William Bernstein (American, b. 1945), Face Vase with Gold Leaf

2018, blown glass with cane drawn face and 22K gold leaf, inscribed "Bernst" with date to underside.
Proceeds to benefit the general Penland Scholarship.

11 1/2 x 7 1/4 x 5 in.

Being sold to benefit Penland School of Craft, Penland, North Carolina

Penland’s scholarship program exists to make their workshops accessible to those who are not able to participate without financial assistance and to create educational opportunities for people who have been underrepresented at Penland and in the craft world. Proceeds from this auction will help fund existing scholarships, with some proceeds designated towards specific scholarships as noted in the listings.

William Bernstein grew up in New Jersey and met his wife, Katherine, while attending the Philadelphia College of Art in Pennsylvania. After graduation, the couple accepted two-year resident artist positions at the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, then settled nearby. In 1971, William helped arrange the first meeting of the Glass Art Society with Fritz Dreisbach and Mark Peiser, who had suggested that glass artists should meet regularly to exchange ideas. The group flourished, and today, the Glass Art Society supports glass artists and promotes the field through education and appreciation. William and Katherine continue to work individually and collaboratively in their rural North Carolina studio. One of their sons, Alex Gabriel Bernstein, is also a glass artist.

Bio Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Good condition; some small scattered areas of gilt loss