An Italian master comes to Palm Springs

If you like the works of glass sculptor Dale Chihuly, you’ll probably flip over Lino Tagliapietra in Retrospect: A Modern Renaissance in Italian Glass, the show coming to the Palm Springs Art Museum this fall. We don’t usually mention happenings this far ahead, but this show is such a big deal, you’ll want to plan ahead for it.

Tagliapietra is widely revered as the master of glass blowing, a teacher and expert who is credited with shaping the course of international studio glass. This is the first exhibition to provide an overview of Tagliapietra’s work, which has influenced glass centers around the globe.

You’ll marvel at some 169 art works that range from a room-size installation of the 35-piece Endeavor boat series, to groupings of goblets, to elegant and evocative sculptural forms. The exhibition features works from Tagliapietra's own collections and collections around the world. Some of these delicate objects will be on show for the first time anywhere.

There is no doubt Dale Chihuly was familiar with the Italian master’s work: Chihuly studied glass in Venice before founding the Pilchuck Glass School near Stanwood, Washington in 1971; in 1979, he invited the master to demonstrate his techniques at Pilchuk.

Details: Running Sep 26- Dec 27 at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Call 760/322-4800 or visit www.psmuseum.org.

EVENTS: On November 14 and 15, the museum will feature a Mobile Hot Shop, a fully equipped glass blowing studio that was designed by the Tacoma Museum of Glass. The Mobile Hot Shop will offer an interactive glassblowing demonstration from highly skilled artists working with molten glass while a trained commentator explains the art and science of glass. On December 1 at 10:30, Tagliapietra will appear for a panel discussion that is open to the public and includes a tour of the exhibition (admission $10). An optional luncheon with the panelists following the tour will be offered for $75.