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Heart of Glass - Blenko Glass

Blenko Glass is a West Virginia treasure that spans generations. Nothing symbolizes the state of West Virginia better or more beautifully than Blenko Glass. We will discuss current and former craftsmen and designers and how important it is that Blenko and West Virginia glass be appreciated and valued by the younger generation.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Blenko Family to Donate the 2014 WV Birthday Vase to WVU's Collection

        

West Virginia's 151st birthday celebrated at WVU with annual gift from Blenko family

June 20th, 2014

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Blenko Glass Company has continued its tradition of providing the West Virginia University art collection with the latest piece of limited edition glass from the West Virginia Birthday Blenko Glass Collection.
The donation to the University’s art collection has become an annual occurrence on the birthday of West Virginia, June 20. This contribution from Blenko Glass Company, located in Milton, W. Va., reflects that family-owned businesses are valued and aid in keeping tradition of the Mountain State alive.
The West Virginia Birthday Blenko Glass Collection, which began in 1980, celebrates the state’s birthday by creating and selling the exact number of pieces as the state’s age.
This year, Blenko Glass has produced 151 original pieces to celebrate West Virginia’s 151st birthday. According to the Blenko Project website, www.blenkoproject.org, WVU houses just one of the 10 known complete sets.
This year’s design is unique in that each of the pieces will be a bit different and is called “Sunrise over Appalachia.”
WVU was given a majority of this collection through the generosity of Hillary Homburg, a WVU dental school alumna and 2002 WVU Foundation Scholar.
Homburg’s generosity stemmed from her pride and love for the University and the state.
“As a student, I felt that there were so many dynamic, encouraging people that want you to be successful,” Homburg said. “I learned from my professors and the Foundation the joy of giving.”
As a fourth generation legacy student, Homburg felt the Blenko West Virginia Birthday vases would be best represented with pride by the University because of its own unique and rich history within the state. In 2007, Homburg decided to donate her personal collection from 1980 to 2007 to WVU.
“At the time, my Blenko West Virginia Birthday vases were my most valuable asset,” Homburg said. “I wanted to give something back to the University, and it also would allow the vases to be seen and admired by the many visitors to campus.”
The Blenko family has continued the tradition and donated the latest collectable vases in the series to the University’s art collection each year.
Currently as a WVU School of Dentistry adjunct faculty member, Homburg also is a writer for The (Huntington) Herald-Dispatch newspaper. Her column is called “Heart of Glass,” http://herald-dispatchblogs04.blogspot.com/, where she blogs about the timeless treasures of Blenko and West Virginia Glass.
The latest Blenko Glass collectible was given to WVU’s art collection in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $750 million comprehensive campaign is being conducted by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University and runs through December 2015.
-WVU-
es/6/20/14
CONTACT: Bill Nevin, WVU Foundation
304-284-4056; wnevin@wvuf.org
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.
- See more at: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2014/06/20/west-virginia-s-151st-birthday-celebrated-at-wvu-with-annual-gift-from-blenko-family#sthash.G5jO8SGW.dpuf

11 comments:

maggie said...

Kudos to Hillary.
To the Blenko Family
and to West Virginia University for acknowledging the wonderful glass made in West Virginia.

maggie said...

Nice Photo Of You On the Dental
School link.

maggie said...

Nice Photo Of You On the Dental
School link.

Anonymous said...

I know you don't like gossip but I heard Katie has left Blenko
and that Mr Walter is being married in August.
If these things are true you should be sharing with us.
Are we not all part of the Blenko Family? You say this all the time, purchase Blenko, support Blenko, Gift Blenko ....become a part of our Blenko Family.
When family members move out and/ or get married other members deserve to know.
Alice H.

susan said...

Nice post!

susan said...

Nice post!

Anonymous said...

Alice
We have heard this. Several weeks ago but didn't give any real weight to the story.
Connie Shaw

Dr.BOB said...

Thank you to Walter Blenko for continuing this tradition.

Anonymous said...

WVU and Blenko a great pairing!

Anonymous said...

Where is the collection housed?

Anonymous said...

In 2012 we saw the collection at the Presidents residence.

Also the rumors mentioned are true, Katie either left or is leaving and Mr. Walter is being married.
Gloria Dodd
I wish both Katie and Walter very good luck future luck.
As a collector I am thankful to both.