Letter from the Executive Director
by Katya Heller
Dear UrbanGlass Family and Friends,
Most of you readers already know me from the regular Letter from the Board Chair. This is my first missive as executive director of UrbanGlass, where I’ve been on the board for two decades. Former vice chair Noah Harlan has taken over as the new UrbanGlass board chair, and he will pen the Letter from the Board Chair column beginning with the next issue.
It is with great pride and humility that I take on the challenges of leading the administration, strategy, and operation of UrbanGlass. I fully understand that this comes at a difficult time, when all nonprofits and arts organizations are facing a new and as-yet-unknown funding environment—yet I remain optimistic! Growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia, I learned that there are opportunities to thrive, even in adverse times for the arts. I learned that such challenging periods can sometimes bring out the best in people and organizations, and can even become a catalyst for new forms of artistic expression.
My professional career has prepared me well for the road ahead. In addition to my two decades as director at Heller Gallery, I’ve spent much of my professional life immersed in the arts—especially involving glass. For nearly 25 years, I worked closely with Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová, who inspired multiple generations of international artists through their approach to glass as a serious art medium. While living in Seattle, I worked at the Henry Art Gallery, Washington State’s first public art museum, and later became part of Dale Chihuly’s studio, helping to organize two of the venues for the “Chihuly Over Venice” tour. With my former business partner, Heidi Breeze-Harris, I innovated several special fundraising initiatives at the Pilchuck Glass School. In collaboration with Washington State wine visionary Allen Shoup, I conceived of the Libenský Award, which continues to be awarded annually by Pilchuck and the Chateau Ste Michelle Winery. I’m sure I will be tapping the experience of advising George Russell as he developed and then built the Museum of Glass in Tacoma as well. Rest assured, I plan to bring all of the knowledge I’ve gained, along with my extensive network in the international glass community, to my new role heading up the flagship institution for glass in the world capital of culture that is New York City.
UrbanGlass brings together an illustrious history with the energy and freshness brought by a new generation of makers. Our 48-years-young creative powerhouse will be celebrated during our upcoming Spring Gala on May 5, 2025. This year we will honor Suzanne Perrault and David Rago, founding partners of Rago Auctions, a leading auction house serving thousands of buyers and sellers annually in the fields of Fine Art, Design, Studio Pottery, Contemporary Glass, Jewelry, and more. Along with their remarkable team, Suzanne and David have done more to establish a robust and growing secondary market for 20th- and 21st-century glass than all the biggest-name auction houses combined. Please join us in Brooklyn for a very special evening of handcrafted cocktails, a celebratory dinner, and an afterparty featuring a groundbreaking performance-art finale in our studios, all of which will raise critical funds during our May 5 Spring Gala.
On the subject of experiences, don’t miss “At a Time Like This,” an exhibition of two major works by artist Alicia Eggert. Curated by Glass editor Andrew Page, this immersive and interactive installation will remain on view through May 4. The centerpiece of this, our first curated exhibit at the Robert Lehman Gallery since 2023, is Your Magic Is Real, an exuberant and moving neon installation that inspires wonder as it celebrates the power of collaboration. Eggert made this work in collaboration with UrbanGlass artist and educator James Akers, with music composed by Marco Buongiorno Nardelli.
Entering the exhibition, you encounter a stark space that is devoid of light and color. On a raised platform, two sensors await, spaced too far for a single person to touch both. But when two or more people join hands to bridge that physical and metaphorical divide, a small electrical current passes through their bodies to complete a circuit and begin a spectacular experience of light, words, and sounds. The longer participants hold hands, the more intensely the room erupts in light, color, and sound.
I am excited to start my tenure as executive director with You are Magic as it celebrates the energy each of us contributes to a diverse community that comes together in pursuit of creativity through glass. Please accept this invitation to become part of the UG family!