The 12 Bird: Bird Lovers` Weekend to Feature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 20, 2015
Media Contacts:
Alexandra Carr, 253.284.2130, acarr@museumofglass.org
IMAGE AVAILABLE
The 12th Bird: Bird Lovers’ Weekend to Feature Live Glass Bird-Making, Family
Friendly Activities, and an Appearance by Seattle Seahawks Live Mascot
Tacoma, Wash. — Iittala birds by Oiva Toikka return to Museum
of Glass for the twelfth consecutive year from October 2 to
October 4, 2015. The internationally-renowned glass creations
from Finland’s glass giant Iittala are the focus of Bird Lovers’
Weekend, which will feature events celebrating wild birds.
In addition to special events, Finnish master glassblowers Arto
Lahtinen and Helena Welling will create glass birds designed by
Professor Oiva Toikka in the MOG Hot Shop Friday, October 2,
through Sunday, October 4. Visitors can view a multitude of birds
designed by Professor Toikka on display in the Grand Hall.
Steller’s Jay, designed by Oiva
Toikka, 4.92” x 7.48”
Professor Toikka’s career with the Iittala Company spans 40 years, during which he has designed over 400 glass
birds. Despite the recent closure of the Iittala glass factory in Nuutajärvi, Finland, Finnish glassblowing traditions
have been preserved through the transfer of operations and production to a refurbished Iittala factory in
Helsinki.
The family-friendly Bird Lovers’ Weekend activities are free with paid admission to Museum of Glass. In the spirit
of the 12th anniversary of this collaboration, the weekend will also include a special appearance by the Seattle
Seahawks live mascot, Taima the augur hawk. Visitors are encouraged to have their photo taken with Taima.
Bird lovers can also take a limited-edition Steller’s Jay home to their nest! The newest Birds by Toikka design,
Steller’s Jay, is available exclusively at the Museum of Glass Store in a limited edition of 200. Previous birds by Toikka created for Museum of Glass include American Goldfinch (2004), Pacific Water Fowl
(2005), Spotted Towhee (2006), Red-winged Blackbird (2007), Ruffed Grouse (2008), Swift (2009), Kingfisher
(2010), Woodpecker (2011), Western Tanager (2012), Wood Ducks (2013), and Anna’s Hummingbird (2014).
Events include a variety of art and educational activities during Bird Lovers’ Weekend October 2 – 4:
•
Friday, October 2
o
10 am – 5 pm: Birds by Toikka glass bird-making
demonstrations by Iittala artists in the Hot Shop.
o
Be a Bird Designer
§
Designs accepted all weekend, two winning
drawings (one child’s and one adult’s) to be
selected and created for the winners Sunday by
Lahtinen and Welling. Call 253.284.3009 for
more details or visit museumofglass.org.
•
Saturday, October 3
o
10 am – 5 pm: Birds by Toikka glass bird-making
demonstrations by Iittala artists in the Hot Shop.
o
11 am – 3 pm: Seattle Seahawks live mascot, Taima the
augur hawk appearance!
o
Seattle Seahawks live mascot,
Taima the augur hawk. 1 – 4 pm: Join artist Larry Calkins and celebrate all things Bird-related! Create your own wire
bird sculpture or paint a bird feeder for your garden.
•
Sunday, October 4
o
11 am – 1 pm: Museum of Glass members’ brunch FREE for members. Event will also include
an opportunity to have your bird signed by Iittala artists from 11:30 am to 12 pm.
o
12 – 1 pm: Enjoy a special visit with bird ambassadors from Point Defiance Zoo and
Aquarium!
o
12 – 5 pm: Birds by Toikka glass bird-making demonstrations by Iittala artists in the Hot Shop.
o
2 pm: Question-and-answer with Collectors in the audience of the Hot Shop.
A special Design Your Own Bird activity will also be offered on Thursday, October 1, from 4 to 6 pm to
celebrate the beginning of Bird Lovers’ Weekend, during which participants will come to the Hot Shop floor to
watch Iittala glassmakers Arto Lahtinen and Helena Welling create their own glass bird design. A limited number
of spaces are available at $500 per person; $450 for members. To reserve a space or request more
information, please contact Tom Findlay at tfindlay@museumofglass.org or call 253.284.4734.
Museum of Glass is sponsored in part by City of Tacoma Arts Commission, ArtsFund, The Dimmer Family Foundation, The Greater Tacoma
Community Foundation, The Bamford Foundation, and The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.
Hours and Admission
Museum and Store open Monday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm, Third Thursdays 10 am to 8 pm, and Sundays 12 pm to 5 pm through
September 8, 2015. Open Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays during Fall/Winter/Spring
months, Labor Day through Memorial Day.
Admission is free for members, $15 general, $12 seniors, military and students (13+ with ID), $13 AAA Members, $12 groups of 10 or
more, and $5 for children (6-12) years old. Children under 5 are admitted free. Admission is free every third Thursday of the month from 5
pm to 8 pm. Free admission for active-duty military families from Memorial Day to Labor Day through the Blue Star Museums program.
Info Line 253-284-4750/ 1-866-4MUSEUM
Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock Street Tacoma, WA 98402
www.museumofglass.org
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