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Museum of Glass: A Tacoma Treasure

Experience the magic of glass art at Tacoma's Museum of Glass, featuring live demonstrations and stunning exhibitions.

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The Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, is a 75,000-square-foot contemporary art museum dedicated to the medium of glass [2]. Since opening in 2002, it has been a space for celebrating the studio glass movement, nurturing artists, and encouraging creativity [2]. The museum's iconic 90-foot-tall stainless steel cone houses the world's largest Hot Shop Amphitheater, where visitors can watch live glassblowing demonstrations [3].

A brief summary to Museum of Glass

  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for the Hot Shop demonstration schedule to witness live glassblowing.
  • Explore the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a pedestrian overpass featuring stunning glass art installations.
  • Take a guided tour to learn more about the artwork and the glassmaking process [17].
  • Visit on the third Thursday of the month for free admission from 5-8pm [5, 16].
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Tacoma, the Museum of Glass is accessible via the Tacoma Link light rail [4, 9, 14]. Take the T Line to Union Station; the museum is a short walk across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass [4, 9]. The fare is free [14]. Several bus routes also stop near the museum [4, 11]. Check Pierce Transit for specific routes and schedules; a single ride costs $2 [6].

  • Walking

    From the Tacoma Dome area, the Museum of Glass is approximately a 39-minute walk [11]. Head west on E 26th St toward E D St, turn left onto E D St, then turn left onto Dock St. The museum will be on the right [4]. Alternatively, from downtown Tacoma, you can walk across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, which provides a direct pedestrian connection to the museum [2, 3].

  • Driving

    From I-5, take Exit 133 for I-705 [4]. Follow signs for East 26th Street/Tacoma Dome. Turn right onto East 26th Street, then left onto East D Street. Proceed to the third light and turn left onto Dock Street; the Museum of Glass will be on the right [4]. On-site underground parking is available; enter on Dock Street at the northwest corner, next to the loading dock [4]. Rates are $2 for 0-1 hours, $6 for 1-3 hours, and $12 for all day [4]. Limited paid on-street parking is also available [4].

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Discover more about Museum of Glass

The Museum of Glass (MOG) in Tacoma, Washington, stands as a premier contemporary art museum dedicated to glass and glassmaking [5, 12]. Since its establishment in 2002, the museum has been a catalyst for change in Tacoma, revitalizing the Thea Foss Waterway and creating a thriving arts and culture center [12]. The museum's architecture, designed by Arthur Erickson, is striking, with a 90-foot-tall stainless steel cone that houses the Hot Shop Amphitheater [2, 3]. This space allows visitors to witness live glassblowing demonstrations, offering a glimpse into the intricate process of creating glass art [3, 26]. The Hot Shop also hosts residencies for visiting artists, contributing to the development of individual careers and the global glass art community [13]. The Museum of Glass features a variety of exhibitions, including the 20th and 21st Century Glass Collection, the Kids Design Glass Collection, and the Visiting Artist Residency Program Collection [2]. These exhibitions showcase the diverse possibilities of glass as an art medium [3]. The Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a 500-foot-long pedestrian overpass, connects the museum to downtown Tacoma, displaying thousands of glassworks by Dale Chihuly [17, 25]. Beyond exhibitions, the Museum of Glass offers educational programs, workshops, and tours [3, 10]. The Education Studio provides a space for visitors to create their own art, while the theater hosts lectures and film screenings [3].

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