History of the Bay Area Glass Institute
The Bay Area Glass Institute, affectionately known as BAGI, was founded by four San Jose State University (SJSU) students in 1996: Mike Binnard, Bobby Bowes, Mariko Takada, and Jonathan Tepperman.
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No longer students at SJSU, the founders of BAGI needed a hot-shop to work in. The first BAGI hot-shop was located in Bobby Bowes' backyard/garage. It was the founders' collective idea to create a glassblowing studio that they could rent out as well as to serve as a gathering place for fellow glass artists.
Why create a glass art institute? In addition to being an affordable work space for local glass blowers, fusers and torch workers, it's also a public education facility. The goal is to provide a way for the public to become familiar with fine art glass and the processes used to make it. In addition, BAGI supports established local artists as well as beginning level students in their efforts to further their glass working careers and/or journeys. |
1996-2016
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch®
They soon realized that they needed to expand their efforts of having a fully operational glass blowing facility that the public would benefit from as well. With this realization came the creation of the now popular Great Glass Pumpkin Patch®. The first Great Glass Pumpkin Patch was held at the Palo Alto Art Center (PAAC) where a group of glass artists sold their hand-crafted glass pumpkins. While the event generated income for the studio... it more importantly generated public interest in art glass and BAGI's role as a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit Bay Area Glass Art Education facility.
All these years later, BAGI, the Palo Alto Art Center and the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation are still the original Great Glass Pumpkin Patch's organizers. This event is a well-loved Bay Area favorite, and a tradition, for many. It takes place in the fall with a week-long exhibition and weekend glass sale where thousands of patrons buy beautiful glass pumpkins.
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch®
They soon realized that they needed to expand their efforts of having a fully operational glass blowing facility that the public would benefit from as well. With this realization came the creation of the now popular Great Glass Pumpkin Patch®. The first Great Glass Pumpkin Patch was held at the Palo Alto Art Center (PAAC) where a group of glass artists sold their hand-crafted glass pumpkins. While the event generated income for the studio... it more importantly generated public interest in art glass and BAGI's role as a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit Bay Area Glass Art Education facility.
All these years later, BAGI, the Palo Alto Art Center and the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation are still the original Great Glass Pumpkin Patch's organizers. This event is a well-loved Bay Area favorite, and a tradition, for many. It takes place in the fall with a week-long exhibition and weekend glass sale where thousands of patrons buy beautiful glass pumpkins.
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch at Palo Alto Art Center.
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1997-2002
The Great Glass Egg Hunt
Expanding on the enormous public interest in the pumpkin patch, BAGI embarked on a spring event with the Triton Museum, located in Santa Clara, CA.
With the participation of San Jose State University students majoring in the glass arts, a diverse Easter theme of hand-blown eggs, flowers, bunnies and more was presented. Profits from the sale of many of the items provided funds for weekend public classes and scholarships for young glass students at BAGI.
The Great Glass Egg Hunt
Expanding on the enormous public interest in the pumpkin patch, BAGI embarked on a spring event with the Triton Museum, located in Santa Clara, CA.
With the participation of San Jose State University students majoring in the glass arts, a diverse Easter theme of hand-blown eggs, flowers, bunnies and more was presented. Profits from the sale of many of the items provided funds for weekend public classes and scholarships for young glass students at BAGI.
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1997-2016
Christmas Ornaments
In 1998, in cooperation with the Fairmont Hotel of San Jose, BAGI bedecked a twelve-foot Christmas tree with a dazzling array of ornaments. This was the start of a yearly event every December held at their studio, and now including Santana Row shopping center.
In 2016 we will be giving live glassblowing demonstrations using our new mobile hotshop at the Santana Row ornament sale.
Christmas Ornaments
In 1998, in cooperation with the Fairmont Hotel of San Jose, BAGI bedecked a twelve-foot Christmas tree with a dazzling array of ornaments. This was the start of a yearly event every December held at their studio, and now including Santana Row shopping center.
In 2016 we will be giving live glassblowing demonstrations using our new mobile hotshop at the Santana Row ornament sale.
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1999-2003
Visiting Artists Demonstrations
BAGI brings local, national and international artists to the facility to teach and to interact with the local community. The program has brought local artists and students in contact with some of the most innovative artists working today and those interactions have inspired both the students and the artists to create new work.
In addition to being hands-on with students, the visiting artists spend time with patrons and the local community to talk about their art and demonstrate their process in the studio.
Since 2008, BAGI has hosted Laura Donefer, Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles, Jay Macdonell, Randy Walker, John de Wit, Boyd Sugiki and Lisa Zerkowitz, Afro Celotto, Richard Royal, Charles Savoie, Martin Janecky, Michael Janis, and Marc Petrovic.
Visiting artists have come from Japan, Italy, and Canada to perform demonstrations at BAGI. and we plan on bringing more artists to BAGI.
Visiting Artists Demonstrations
BAGI brings local, national and international artists to the facility to teach and to interact with the local community. The program has brought local artists and students in contact with some of the most innovative artists working today and those interactions have inspired both the students and the artists to create new work.
In addition to being hands-on with students, the visiting artists spend time with patrons and the local community to talk about their art and demonstrate their process in the studio.
Since 2008, BAGI has hosted Laura Donefer, Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles, Jay Macdonell, Randy Walker, John de Wit, Boyd Sugiki and Lisa Zerkowitz, Afro Celotto, Richard Royal, Charles Savoie, Martin Janecky, Michael Janis, and Marc Petrovic.
Visiting artists have come from Japan, Italy, and Canada to perform demonstrations at BAGI. and we plan on bringing more artists to BAGI.
Davide Salvadore
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Pamina Traylor
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2001
BAGI moves from Bobby Bowes' backyard to an industrial space in San Jose Japantown.
BAGI moves from Bobby Bowes' backyard to an industrial space in San Jose Japantown.
2003-2007
Farmer’s Market
Devised to allow our artists a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of pieces based on fruit and vegetables, the farmer’s market showcased the individual talents that make BAGI a unique arts organization.
Proceeds benefited programs at the Triton Museum of Art, ArtReach in hospitals, and program development at BAGI.
Farmer’s Market
Devised to allow our artists a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of pieces based on fruit and vegetables, the farmer’s market showcased the individual talents that make BAGI a unique arts organization.
Proceeds benefited programs at the Triton Museum of Art, ArtReach in hospitals, and program development at BAGI.
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2002 - 2012
Annual Great Glass Auction
The auction was initiated as a key component of BAGI’s metamorphosis into a vibrant and critical part of the arts community. BAGI’s role of a catalyst, mixing together artists, students, patrons and the general public.
Steven Aldrich, Board President
The Auction has been an essential part of our outreach and fundraising effort for ten years.
The event contributed one-quarter of our operating budget and allows us to continue many of our outreach programs, bringing outstanding artists to the facility to teach local artists and meet patrons. It also supports a student scholarship to attend each of BAGI's Visiting Artist master classes. Each year world-renowned glass collectors Dorothy and George Saxe offered a fellowship to the artist whose work was deemed most outstanding by jury.
Annual Great Glass Auction
The auction was initiated as a key component of BAGI’s metamorphosis into a vibrant and critical part of the arts community. BAGI’s role of a catalyst, mixing together artists, students, patrons and the general public.
Steven Aldrich, Board President
The Auction has been an essential part of our outreach and fundraising effort for ten years.
The event contributed one-quarter of our operating budget and allows us to continue many of our outreach programs, bringing outstanding artists to the facility to teach local artists and meet patrons. It also supports a student scholarship to attend each of BAGI's Visiting Artist master classes. Each year world-renowned glass collectors Dorothy and George Saxe offered a fellowship to the artist whose work was deemed most outstanding by jury.
L: Jack Dopler Ceremonial Basket #11
R: Mariko Takada |
L: Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen Playing with Fire
R: Peter Layton |
2015
BAGI Glass Pumpkin Patch at Santana Row
Because of popular demand, in 2015 a second patch was added at Santana Row shopping center in San Jose.
BAGI Glass Pumpkin Patch at Santana Row
Because of popular demand, in 2015 a second patch was added at Santana Row shopping center in San Jose.
The BAGI Glass Pumpkin Patch at Santana Row.
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2016
New Facilities
Our Japantown landlord sold the property and and 400 housing units are being built. Commercial properties in the valley are expensive, and were also potential redevelopment candidates, meaning we'd likely have to move again down the road. BAGI forges a relationship with History San Jose, and moves to a new facility in the park.
New Facilities
Our Japantown landlord sold the property and and 400 housing units are being built. Commercial properties in the valley are expensive, and were also potential redevelopment candidates, meaning we'd likely have to move again down the road. BAGI forges a relationship with History San Jose, and moves to a new facility in the park.
