Gathering

A lavishly illustrated book highlighting some of the best works of contemporary studio glass The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts, is the oldest continually operating museum in the United States and has been collecting glass art and objects since its founding in 1799. Celebrating Carl and Betty Pforzheimer's landmark gift of 220 works of studio glass, this publication positions PEM as a significant American destination for contemporary glass. Two essays contextualize the Pforzheimers' gift within the 225-year trajectory of PEM's glass collecting and the larger history of international and American glass movements. Accompanying the essays is a lavishly illustrated catalog of seventy highlighted artworks punctuated with object entries and quotes that center artists and their practice. By showcasing the works and contributions of the influential artists represented in the collection, the publication reinforces the Pforzheimers' close relationships with artists as the foundation of their collecting practice.