Corning Museum of Glass Debuts World’s Largest Paperweight

I’m a big fan of art ““ museums, galleries, quirky urban locations, and sometimes, where you least expect it.

Last month, the Corning Museum of Glass announced that it now has on display the world’s largest glass paperweight.  “Megaplanet” is a 107-pound orb with a kaleidoscope of landscapes and underwater scenes inside, and is the one thousandth paperweight in the paperweight collection.

“Megaplanet” sounds pretty impressive, with more than 30 layers of glass.  The glass artist, Josh Simpson, took 18 months to create the piece, which is approximately 13 inches in diameter.  The creation of the heavy paperweight was so physically demanding that Simpson said the he worked out regularly for six months prior to starting the project to improve his strength and dexterity.  Who knew that blowing glass was so physically rigorous?

Simpson says that the interior scenes were inspired, in part, by his wife, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman.  He says that he wanted to create a scene that reflected the earth’s vastness and complexity.

The paperweight is on display to the public, and is part of the Corning Museum of Glass permanent collection.   The Museum is home to a comprehensive collection of glass, and is dedicated to the art, history, science, research and exhibition of glass.  There are lots of hands on exhibits as well, including one that allows you to make your own paperweight.

Location:  The museum is located in the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York at One Museum Way in Corning. 

Hours:  Open daily 9 am-5 pm, with extended hours (till 8 pm) during the summer.  The museum is closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Admission:  Admission is $12.50 for adults.  $11.25 for seniors and students.  Kids 17 and under are free.  An audio guide is available for $3.  Parking is free.  There are a variety of discounted rates, so check the website to see if any apply to you.

Photo credit:  Corning Museum of Glass