Blown Away Winner Deborah Czeresko joins Toledo Museum of Art for GAPP Residency

Eye On Art  |  04/09/2025 2:00 pm

The Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) is pleased to welcome acclaimed glass artist and Blown Away season one winner Deborah Czeresko for the Guest Artist Pavilion Project (GAPP) residency. Known for their bold and thought-provoking glasswork, Czeresko will be in residence at TMA from April 9–18 engaging visitors through public demonstrations and a special artist lecture.  

“Deborah Czeresko’s work challenges conventions, using glass to explore themes of identity, gender, and power,” said Alan Iwamura, glass studio manager, TMA. “Czeresko’s residency at TMA will be an exciting opportunity for visitors to experience Czeresko’s artistry up close and to engage with an artist who is redefining contemporary glass.” 

Czeresko will offer a free public lecture on April 17 from 6-7 p.m. in the Glass Pavilion on the TMA campus, where the artist will discuss their artistic journey, creative influences, and groundbreaking work in contemporary glassmaking. Attendees should note that some of the content in the lecture may include adult themes. 

During their residency, Czeresko will also conduct a series of live glassblowing demonstrations at 2 p.m. on April 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, and 18. These dynamic sessions provide visitors with an opportunity to witness Czeresko’s innovative approach to glass firsthand and gain insight behind the artist’s sculptural works. 

Czeresko, a New York-based artist, gained international recognition after winning the first season of Netflix’s Blown Away, a competitive glassblowing series that showcased Czeresko’s dynamic skill, expressive artistry, and powerful vision. With a career spanning over three decades, Czeresko has exhibited their work in major institutions such as Corning Museum of Glass, New Orleans Museum of Art, and Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and continues to push the boundaries of glass as a medium. The Toledo Museum also has a work by Czersko in its collection-- Oh God/ Martina 59/9 (2019). 

Established with the opening of the Glass Pavilion in 2006, the Guest Artist Pavilion Project (GAPP) residency invites both established and emerging artists to push the limits of glass as a medium. Artists selected for GAPP receive the opportunity to experiment freely, working alongside the museum’s skilled glass studio staff. In addition to hands-on studio work, GAPP artists share their creative process with the public through lectures, demonstrations, and collaborative engagements, fostering a dialogue that extends beyond the walls of the museum. 

For more information about Czeresko’s residency, visit toledomuseum.org.  

ABOUT THE TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART 
Recently named the 2025 Best Art Museum in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) is a beloved cultural institution in Toledo, Ohio, and a global leader in the museum field. Established in 1901, its renowned collection features over 25,000 works, ranging from antiquity to contemporary art, and includes one of the finest collections of glass in the world. Situated on a 40-acre campus, TMA integrates art into people’s lives through its world-class collection, engaging exhibitions, robust educational programs, and community outreach.  

Admission and parking to TMA are always free, welcoming everyone to explore its galleries. The museum is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and select holidays. TMA is located at 2445 Monroe St., just one block off I-75, with exit signs posted for easy access. For more information, call 419-255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org.