
Perusing the 780 articles I’ve written over the past decade, a pattern emerged: I reeeeeally like glass art. Like, LOVE it. Whether the glass is in buildings, in galleries and museums, in stained glass form, in paperweights — wherever! — those bold, translucent glass colors bowl me over every time.
In honor of this glass love, for the first time I’m compiling here all of my decorative glass art articles together for your clicking pleasure. Enjoy!
Decorative Glass Art
Love the beauty glass can create? Browse these examples of decorative glass art from around the world -- from museums, to galleries, to architecture.
Chihuly Glass Museum, Seattle: a BEAUTIFUL Art Exhibit!
The most famous name in glass art is Dale Chihuly, and the Seattle, Washington museum, Chihuly Garden and Glass is THE place to travel to be awed by world-class glass exhibits.
I LOVE the Corning Glass Museum in the Finger Lakes, NY
Tied for the Chihuly museum in Seattle is the home base of functional and beautiful glass: The Corning Museum of Glass in New York State, an hour from Ithaca in the Finger Lakes region of NY. This is one of my favorite exhibits of decorative glass in the world, and includes an extensive amount of Corningware: nostalgic and historic cooking dishes.
Best of Rhode Island Lighthouses: Block Island Southeast Light
You may not think of lighthouses when picturing artistic glass, but the Southeast Light on famed Block Island, RI is one a stunning examples of what glass can do... rainbows, refraction, and reverse reflection included!
Drool Over This Art Gallery's Creative Crafts in PA
Wandering local galleries is wonderful, and the pieces in this Ligonier, Pennsylvania shop are a sight to behold -- especially the decorative glass orbs.
Glass Making Classes: Beads and More
Glass beads look dainty and delicate, but to create them, it turned out we needed to use flaming torches! See photos and video of the workshop we did at Touchstone Center for Crafts to make this lovely glass jewelry.
Why See the Minneapolis Skyway and Skyline?
I was wowed from head to toe by the use of glass in the Minneapolis architecture scene -- from the Skyway network of raised pedestrian bridges to the unique skyscrapers.
Kylemore Abbey, Ireland: Surprising Beauty and History
Enjoy stained glass? The cathedral at this famed attraction in Ireland is worth a look. Our baby's expression in the photo says it all.
What Would YOU Buy at This Great Turkish Arts Market?
Crafts and souvenir markets in Turkey have decorative glass down to a science. The mosaic lamps were my favorite!
Why Southbridge, MA is a Brilliant Weekend Getaway
Enjoy the history of functional glass? The Optical Museum in Southbridge, Massachusetts is just an hour from Boston, and will teach you all about the contributions of American Optical... plus offers some hilarious novelty glasses to try on.
How to Decorate Your Home in Photo Collages of Travel
This crafts tutorial explains how to take secondhand glass out of old frames to preserve hand-made collages of travel photos.
The Tallest Building in the World has a CRAZY View of Dubai from the Top!
We can't speak of decorative glass or architecture without speaking of UAE's towering Burj Khalifa: 2,722 feet of glass and metal that you can travel to the top of for ridiculous views.
Glass Paperweights in Ligonier, PA's Art Museum
One of the most remarkable and extensive collections of glass paperweights in America is located in the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in the small town of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, just over an hour from Pittsburgh. Ogle the photos of all the different paperweight techniques in these vibrant photos.
You Won't Believe the Architecture and Art of the UAE
Enjoy those Burj Khalifa views? Marvel at the other imaginative uses of glass in architecture in the United Arab Emirates.
One Exchange Place in Boston is a GREAT Building!
This glass-drenched skyscrapers is a highly underrated building in Boston, in my humble opinion. I drool over its curves and layers!
Lowe Mill: Studios for 250 Artists in Huntsville, Alabama
Alabama boasts one of the largest artists' colonies in the U.S., and several studios show off glass art, including the stained glass pictured here.
Love for the Hancock Building in Boston
In 2015, the famed glass skyscraper of Boston changed its name from "The Hancock Building" to "200 Clarendon," but for this Bostonian, it will always be the Hancock -- shocking history of falling glass panes and all!
Stained Glass Windows in the Bathroom at this Hotel?!
Placing ornate stained glass adds a flavor of regal drama to any space... so how does it look in a hotel bathroom? Check out this example here.
Why Giant Tour Group Travel in Toledo, Spain Didn't Stink
The stained glass art in this Toledo, Spain church pairs perfectly with the decorations around the windows and columns.
Have You Heard of This Astounding NYC Church Building?
St. John the Divine in New York City is not as well known as it should be, given its awe-inspiring size and glittering stained glass.
Fishtown, Philly's Fish-Loving, Colorful Street Art
Want to see a Philadelphia neighborhood completely decorated with fish art -- including stained glass aquatic doors and windows? Check this out...
Inclusiveness at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art: Greensburg, PA
Dale Chihuly has glass sculptures all over the world, and it was a thrill to find one in this delightful museum in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania.
Glass Architecture of Downtown Toronto, Canada
Toronto glistens with glass-based buildings, and I loved touring the city to see the architecture in person, and marvel at the new buildings underway.
Historic Charleston, SC: History and Sights
Charleston, South Carolina's charm comes in many forms, but the old-fashioned glass lamps lighting the street, and the decorative glass windows sure help.
Inn by the Sea: Maine Resort Romance in Luxury
Glass is used to great effect at this luxury hotel on the seacoast near Portland, ME: Most notably in the massive shower and the two-story hotel room windows.
Phipps Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh
The greenhouse of Phipps Conservatory is a work of art from the 1800s, AND mixed in with the 14 giant rooms of flowers are glass sculptures from Dale Chihuly and others!
Make Your Own Glass Project in Corning, NY!
Even if you have no experience at all in creating glass art, at the Corning Museum of Glass in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, you can learn to work with molten glass to create a patterned decorative glass flower like the one we made, a vase, or many other fabulous items out of this magical material.
Which of those glass beauties do YOU like best?
From all of those examples, which decorative or useful glass example most calls to your soul, and why? I’m so curious to hear, so do please share!


The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
myline
Thursday 18th of June 2020
Woah!! Different talents from around the world. Local artists and architects are always best in their works.
Lillie Marshall
Friday 19th of June 2020
Yes!
Melinda
Friday 7th of February 2020
Love these! My husband’s family is from Corning, NY and his Grandpa worked for Corning all his life. I’d love to take the kids there and show them one of the places they come from ❤️ A tour of the museum and making our own glass decor would definitely be icing on the cake! Thanks for sharing.
Lillie Marshall
Friday 7th of February 2020
What an amazing connection! I'd be so curious to hear more about what it was like to work for Corning.
Lauren
Tuesday 4th of February 2020
I love glass art too! We've been to Chihuly in St Pete and also Corning Museum. I'll have to check out some of these other locations as well.
Ariana - World of Travels with Kids
Tuesday 4th of February 2020
I would never have thought of this... I love your passion for glass art and enjoyed the beautiful pictures.
Lillie Marshall
Tuesday 4th of February 2020
Thanks! It was a funny realization to look back at my hundreds of articles and see this unexpected but delightful theme!