Fall at the Corning Museum of Glass

CORNING, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Corning Museum of Glass is diving into all things fall. The museum is combining the art of glass making with autumnal activities for all ages.  

Every Saturday, visitors can watch different museum gaffers, or master glassblowers, participate in the The Great Glass Pumpkin Experiment. Demonstrations start at 10 a.m. and each gaffer has about two hours to create a pumpkin-related glass object. The museum has some current creations on display, including a vampire-inspired pumpkin and a black and white striped pumpkin adorned with beetles. 

Catherine Ayers started glassblowing in 2001 and has worked at museum since 2010. Last fall, Ayer’s glass pumpkin experiment went viral, gathering millions of views across social media platforms, and hundreds of thousands of likes.

“It was crazy,” said Ayers, who was taking a break from glassblowing at that time. “A week before I made that pumpkin, I took all the glass that I had and I just took it to the shop and I said, ‘sell it and get rid of it. I want it all gone.”

After Ayers’ pumpkin hit the internet, she said people were reaching out to her to buy a plaid pumpkin, which brought her back into the hotshop. This year, Ayers will be making a new plaid pumpkin for The Great Glass Pumpkin Experiment. The experiment is not the only opportunity to watch molten glass turn into a pumpkin, there are plenty of demos inside the hotshop.

“We do glass blowing demonstrations every day all day,” said Ayers. “And this time of year, because people want to know how the glass pumpkins are made, we do a glass pumpkin demo every day at 3 o’clock.”

Until Nov. 30, visitors can sign up and try their hand at making a glass pumpkin, a pumpkin pendant or a fall leaf pendant. These cost between $28-$36, with the museum offering free shipping of cooled projects, or next day pickup.

“People want to make their own pumpkins, and the spots are filling up quick,” said Ayers. She recommends booking a glass making experience in advance. “You don’t have to have any experience … They’ll help you make a pumpkin and it’s really fun.”

Admission is free every day for children 17 and under. The museum also offers discounted rates for seniors, service members and college students. Adult tickets cost $25.