Creative Glass Forum 2024
Tradition and innovation in glass
Agenda
12. December 2024.
Belgrade City Library – Knez Mihaila 56,
Plan, effects and importance of revitalisation of Paracin glassmaking
12.00-13.15 h
Belgrade City Library – Knez Mihaila 56
This forum is dedicated to re-examining the tradition of glassmaking and innovation, and it is the result of a Serbian-American collaboration initiated through joint work on a preliminary technical assessment (PTA) for the revitalization of Paraćin glassmaking. The creation of this document was a collaborative effort with the world-renowned Corning Museum of Glass – Glass Studio, the FREN Lab for Creative Economy, the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, and the Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
What is the economic contribution of investments in the revitalization of industrial heritage? How do they drive a new cycle of local development? How has Corning, New York—a small town of 10,000 inhabitants—become one of the top artistic destinations among small towns in the United States through responsible stewardship of heritage and creative economy? Why do 800,000 visitors come annually to try their hand at glassmaking? What potential does Paraćin hold in this field, and how can the synergy of the glass industry, glassmaking tradition, and creative economy become a new opportunity for local development?
The core elements of the preliminary technical assessment will be presented by members of the Task Force for the Revitalization and Preservation of Paraćin’s Industrial Glass Heritage, along with a presentation of leading glass artists selected by the Corning Museum of Glass – Glass Studio, who served as inspiration for designing the programmatic concept for the revitalization of glass.
United in Glass: regional perspectives and cooperation
13.30-14.45 h
City Belgrade Library – Knez Mihaila 56
The second session focuses on regional glass collaboration, providing an overview of the region’s creative entrepreneurship, glass art and industry, and museum practices. Its aim is to explore opportunities for collaboration among stakeholders and regional partners, as well as the potential impact of revitalizing glassmaking in Paraćin on regional artistic, creative, and museological activities.
Creative Glass LAB
13. December 2024.
City Belgrade Library – Knez Mihaila 56
A laboratory for the promotion and revitalization of traditional glassmaking techniques used in Paraćin’s glass industry at the beginning of the 20th century. At this event, participants will learn engraving and painting techniques and apply them to glass and glass objects, as well as explore glass fusing techniques and their use in creating artistic pieces.
Paraćin glass: Serbian-American relations
12. December 2024. – 1. February 2025.
City Belgrade Library – Knez Mihaila 56
Pop-up exhibition on the history of Paraćin glass and Serbian-American connections in glass, featuring historical examples of products as well as samples that were exported to the United States market.
Exhibition and catalog authors: Hristina Mikić and Estela Radonjić-Živkov
Exhibition collaborator: Ivana Samardžić
Programme Board
Dr. Hristina Mikić, Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Chair)
Dr. Dejan Molnar, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade / FREN (Member)
Prof. Dr Gojko Rikalović, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade (Member)
Estela Radonjić-Živkov, Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments (Member)
Partners:
Foundation of Advancement of Economics; Corning Museum of Glass; Republic Institute for Heritage Protection, Belgrade; City Belgrade Library
Donors:
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia and the Embassy of the United States of America in Serbia
The opinions, findings, and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Embassy of the United States of America.