Artists and craftsmen have created work for more than a century to establish Indiana as home to remarkable, functional and decorative glass. The Indiana Glass Trail links today’s artists and glass-related attractions, bringing together the tradition and beauty of glass art. From blown glass demonstrations to the oldest glassworks in the United States, glass lovers have plenty to see and do in Indiana!
The Fort Wayne Museum of Art’s Glass Wing opened in 2022 as the result of over a decade of acquiring the most important works of contemporary glass sculpture by the finest practitioners of the art form. With over 300 pieces, the Glass Wing is the largest public collection of contemporary glass sculpture in the state, including works from artists like Harvey Littleton, Dale Chihuly, Therman Statom, and more.
Delaware County
Muncie has a rich history of glass, starting with the Ball Brothers whose “Ball Canning Jars” became a household name. The Glick Center for Glass at Ball State offers glass curriculum for students, 3 glass furnaces, glass blowing, cold shop, and studios. There is also the Albany Glass Museum, which houses pressed glass patterns from 1893-1903.
The Carmel Arts & Design District showcases the works of many talented glass artists. Located in the heart of Old Town Carmel, Indiana, the Arts & Design District is the Midwest’s premier arts and design destination. It is home to interior designers, art galleries, showrooms, restaurants, antique stores, and a variety of specialty retail shops.
Explore the rich heritage and long-standing tradition of Kokomo Opalescent Glass, America’s oldest art glass company, in operation in its original location since 1888. You can experience art glass that is hand-ladled and rolled from a 2,500-degree furnace and watch artists make stunning blown glass creations on a fascinating factory tour.
The Glass Museum in Dunkirk has over 8,000 pieces of glassware from 110 factories around the world. Explore a variety of artifacts including pieces from the Sistine Chapel, leaded glass windows, hanging lamps, hundreds of hand-blown and hand-pressed glass creations, and a leaded glass mural.
Warsaw Cut Glass is one of the last American facilities practicing the art of cutting glass, perhaps the only one using its original building and turn of the last century machinery. Locally owned since 1911 and located in downtown Warsaw, it’s one of the last U.S. companies cutting glass in its original building with vintage machinery offering distinctive hand-cut crystal gifts.
Glass, in its most basic, everyday form, is utilitarian, a commodity. However, when guided by skilled hands it becomes art, rare and beautiful. Whether a spiral lifting skyward, a treasure commemorating a loved one, or a dome of color, Madison County boasts some amazing examples at Carol’s Legacy Crystal, Anderson Museum of Art, Anderson University, and the annual Elwood Glass Festival.
Richmond is home to a collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows. The Reid Center (formerly Reid Presbyterian Church) boasts 62 Tiffany windows. Reid is thought to be one of only ten churches in the country which have all Tiffany windows.
