In 2021, Bullseye Glass Co.'s biennial juried competition for emerging artists, called Emerge, expanded its focus to identify the best of contemporary kiln-glass design, architecture, and art. Under a new name, Tg: Transitions in Kiln-Glass, the competition is open to artists and designers of all levels.
For the last twenty years, Bullseye Glass Co.'s Emerge has highlighted and awarded rising talent in the field of kiln-glass. Through ten competitions, over 380 emerging artists have been showcased in exhibitions and accompanying catalogs. Seventy artists and six academic programs have been supported with awards worth over $70,000. Beginning in 2012, these award-winning artists were also included in touring exhibitions hosted by Bellevue Arts Museum, Chrysler Museum of Art, New Mexico Museum of Art, and Pittsburgh Glass Center.
When Emerge (originally called WG@BE) was developed, kilnforming was a relatively nascent method of glassmaking and the competition was a way to highlight and encourage artists to explore kiln-glass. The transformation of Emerge into Tg: Transitions in Kiln-Glass reflects the vibrant community of kiln-glass artists that has arisen since Emerge was first introduced. Tg: Transitions in Kiln-Glass continues Bullseye's commitment to academic programs and emerging artists by reserving award categories for those in university programs and those who are just beginning to work in the field. In addition to a number of award categories that are open to artists and designers of all levels and processes, two aspects of the kiln-glass landscape will be specifically honored: Design and Architectural Glass are allotted their own award categories, recognizing the remarkable level of work being done in these areas.
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