited in two galleries, as well as the park and lake lawns of the museum grounds. And programming is being scheduled to coincide with the Wisconsin Science Festival,” says Casey Eichhorn, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions. The Museum will publish a 60-page, full-color catalogue of Koss’ work for the occasion of the exhibition.
Koss was first exposed to glass as an art medium while studying at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. After obtaining his Master of Fine Arts degree at Tyler School of Art at Temple University, he started the glass program at Tulane University and brought the movement of glass art to New Orleans. Retiring from teaching this year, he continues to use steel and glass to create monumental works of glass art. Working with serial cast glass parts to enlarge scale and combining these elements with iron and steel, he has raised glass sculpture to the realm of public art. His work has had a profound impact on American artists working in both steel and glass media.
Koss is the recipient of numerous awards including the National Endowment for the Arts; the New Orleans Community Arts Award; and Pace-Willson Art Foundation grants. His work is included in numerous private collections and has been displayed in museums and galleries throughout the United States and abroad, including the International Biennale for Contemporary Art in Florence, Italy, and has been featured in International Glass Art, Contemporary Glass-Color, Light & Form and Glass Art from Urban Glass publications. Koss is represented by Arthur Roger Gallery in New Orleans, LA.
Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is grateful to Exhibition Lead Sponsor, The Boldt Company, and our seasonal sponsors: Miron Construction, Community First Credit Union, The Boldt Company, Northstar Asset Management, Associated Bank, Jeweler’s Mutual, City of Neenah, WI, Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc., Bergstrom Automotive, Legacy Private Trust Company, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, and by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Media sponsorships courtesy of Wisconsin Public Radio and 91.1 The Avenue.
About Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
Ranked in the top five glass museums in the country, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass provides extraordinary glass experiences to spark fun, kindle creativity, and illuminate learning for all. Established in 1959, it has been an exclusively glass art museum since 2012, with four permanent collections: the world’s most representative collection of antique and contemporary glass paperweights, the Mahler collection of Germanic vessels dating from 1573, a collection of Victorian Era decorative glass baskets, and a significant collection of contemporary glass sculpture.
The museum is admission free and operates as a private, not for profit, 501(c)(3) organization, independent of the City of Neenah. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass has the distinction of being accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The honor of accreditation means the museum meets the rigorous standards of professionalism and best practices for museums set forth by AAM.
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10:00am–4:30pm
Thursdays 10:00am–8:00pm and Sunday 1:00–4:30pm
Admission: Free
