Sustainability has become one of the most important topics for our world and for artists, especially in material-intensive fields like glass. Prior to the 50th anniversary of our program, I recognized the growing urgency to address how we, as artists and educators, can sustain our practices in alignment with the environmental impact they create. This is particularly crucial in glassmaking, a process that inherently demands significant energy and resources.

As program head, I feel a deep responsibility to build on the foundation laid by my predecessors. Jon Clark, the founder and first program head, cultivated a culture of resourcefulness and support, both for people and materials. Sharyn O'Mara, who led the program for over a decade, expanded on this by developing professional practices and support systems for students. Inspired by their legacies, I am dedicated to fostering a mindset of conscious making within our community. This means being more aware of our environmental impact and actively creating models for sustainable practice.

My vision is not only to implement strategies that reduce our carbon footprint but also to instill a sense of responsibility in our students. By equipping them with the tools and knowledge to become conscious makers, we set the stage for their long-term success in navigating the challenges of sustainability while maintaining the integrity of their work.

In 2009, the Tyler Glass Program underwent a significant transformation with the move to a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot studio. This expansion greatly enhanced the program’s capabilities, providing students with access to world-class facilities and resources. The same year marked a leadership transition, as Jon Clark, the program’s founder and visionary leader, retired, and Sharyn O’Mara became program head. Under her guidance, the program experienced a period of growth and innovation. The Laurie Wagman Visiting Artist Series was launched, bringing renowned artists to collaborate with students and faculty, enriching the educational experience. The MFA curriculum was also reimagined to embrace a more interdisciplinary approach, encouraging graduate students to explore connections between glass and other mediums. Additionally, the BFA curriculum underwent a significant shift, fostering a more contemporary and conceptual focus while still honoring the rich traditions of glassmaking. This pivotal period laid the groundwork for the program's evolution into the dynamic and forward-thinking community it is today.

Since I became the program head in 2019, we’ve taken significant steps to expand and evolve the Tyler glass program, ensuring it remains at the forefront of both artistic innovation and ecological responsibility. We’ve broadened our offerings to include more focus on neon and flameworking, which have opened exciting new possibilities for our students.

Our curriculum has also undergone a transformation, emphasizing the ecological aspects of working with glass. For example, our introductory courses are now topic-specific, allowing students to engage deeply with the material through focused themes and to explore the intersection of meaning and materiality. I’ve also introduced new courses, such as "Optics and Light" and "Crafting Empathy through Collaboration and Making," which challenge students to think critically about the relationship between their work and the world around them, both socially and ecologically.

One of the initiatives I’m particularly proud of is our new waste-stream program, supported by a green grant from Temple University's Sustainability Office. This program has already reclaimed over 6,000 pounds of glass in its first year. Additionally, we’ve secured graduate research funding to install a small electric furnace, which has enabled us to experiment with melting recycled glass, color mixing, and exploring more sustainable approaches to glassmaking.

These advancements reflect our commitment to equipping students with both the technical skills and the ecological consciousness needed to navigate the evolving landscape of glassmaking today.

The future of the Tyler Glass Program lies in continuing to expand the culture of inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability that has become central to our mission. As part of the revised BFA curriculum under the broader Art Department, we are committed to fostering a program that integrates sustainability, interdisciplinarity, and socially engaged practices. By emphasizing contemporary approaches to craft and materiality, we aim to prepare students to address complex ecological and societal challenges through innovative glasswork.

Looking ahead, we envision building on our existing strengths by further expanding access to state-of-the-art facilities and increasing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. The Frankenthaler Scoping Grant will play a pivotal role in helping us realize this vision. The grant supports our efforts to implement sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption in our studio spaces, exploring innovative methods like recycling and experimental melting, and advancing research toward carbon neutrality. This funding enables us to align with the ecological focus of our curriculum while providing students with hands-on experience in creating sustainable art practices.

Through these initiatives, alongside fostering connections with broader community and global networks, we see Tyler Glass continuing to lead in redefining what it means to create meaningful, impactful, and sustainable art in the 21st century. Our commitment to inclusivity, critical inquiry, and adaptability will ensure that our graduates are prepared to shape a more thoughtful and sustainable creative future.