With its breathtaking landscapes, beloved traditions, and culinary gems, Kentucky draws visitors from around the world. Now one town in Kentucky is poised to become one of the top destinations in the United States for art enthusiasts and cultural travelers. A new glass museum in Danville, Kentucky will offer visitors the opportunity to view glass artwork from some of the country’s top glass artists, learn more about the art form, and, eventually, try it out.

Mark your calendar for a much-anticipated event in Danville. The Art Center of the Bluegrass has announced that the GLASS National Art Museum will open on Nov. 3, 2023.

The GLASS National Art Museum’s opening coincides with the Art Center of the Bluegrass' 20th anniversary.

One of the premier cultural destinations in Central Kentucky, The Art Center of the Bluegrass draws more than 30,000 visitors annually to its art exhibits, classes, and other events.

The Art Center of the Bluegrass offers a variety of painting and drawing classes for adults, kids, and those with disabilities. Construction of a demo kitchen is underway, which, when completed, will allow guests to learn more about culinary art.

Now visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about, view, and eventually try their hand at, another art form – glass art – at GLASS National Art Museum. A Glassblowing Studio is slated to open sometime in 2024.

Spanning 12,600 square feet, the brand-new Kentucky museum will showcase the work of contemporary artists and serve as the permanent home for the collection of Stephen Rolfe Powell, a prominent American glass artist and the inspiration for GLASS.

Powell, who died in 2019, was a longtime Danville resident who founded Centre College’s glassblowing program in 1985. His work is permanently displayed in a number of world-renowned museums, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C.

Carve out plenty of time to explore GLASS, which includes a dark gallery that will showcase breathtaking glass artwork under spotlights. Permanent and rotating exhibits from local and national glass artists will also be on display.

The GLASS National Art Museum’s opening, however, is just the launching point of the art center’s expansion. You’ll be able to shop at Fern Curated Gifts, a gift shop that will feature handcrafted items from local artists, and a café will open later this year.

Stay up-to-date with all of the upcoming events by visiting the official website of GLASS National Art Museum and the Facebook page of The Art Center of the Bluegrass.

Have you been to the Art Center of the Bluegrass? Will you visit the GLASS National Art Museum, a glass museum in Danville, Kentucky? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments! Then check out why Danville is a hidden gem in Kentucky, and extend your stay in town by checking into a charming Vrbo.