On May 1, 25 art students took a field trip to Corning New York. Senior Institute teachers Mrs. Jessica Lloyd and Mrs. Heather McClure and art teacher Mrs. Erin Welsh chaperoned the trip.

The students were able to explore a glass-blowing demonstration where they were able to participate in blowing their own glass ornament. Each student could pick the colors and shapes of the ornament to make it unique. 

Students were separated into two groups, and had the opportunity to design and make a suncatcher that would be fired later on. They choose all different sizes and shapes of different glass to design it. The other group worked with Corning employees to design their own glass ornament, and watched upclose as their ornament was created. 

After creating the two projects in the workspace the two groups took a tour of the museum. 

Senior Katelyn Packer really enjoyed the live demonstration the group watched.

“I thought it was very impressive watching the live demonstrations of them making things out of glass. I also liked the history shown in their museum,” she said.

Senior Keira Whitman’s  favorite part was getting to create her own art in a different place with materials she’s never used before.

“My favorite part was making a suncatcher and playing around and learning about the different types of glass to create a suncatcher. It was hard to find different types of shapes fit together on the big piece of glass before it gets fired,” she said. 

Mrs. Heather McClure’s favorite part of the trip was learning all about the history directly from Corning. 

“I really like the museum tour. I enjoyed [the tour guide’s] discussions on the different pieces of art. I liked learning about the impact from glass in society and social classes and the monumental and industrial designs that came from Corning itself. I also really liked the suncatcher,” she said.