The resident advisor of The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass, William Gudenrath is a glassblower, scholar, author, lecturer, and teacher. He is recognized internationally as one of the foremost authorities on glassmaking techniques of the ancient world through the 18thcentury. In 1989, he developed a widely accepted theory regarding the original form and the probable method of manufacture of the world’s most celebrated ancient glass object, the Portland Vase. Despite a detour in 1974 to earn a Bachelors Degree from the University of North Texas and in 1978 to earn his Master of Music degree from the Julliard School, most of Mr. Gudenrath’s life has been dedicated to the material he fell in love with at the age of 11 with a chemistry set that served as his first introduction to glass and glassworking. In addition to his numerous contributions in print and video on many aspects of glass history, Mr. Gudenrath is co-chairman, with Lino Tagliapietra, of the technical committee of Venetian Glass Study Days at the Istituo Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arit, in Venice, and a fellow of The Corning Museum of Glass. Mr. Gudenrath’s most recent project is the Museum’s first electronic publication, The Techniques of Renaissance Venetian Glassworking. Mr. Gudenrath’s original glasswork is sold in exclusive stores and galleries nationwide.
