We are excited to offer an incredible selection of opportunities for this year’s conference attendees to make new connections, explore the area, and advance their careers.
There are a lot of new and free activities this year, but space is limited for many of them. You’ll want to register early to make sure your spot is saved.
Please note: The GAS Conference in Corning, NY is now completely sold out.
Events
Stained Glass, Grapes, and the Finger Lakes | Tuesday, June 2, 9 am – 4 pm
Shuttle pickup at the Corning Museum of Glass
Our journey begins at St. Januarius Church, a modern architectural gem that reflects the spirit and landscape of the region. Designed by architect Jim Johnson, the church’s floor plan echoes the shape of a grape leaf. Its most distinctive feature is the dalle de verre façade- walls of concrete embedded with richly colored glass pieces representing local grape varieties.
Next, we travel to Garrett Memorial Chapel, where light and artistry merge in one of the Finger Lakes’ most serene settings. Built in the early 1930s, the chapel’s stained-glass windows are among its most treasured features- crafted by the renowned Judson Studios of Los Angeles. These luminous designs include the final works of Frederick Wilson, completed in 1929, marking the close of an extraordinary stained-glass career.
We’ll conclude the day at Bully Hill Vineyards, nestled in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Established nearly 150 years ago by master cooper Walter Taylor, Bully Hill continues the area’s winemaking legacy with a warm, welcoming spirit. Enjoy a tasting of their signature wines and a relaxing meal overlooking the vineyards- a perfect finish to a day celebrating art, architecture, and the beauty of the Finger Lakes.
Tickets are $195 per person.
Firestarter | Tuesday, June 2, 6-9 pm
Grist Iron Brewing Company, Burdett, NY
Join us before the official conference festivities for a fun evening at Grist Iron Brewing Company and enjoy the gorgeous sunset over Seneca Lake. Reunite with glassy friends from around the world and put your opening bids in for our Glass Class Auction!
Grist Iron is approximately half an hour away from Corning and round-trip shuttle tickets between Corning and Grist Iron are available for $10.
GAS Member: $50 per ticket
Non GAS Members: $75 per ticket
Art of the Cemetery: Ghosts of Glassmaking | Wednesday, June 3 at 10 am
Join The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes on Wednesday June 3, 2026 at 10am as we explore 3 cemeteries and visit the graves of both well-known and lesser-known glass specialists throughout the history of Corning.
Corning is known as the Crystal City because of its vast history of glass production and innovation. Names such as Hawkes Glass, Frederick Carder, and the Houghton Family stand out among our prolific glass history, but have you ever heard of the Giometti Brothers, Eggington’s Glass Cutting Shop, or Mary Purcell Roche?
On this special glass-themed cemetery tour guides will lead visitors through St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hope Cemetery, and Hope Annex to discuss the history of glassmaking in the Corning region through the men, women, and businesses that have made it possible. At each stop, we will detail the history of the glassmakers and innovators as well as discuss the art on the gravestones we visit.
Please be sure to dress for a trek over uneven ground. Some sites will be flat and others will be hilly.
Tickets are $30 per person
Photo credit: Lee Speary Photography
Corning Walking Tour | Wednesday, June 3 at 11 am and 1 pm
Known as the Crystal City, Corning is home to the world famous Corning Incorporated and has a rich glassmaking history that stretches back to 1868! Explore the art, science, and innovation that put Corning on the map during a walking tour of the town.
Tickets are $20 per person.
Consideration of Sacred Spaces for Site Evaluation (Field Session) | Wednesday, June 3, 9 am – 1 pm
Presented by Bryant J. Stanton, Stanton Studios & David Bleckman, J&R Lamb Studios; Christ Episcopal Church, 33 E. First Street, Corning, NY, 14830
This afternoon seminar will delve into the nuanced and respectful approach to stained glass restoration in sacred spaces. Too often, these cherished sites receive unsolicited bids and proposals hastily declaring “urgent” issues. This seminar aims to shift that narrative by providing a crash course in honest restoration sales.
Sacred spaces deserve more than a quick fix. Stained glass restoration is rarely a matter of life or death; instead, it involves a slow, incremental process. Thoughtful consideration and careful evaluation often yield better results, allowing communities the time to strategically prepare for preservation efforts that align with their financial capabilities and long-term goals.
Key topics of discussion will include:
•Honest assessments versus urgent scare tactics
•The incremental nature of stained glass deterioration
•Practical stop-gap repairs to buy time
•Small, manageable efforts that support preservation goals
This seminar emphasizes the importance of patience and strategic planning in preservation, reinforcing that there is no immediate crisis demanding hasty action. By attending, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how great restoration work takes time and how we can contribute to building a solid foundation for future efforts. Join us to learn how to be a better part of the preservation process, ensuring that sacred spaces continue to be cherished for generations to come.
Tickets are $95 per person.
Corning Incorporated Headquarters Tours | Friday, June 5 at 5:30 pm
Enjoy a rare opportunity to tour the 11 monumental glass sculptures located in Corning Incorporated’s global headquarters! Featuring art by: Peter Aldridge, Dale Chihuly, Erwin Eisch, Rury Iwata, Stanislav Libenský & Jaroslava Brychtová, Donald Lipski, William Morris, Therman Statom, Bertil Valien, Harumi Yukutake, and Dana Zámečníková.
This tour has two groups that will be touring at the same time.
Tickets are $100 per person.
Gaffer’s Pour | Friday, June 5, 5-8 pm
Gaffer District, Corning, NY
Corning’s Gaffer District is proud to partner with the Glass Art Society Conference to present a sommelier-curated Craft Beverage & Wine Tasting experience. Guests and community members are invited to sip exceptional craft beverages and wines while exploring artisans, local shops, and galleries throughout Corning’s Gaffer District.
Check-in will begin at 4 PM. Tastings will take place from 5 – 8 PM. Get your tickets early! Early tickets are $35. Tickets will increase to $40 on April 15th and $50 on June 4th.
All attendees must check-in to have their ID checked and be given their tasting glass.
Checkin locations to be announced!
Please visit www.gafferdistrict.com for further details.
Alfred University | Sunday, June 7 10 am – 5 pm
Come spend a day at Alfred University’s New York State College of Ceramics! Explore their inspiring spaces—tour the School of Art and Design/NYSCC Galleries and Scholes Library, step inside the Hall of Glass Science Engineering Lab for glass melting and properties demonstrations and experience the excitement of their Glass Studios in Sculpture Dimensional Studies (Hot Shop, Casting Shop, and Neon Studio). Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Tickets are $95 per person.
Free Activities
Global Bead Bench
Thursday, June 4, 12 – 2 pm, Studio Flame Shop
Sign up for a 15-minute torch session to make a bead or pendant to be added to this group project in support of The International Society of Glass Beadmakers.
A basic tool kit, mandrels, torches, kilns and a limited selection of both soda-lime and borosilicate glass will be provided.
Please indicate if you intend to work with soda-lime or borosilicate glass.
Soda-lime glass supplied by Frantz Art Glass
Borosilicate glass supplied by ABR Imagery
Bottle Battle: Roman Bottle Competition
Thursday, June 4 5–8 PM | Summer Stage
Glass. Fire. A race against Time! Its the 2nd Roman Bottle Competition!
Marking its return for the first time in a decade, the Roman Bottle Competition was last held at the Studio’s 20th anniversary — and now returns for its 30th! An Ancient form meets modern makers as they go head to head to claim victory for the battle of the bottles!
Inspired by the incredible and ingenuity of ancient Roman glassmakers, the Roman Bottle Competition transforms one of glass history’s earliest vessel forms into a high-intensity, live challenge. The Corning Museum of Glass is home to one of the world’s Most extensive collections of ancient glass, and this event sparks a direct line between past innovation and contemporary furnace glassblowing.
Glassmakers, one by one, will have just a few minutes to shape molten glass into a Roman-style bottle. Every second counts and speed meets precision. Artists are assessed based on time, execution, and quality, alongside overall design presence. The event will be judged by Bill Gudenrath, Chris Giordano, Cat Burns, and Michael Beahm, with audience reaction and performance energy being an important part of the score as well. The crowd is the final gauge of impact.
This is not just making — it’s making under pressure!
Cut to the Chase: Glass Cutting Competition
Thursday, June 4 5–8 PM | CMoG Courtyard
Think you’ve got steady hands and a good eye? Put your glass cutting skills to the test in the first-ever SGAA Cutting Competition at GAS!
How It Works:
You’ll receive a pattern, tools, and a time limit. Cut and fit as many pieces as possible, as accurately as possible, before the clock runs out. Partners are randomly assigned at check-in, and fair warning: this competition comes with a few surprises. Judges evaluate on completion, accuracy, cohesive fit, and edge quality.
There will be prizes awarded! Come watch even if you don’t compete. The MC keeps things entertaining, and you’ll learn something watching skilled cutters work under pressure no matter what your experience level in stained glass may be.
Bead Dating
Thursday, June 4 5–8 pm | CMoG West Bridge
Are you a bead maker or have you ever been curious about beads? Here’s your chance to learn, laugh, and ask questions with some of the most established beadmakers today.
How it works:
- Bring a bead of your choice or borrow a bead from the bowl at the entrance.
- Hold the bead and ask anything – technique, colors or about the artist!
- Each participant will have 2 minutes to share the techniques used in their piece. Real or imagined.
- When you hear the buzzer, time to meet the next in line.
Join the ISGB for this fun filled educational event sharing skills across disciplines and creating new opportunities to use in your own work.
Sign up by May 25, 2026 to secure your spot! NO beadmaking experience necessary. Just a love of glass and willingness to meet new glassy friends. Enjoy the chance to mingle and ask questions too!
Murrine Meltdown: Live Hot Shop Competition
Friday, June 5, 1 – 4 pm | Summer Stage
Think you can create something stunning in just 20 minutes?
Murrine Meltdown is a light-hearted glassblowing competition celebrating creativity, skill, and quick thinking at the GAS Conference in Corning.
Competitors are challenged to blow a glass piece using Tabitha’s murrine within a strict 20-minute time limit. Artists must work with only 2–3 small gathers, and the final piece must be fully created within the time window.
The first part of the competition will happen before the event – participants will be selected in advance. To participate, complete this form, including your resume and examples of your work by May 7.
Submissions will be jury reviewed and five finalists will be selected to compete live at the conference. Each finalist will receive their chosen murrine in advance to practice with before the event.
During the competition, contestants will be evaluated on: Skills, Style, Communication, Creativity, Assembly, and the Final piece.
The winner will receive a $1,000 prize, awarded at the end of the GAS Conference.
If you enjoy a challenge and want to show what you can do with limited time and materials, we encourage you to apply!
More Activity Sign-ups Coming Soon:
Student Blow Slots
Friday, June 5, 9 am – 12 pm
Saturday, June 6, 9 am – 1:30 pm
Artist Portfolio Reviews
Friday, June 5, 11 am – 2 pm