Glass Convention: Fenton Art Glass Collectors Association to Meet at Marietta Shrine Club

The completed projects are presented together in a bouquet of flower-shaped paperweights at the 2023 Fenton Art Glass Collectors Convention. (File photo)

The Fenton Art Glass Collectors Association will hold its annual convention today through Thursday at the Marietta Shrine Club.

According to Claire Kauffing, FAGCA has nearly 100 people registered for the upcoming event. Participants will come from all over the country, including states as far away as New Hampshire and Florida.

At the convention, FAGCA will have exhibition tables displaying its members’ glass art.

“Many of our events will be open to the public,” Kauffing said in a press release announcing the convention.

On Thursday afternoon, FAGCA members will discuss the former Williamstown church that was purchased by the group and will become the Fenton Art Glass Museum.

Dave Kingsley, president of the FAGCA and the museum committee, said the group purchased the building but has just begun fundraising for the project. Kingsley said the organization is trying to put together interior plans and renovate the building’s interior.

“Our goal is to keep the love of Fenton alive, even though the Fenton factory closed in 2011,” Kauffing said.

Convention registration will open today at 7 a.m. and the convention will begin at 8 a.m. with a members-only art glass sales. At 10:15 a.m., FAGCA will host its first seminar of the week, the main purpose of which will be to break the ice. At 1 p.m., FAGCA will invite former Fenton glass artists for a glass workshop. During this workshop, participants will learn how to paint on glass as the glass artists did in the Fenton factories.

“It’s amazing how much more you appreciate glass after you paint it.” Kauffing said.

FAGCA will launch the sale of derivative products for its museum today at 4 p.m., after the workshop. An auction of derivative products, open to the public, will also take place at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, FAGCA will open its exhibit booths to the public. Kauffing said there will be 16 exhibit booths at the Shrine Club during the convention. At 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, FAGCA will hold another seminar, open to the public, where it will bring in Fenton glass experts to help collectors determine whether their glass is Fenton or not. Then, FAGCA will bring in former Fenton artists to share their experiences working in a Fenton factory. Later Wednesday, the convention will feature Fenton glass trivia, Fenton bingo and a pizza and ice cream party.

On Thursday, the convention will conclude with guest speakers, another seminar, a museum update and a meeting with members.

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