The theme of the 2026 Conference (opens new window), Celebrating Community | Expanding Futures, will focus on the diversity of the global glass community and the way our collective futures are improved when we work together. It celebrates everything this collaboration represents: the fusion of hot and cold glass, studio and architectural work, contemporary practice, and historic tradition. By coming together, our communities highlight the richness and range of the glass arts- and the extraordinary potential that emerges when we share space, ideas, and vision.
This multi-faceted conference experience will open doors to new perspectives, spark innovation, deepen material exploration, and create exciting opportunities for all members. Together, we’ll gather at the renowned Corning Museum of Glass (opens new window) and explore the cutting-edge spaces at The Studio (opens new window) - home to North America's largest glass casting center - for a vibrant celebration of the art and craft we all cherish.
Attendees can look forward to robust programming from all organizations, along with new crossover experiences designed to spark conversation, foster connections, and inspire creative growth. This is more than a conference - it’s a powerful step forward for our shared future in glass.
Registration is Now Open | Use code SGAASTANDARD to register!
All registration tiers include 1 Closing Night Party ticket and a digital copy of the 2026 GAS Journal. Add-on experiences will include additional Closing Night Party tickets, Firestarter fundraiser tickets, and day trips, are on sale here! (opens new window)
March 13 – Standard registration closes at 11:59 pm Eastern– conference pricing across all tiers increases. Online registration closes on May 1, 2026– don't worry, you’ll also be able to register on site in Corning beginning on June 3!
SPECIAL EVENTS, TOURS, WORKSHOPS
This year's conference offers a number of special events for you to network, catch-up with friends, and have some added fun! For a complete list of special events and to register, please visit the Glass Art Society website (opens new window).
Firestarter | Tuesday, June 2, 6-9 pm
Grist Iron Brewing Company, Burdett, NY
Join us before the official conference festivities for a fun evening at Grist Iron Brewing Company and enjoy the gorgeous sunset over Seneca Lake. Reunite with glassy friends from around the world and put your opening bids in for our Glass Class Auction!
Grist Iron is approximately half an hour away from Corning and round-trip shuttle tickets between Corning and Grist Iron are available for $10.
GAS Member: $50 per ticket
Non GAS Members: $75 per ticket
Consideration of Sacred Spaces for Site Evaluation (Field Session) | Wednesday, June 3, 9 am – 1 pm
Presented by Bryant J. Stanton, Stanton Studios & David Bleckman, J&R Lamb Studios; Christ Episcopal Church, 33 E. First Street, Corning, NY, 14830
This afternoon seminar will delve into the nuanced and respectful approach to stained glass restoration in sacred spaces. Too often, these cherished sites receive unsolicited bids and proposals hastily declaring “urgent” issues. This seminar aims to shift that narrative by providing a crash course in honest restoration sales.
Sacred spaces deserve more than a quick fix. Stained glass restoration is rarely a matter of life or death; instead, it involves a slow, incremental process. Thoughtful consideration and careful evaluation often yield better results, allowing communities the time to strategically prepare for preservation efforts that align with their financial capabilities and long-term goals.
Key topics of discussion will include:
•Honest assessments versus urgent scare tactics
•The incremental nature of stained glass deterioration
•Practical stop-gap repairs to buy time
•Small, manageable efforts that support preservation goals
This seminar emphasizes the importance of patience and strategic planning in preservation, reinforcing that there is no immediate crisis demanding hasty action. By attending, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how great restoration work takes time and how we can contribute to building a solid foundation for future efforts. Join us to learn how to be a better part of the preservation process, ensuring that sacred spaces continue to be cherished for generations to come.
Tickets are $95 per person.
Introduction to Site Work for Stained Glass Repairs, a demonstration and discussion | Tuesday, June 2, 9 am – 1 pm
With instructor Ralph Mills; Carder Room at the Radisson Hotel, Corning, NY
Join stained glass restoration guru Ralph Mills for a half-day demonstration and discussion of repair work that starts the moment you get onsite after that frenzied call comes in. Using The Carder Window at the Radisson Hotel in Corning, learn how to investigate what’s happening to the window once you arrive on site. Discuss when a stop-gap repair is needed, and whether or not it’s appropriate, and how to help the client prepare for a full restoration. Ralph will share practical insights and time-tested techniques drawn from decades of experience. This session is an ideal introduction for anyone looking to build confidence in stained glass repair before moving on to full restoration projects.
Tickets are $150 per person.
Stained Glass, Grapes, and the Finger Lakes | Tuesday, June 2, 9 am – 4 pm
Shuttle pickup at the Corning Museum of Glass
Our journey begins at St. Januarius Church, a modern architectural gem that reflects the spirit and landscape of the region. Designed by architect Jim Johnson, the church’s floor plan echoes the shape of a grape leaf. Its most distinctive feature is the dalle de verre façade- walls of concrete embedded with richly colored glass pieces representing local grape varieties.
Next, we travel to Garrett Memorial Chapel, where light and artistry merge in one of the Finger Lakes’ most serene settings. Built in the early 1930s, the chapel’s stained-glass windows are among its most treasured features- crafted by the renowned Judson Studios of Los Angeles. These luminous designs include the final works of Frederick Wilson, completed in 1929, marking the close of an extraordinary stained-glass career.
We’ll conclude the day at Bully Hill Vineyards, nestled in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Established nearly 150 years ago by master cooper Walter Taylor, Bully Hill continues the area’s winemaking legacy with a warm, welcoming spirit. Enjoy a tasting of their signature wines and a relaxing meal overlooking the vineyards- a perfect finish to a day celebrating art, architecture, and the beauty of the Finger Lakes.
Tickets are $195 per person.
TRAVEL & STAY
Explore Steuben (opens new window) has put together a list of hotel blocks in Corning, Painted Post, and Horseheads. Attendees also have the option to book local vacation homes via Airbnb (opens new window) or VRBO (opens new window).
*The Radisson in Corning is officially sold out. Book your stay as soon as you can - reservations are filling quick!
“This has been a dream for us for years: to engage with the wider glass community, not only to share our own resources, but to share all of the joy that is all of the glass! Celebrating stained glass in collaboration with the rest of the glass art world highlights how we all continue to work together to transform and bring vibrancy into our daily spaces.”
– Megan McElfresh, Executive Director of SGAA
“Our community is stronger when we combine our forces. This new collaboration allows us to reach more members of the global glass community and use our combined resources and expertise to expand the possibilities available within the glass world. We are excited to welcome ISGB and SGAA members into the GAS community and for the opportunities that will arise as we work together.”
- Brandi P. Clark, Executive Director of GAS