Imagining a better world

What do you do when your children tell you there is too much glass art on display at home? US-based prolific glass artist, collector and entrepreneur Trish Duggan decided the answer was to open a museum. Linda Banks finds out more.

You are an artist, entrepreneur and philanthropist. What led you to start working with glass?

When I saw a sculpture that seemed to have so much energy reflecting off it, I asked what material was used to create it. The answer was glass! I became a collector of glass sculptures and was then asked if I wanted to see how these cast glass pieces were created. I was thrilled to have the opportunity and so mesmerised with what I imagined was molten lava that I asked if I could make a piece.

What glass techniques have you used, and which do you prefer?

The technique in glass that I prefer is glass casting. I’m the only artist who carves a wood block, makes several prints and then presses that woodblock into sand or ground up olivine. Then I ladle the 2,100°F glass into that indentation after coating it with acetylene using a torch!

I also enjoy fusing four panels of glass together. They are then etched with various artistic themes and even quotes to inspire the observer. For example, in the museum I opened there is an entire wall full of fused glass panels of famous women with famous quotes.

You realised your vision of founding the Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art in Florida, USA. What drove this ambition and were there challenges along the way?

I opened Imagine Museum after I had adopted six children – most out of foster care – and my five boys told me I had too much glass in the house! I joked with them and said, “Well, ok, then I think I’ll have a museum!” They were rolling on the floor laughing and telling me what a wild mom I was. Two weeks later, I purchased an abandoned charter school and turned it into a contemporary glass museum. I’ve received the Tampa Bay Magazine “Museum of the Year” award for 2024 and for 2025!

Please tell us more about your creative approach. Do you draw your ideas out or dive straight in with the materials?

I spend time drawing every week! My mind is like a hurricane continuously full of artistic ideas. I work with an incredible team, including Sam Brewster and her daughters Casi and Brittany, and others!

What message(s) do you want to convey through your art?

I convey many messages through my glass art! I have an entire hallway of glass vases etched with the words serenity and beauty in 24 different languages. I truly believe that every single person from any different background can experience beauty and serenity!

What is your favourite tool or piece of equipment and why?

My favourite tool is the ladle for scooping and pouring the red-hot glass. In Sweden, where I collaborated with Bertil Vallien, the most famous cast glass artist, his team lifted the ladles up high in the air and clanked them together before casting!

Of course, I also love my Japanese carving tools that I began using in high school. My Japanese art teacher gave me a blue ribbon for all my woodblock prints. Now I have made 24 different flower prints and each has a blue glass window to match it.

Do you have a favourite piece or collection you have made? Why is it your favourite?

My current favourite collection I’ve created is my 1,000 alien series, which is made in glow-in-the-dark uranium glass! The former head of the Department of Defense from Canada, Paul Hellyer, stated publicly that “we’ve known that four races of aliens have been visiting Earth for thousands of years”. I created four races of aliens! I’ve also done 70 black-and-white fused and etched glass panels of UFOs. It’s time for DISCLOSURE! I have had an experience with a UFO!

Where do you show and sell your work?

I show and sell my glass creations at my museum. I also show my work in the US Embassy in New Delhi, India, and several buildings in Washington DC.

Do you have a career highlight?

The highlight of my artistic career was when my boys told me I had too much glass in the house and I joked with them about opening a museum. Then, two weeks later, I signed on the line at a bank and purchased that charter school that had closed. I turned it into a unique and thrilling museum highlighting more than 150 American glass artists. The purpose is to uplift and inspire all who come for a visit. The most exciting aspect of the museum project was that I was able to design it myself and choose the stunning collection for others to enjoy.

Where is your creative practice heading next?

My creativity is never ending! I am overloaded with spectacular ideas. I am currently working on a series of Presidents and American icons. I’m also making a series of angels. After that, I will make a series of glass cubes with flowers, leaves and vines for a show in Costa Rica where we will be building the Peace Museum dedicated to Nobel Peace Prize winners. My goal is to inspire people to think about how they can create peace in the world by starting with creating peace in their own lives!

And finally…

From my personal viewpoint, I think it is extremely important for each person to find their creative expression. One of my favourite quotes is from Albert Einstein, who stated, “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. Let’s all imagine a future full of compassion, understanding, love and peace!

Find out more about Trish Duggan and her artistic practice via her website.

Main feature image: ‘Goddess of Compassion Wall’ by Trish Duggan. All images courtesy of the artist.