BY SUZY STUMP for WEEKLY VOLCANO 3/20/26 |
Nearly a quarter century after opening its doors on Tacoma’s waterfront, the Museum of Glass is preparing for the first major capital renovation in its history.
The project is designed to expand gallery space, modernize infrastructure, and position the museum as an even more significant destination for glass art.
Construction is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2026 and will take roughly six months. During that time, the museum’s primary gallery spaces will temporarily close while renovations take place.
Signature programming such as the museum’s live glassblowing studio known as the Hot Shop along with smaller exhibitions and educational programs will remain open throughout the construction period.
For museum leaders, the project marks a pivotal moment in the institution’s evolution.
Since opening in 2002, Museum of Glass has established itself as one of the most recognizable cultural institutions in the Pacific Northwest. Its distinctive architecture and waterfront location have made it a landmark in Tacoma’s Museum District, while its programming has drawn artists and visitors from across the country.
The museum is home to the West Coast’s largest and most active public glassblowing studio, where artists-in-residence regularly create new work in full view of visitors. Over the years, the institution has hosted internationally known artists, organized traveling exhibitions, expanded educational programming, and steadily built a permanent collection that reflects the growing global significance of glass as a contemporary art form.
The upcoming renovation aims to build on that foundation.
Museum leaders say the capital project is driven largely by visitor feedback collected over many years. According to the museum, audiences consistently express a desire for more exhibition space, more artwork on display, and deeper opportunities to learn about the history and techniques behind glassmaking. The renovation is designed to respond directly to those requests.
At the center of the project is the creation of a new immersive exhibition space dedicated to the work of legendary Italian glassblower Lino Tagliapietra. The gallery will house a collection of 175 works recently gifted to the museum by the artist.
Tagliapietra is widely regarded as one of the most influential glass artists in the world. He was born in Murano, Italy which is a region famous for its centuries-old glassmaking traditions. He began apprenticing in glass factories as a child and eventually became a master glassblower. Over the course of his career, Tagliapietra helped bridge traditional Venetian techniques with contemporary studio glass movements around the world.
The planned Lino Tagliapietra Legacy Gallery will tell the story of his life, techniques, and artistic contributions through an immersive display of his work. According to museum officials, the gallery will be the only dedicated exhibition space of its kind in the United States.
By housing the collection permanently in Tacoma, the museum hopes to strengthen the region’s connection to the global history of glassmaking and solidify the Pacific Northwest’s reputation as a major center for glass art.
The project also includes a number of broader improvements to the museum’s existing facilities.
One major change will involve converting the museum’s current theater space into additional gallery square footage. The new area will be used to host rotating exhibitions, allowing the museum to present a wider variety of artists and themes throughout the year.
Existing gallery spaces will also undergo significant upgrades. Planned improvements include the installation of new state-of-the-art lighting designed to better showcase delicate glass pieces, as well as sophisticated display cases and upgraded environmental controls to protect artwork over time.
Interactive audio and visual elements will also be incorporated into exhibitions, giving visitors a more immersive experience and offering new ways to learn about artists and techniques.
Another key goal of the renovation is to improve the flow of visitors through the museum. Updated layouts and modernized design features are intended to make the galleries easier to navigate and more visually engaging.
Behind the scenes, the project includes several infrastructure upgrades that will allow the museum to better care for its growing collection.
New on-site storage areas will be created to accommodate additional pieces in the permanent collection, and internal workshops used by museum staff will be relocated to the building’s garage level. That move will free up space on the main level for expanded collection storage and gallery support.
Structural improvements will also be completed beneath the building to support the renovation and ensure the long-term stability of the site.
Museum leaders say the timing of the project reflects both opportunity and readiness.
After nearly 25 years of operation, the institution now has the experience and resources needed to take on a major expansion. The museum reports that it currently operates with stable finances, an experienced staff, and a strong base of community support.
That stability makes it possible to invest in long-term improvements designed to serve the museum and the community for decades to come.
For Tacoma, the renovation represents an investment in the city’s cultural identity. The Museum of Glass has played a central role in shaping Tacoma’s reputation as an arts destination, helping attract visitors, artists, and educational programs to the city’s waterfront district. Its partnership with nearby institutions and its ongoing artist residency program have made it a hub for creative exchange.
By expanding gallery space and showcasing the Tagliapietra collection, museum leaders believe the project will further elevate Tacoma’s place in the international glass art community.
