CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Things were heating up in Corning on Friday with the official launch of StudioNEXT, the expansion of the glass-blowing studios at the Corning Museum of Glass. StudioNEXT is designed to transform The Studio into an international center for artists and students working in glass.  
 
“In nearly 25 years, The Studio has experienced tremendous growth,” Karol Wight, President & Executive Director of the Corning Museum of Glass, said. “We need room and state-of-the-art facilities to support the leading artists in glass as they pursue their practice.”  
 
The expansion is expected to be complete by the end of 2024 and once finished, The Studio will be the only facility in North America capable of creating such large-scale works.  

Director of The Studio Amy Schwartz says there are 5 parts to the multi-million-dollar project. This includes rightsizing spaces that are too small, adding a large-scale kiln casting center, creating a residency center where people can work year-round, building a 2-year non-degree program, and adding additional space where people can make their own art.  
 
 
“It also addresses our leadership role with glass artists and students from around the world... More space and more access for people who are involved with glass,” Schwartz said.  
 
Claire Kelly started working at The Studio when it first opened in 1996, moving to Corning full-time in 2020 to be closer to the glass studios. To her, the new Studio represents a world of new possibilities.  
 
"Everything's just growing,” Kelly said. “As an artist, it's inspiring to have opportunities working in technical aspects of glass that I haven't had the opportunity to explore before.”

Originally published by Sam Shapiro at WENY NEWS.