Glass Art Society Information

We are the Glass Art Society—a 501c3, non-profit, international organization—with the mission to connect, inspire, and empower all facets of the global glass community. Our long-term vision is to create one unified glass community. OUR VALUES Ensure GAS is a relevant, resilient, and intersectional glass community that is responsive to members' needs Celebrate and elevate the diverse contributions of our global community Nurture our community's growth and wellbeing through positive creativity, the pursuit of knowledge and skills, and sustainable practices Build bridges to create opportunities and break down barriers that block access to opportunities Stand against bigotry, hate, racism, and injustice, wherever we encounter it OUR HISTORY Founded in 1971 by Fritz Dreisbach, Mark Peiser, and William Bernstein, the Glass Art Society was formed out of a desire to bring together the glass community so people could work together and learn from each other. Our founders decided to emulate the National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), a very influential role model for arts organizations. In the 1960s, most glassblowers were also ceramic artists so they attended NCECA’s annual conferences. At the early NCECA meetings, ceramic and glass artists gathered together to share ideas and tricks, and the GAS founders learned many important aspects of how to successfully operate a craft-media organization.