Nelson Atkins will highlight historic glass works in a new exhibition

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Artworks that have never been exhibited before or haven’t seen the light of day in decades are set to shine at the center of a new exhibition at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has announced that a new installation celebrates the enduring art form of glass with works from its collection of European decorative arts. Viewed between November 2, 2024 and August 9, 2026, Glorius Glass: Selections from the Collections is set to feature nearly four dozen examples.

“Glorious glass is part of an ongoing series of focused multi-year, collection-based exhibitions that take a fresh look at the museum’s extraordinary collection of decorative arts,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Director and CEO of the Nelson-Atkins. “This brilliant exhibition also highlights five recent acquisitions that illustrate the combination of beauty and utility that marks this art form.”

Museum officials noted that the Bacchus Cup, one of the largest and most famous examples of 18th-century English lead glass, will be on view for the first time. This ceremonial glass has graced some of Britain’s most important collections, including that of William Randolph Hearst, who owned it for two decades.

The museum also indicated that the installation will contain objects from its glass stores that have not been seen for years – including rare examples of antique glass acquired in the early years. Selected examples from the Wallenstein collection will also be on view.

Officials said Marcel Wallenstein was the Kansas City Star’s London correspondent during World War II. His wife, Marcelle, was an early stage and film costume designer. While in Europe, they fell in love with English leaded glass. In the years before the war, they built up an important collection.

“We have amazing stories to tell about material culture, thanks to generous donors who have provided works of art and created specific funds to acquire decorative arts now and in the future,” said Dr. William Keyse Rudolph, Assistant Director of Curatorial Affairs, Curator head and head, Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts. “While we exhibit fine and decorative arts together in the permanent collection galleries as people lived with them, we also like to present deep dives into specific types of decorative arts to remind our visitors that the objects they we use them in our daily lives can tell us a lot about how we live and who we are.”

Museum officials noted that Glorious glass is free to the public and supported by a grant from Kress Foundation.