44th annual International Glass Exhibit opens May 7

Nestled away in Royal Oak’s industrial district is an artistic haven, the Habatat Galleries.

Started in 1971, the gallery has grown and relocated multiple times throughout Metro Detroit. At its current 13,000 square feet, the galleries are busting at the seems with art, as the 44th International Glass Exhibit kicks off May 7 with an opening reception.

“This show is a synopsis of what’s happening at the forefront of the glass world,” say co-owner Corey Hampson of Bloomfield Hills. “In our catalogs, you can see the evolution.

“To keep the show current, we need to select different artists every year — new artists, events and explore what’s happening in glass worldwide. It started off as a national event and became international. We still have ties in Michigan since we started here.”

Advertisement
Growing up in Huntington Woods, Hampson and his brother, Aaron Schey of West Bloomfield Township, both spent time helping out at Habatat while growing up, and took over when their father retired.

While the gallery and show started more locally, the annual glass event has grown beyond simple vases and ash trays to more elaborate pieces, bringing artists and collectors from around the world to show their work.

This year, glass artists come from 26 different countries. Mark Janecky is a Czech artist who lives in Alaska, and creates his pieces by blowing them inside out. Another Czech artist, Matt Eskuche, creates elements out of glass to look like trash, while Daniel Colvin of North Carolina’s piece in the show was created from 256 glass elements and weights almost 500 pounds.

Hailing from China, actress Loretta Ying and her husband, Shane Ye, a film director, also have multiple pieces in the show.

“Something I really enjoy a lot is getting a chance to meet some of the most interesting people in the world, and see people show off what they spent a lifetime creating,” Schey says. “I tell people that when they walk through the door that they’ll be impressed. Habatat Galleries is a diamond in the rough in the industrial institute. We’re looking forward to showing the people of Michigan what we’re doing.”

Some of the artists are more local, including Oakland County resident Herb Babcock, from runs the glass department at College for Creative Studies, and two of his students, Albert Young and Julie Rogers.

Artists in the show have a chance to appear at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art in Indiana. The jury is open to everyone, so anyone attending the show can vote for their favorite piece.

In addition to the main glass event, a concurrent show will take place across the street. “Peace/Piece: Sculptures of Mass Destruction” will feature 20 artists with works for a gun control exhibit. This festival, as well as the International Glass Exhibit, is open to the public free for the opening.

“This show is really important to us, the field and Metro Detroit,” Hampson says. “This is the biggest glass event in the world. We’re proud to be part of Detroit, and hopefully we can get some people through our doors to be exposed to something they’ve never seen before.”

• The 44th International Glass Exhibit runs through July 22 at Habatat Galleries, 4400 Fernlee Ave., Royal Oak. Grand Opening is 8 p.m. Saturday, May 7. Tickets are free. For more information, call 248-702-5999, email info@habatat.com or visit habatat.com.