Past Exhibitions

Big Ideas/Small Packages:  Magnificent Glass Under 20

November 1, 2008 through February 21, 2009

This exhibition honors the paperweight tradition on which Bergstrom-Mahler Museum was founded. It explores the processes of glass techniques used in paperweight making and earlier, to examine the continuum of  glass working methods today.

Many of the techniques used in working and decorating glass did not begin and end in one era.  Glass is a material that evolved over centuries with a long history of use for creating decorative and functional objects. The earliest objects were small precious inlays, beads, unguent jars and containers for oils and perfumes.  These can be traced back to Egyptian use, at least 6,000 years ago or earlier.

This exhibition examines the dynamic possibilities of these ancient glass methods, expanded upon by technology, creativity and contemporary thought, in small scale to honor the initial direction of Bergstrom-Mahler Museum and discover the unending possibilities of the material.

The visual surprises are many as you explore the profound ingenuity of the artists using this historically alluring, versatile and dynamic material: glass.

Tools in Motion
Works from the Hechinger Collection

July 2 - September 19

Tools in Motion: Works from the Hechinger Collection celebrates the repetition and motion found in everyday tools such as hammers, saws and wrenches. The artists in the exhibition range from emerging to world renowned, including Arman, Jim Dine, Claes Oldenburg and Jacob Lawrence.
The wide array of bright colors and vivid textures make this collection enjoyable for visitors of all ages.

This exhibition is sponsored in part by Boldt and the WI Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.