Lino Tagliapietra Recognized internationally as the Maestro (Master) of contemporary glass, Italian artist Lino Tagliapietra’s peers consider him the greatest glassblower of all time. Starting at the age of 11 as an apprentice on the island of Murano, which neighbors Venice in the Venetian Lagoon, he earned the title of Maestro in his early 20s while working for one of the most prestigious glassworks companies in the world. During the 1960s Tagliapietra began developing works that would become the basis for his iconic personal style. He splits his time between Murano and Seattle, Washington. Tagliapietra’s blown and fused glassworks demonstrate a stunning combination of technically complex production skills and incredible creativity. Now in his 80s, he brings over seven decades of experience to his craft. He utilizes several traditional Murano glassblowing techniques including Avventurina, Filigrana, Millefiori, Murrine and Vetro a Ghiaccio among others. Avventurina, which is distinguished by its appearance of sparkling particles inside translucent glass, was developed in the 17th century on Murano. Early uses of the word describe “a kind of stone with gilt stars inside.” The long and delicate process to make these works results in pieces foliated and sparkling from bits of gold, copper, or chromic oxide crystal inside. Filigrana or filigree glass is blown glass made with colorless, white, and sometimes colored canes in complex, thread-like, linear patterns on the vessel’s interior. Millefiori, which references a flower field, refers to Venetian mosaic glass made from preformed elements placed in a mold and heated until fused. Murrine indicates slices of a composite cane that creates a cross-section pattern. Vetro a Ghiaccio or Ice Glass is named after the decorative effect of visible “cracks” on a piece similar to fractured ice. To create the effect, the hot glass is put into cold water and quickly and carefully returned to the kiln. Tagliapietra’s expertise in these myriad techniques leads to perfect execution and aesthetic innovation in his work. Known for his graceful forms, intricate linework and palette, and masterful techniques, Tagliapietra created a massive shift in the Studio Glass Movement when he accepted an invitation to teach at Pilchuck Glass School. His openness with Murano’s historically closely guarded techniques, accessibility, and willingness to innovate with tradition, have made a significant impact on future generations of glass artists. Regarding his creation process, Tagliapietra says, “...suddenly a little ‘flame’ lights up; I do not know from where... It reaches me in the morning...while talking to people or staring at a painting or piece of fabric or reading a book. Then I have to decorate the idea with colors, design, and art.” He sees the materials of glass itself as inspiration saying, “Glass is alive. Even when it is cool it is still moving. It is connected with fire, it is connected with water, it is...my life.” Tagliapietra’s work is featured in numerous museum collections throughout the world such as Corning Museum of Glass, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The DeYoung Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, the Metropolitan Museum, and numerous others. His list of accolades include honorary doctorate degrees from Kentucky’s Centre College and Ohio State University, a Distinguished Educator Award from the James Renwick Alliance of Washington, D.C., the Phoenix Award from Venice, Italy, the Rakow Commission for Excellence in Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass and an UrbanGlass Award for Preservation of Glassblowing Techniques.