Custom Glass Commission for Waterfront Alliance
I was commissioned by Waterfront Alliance, a New York–based nonprofit dedicated to protecting and revitalizing the region’s waterways, to create a series of custom glass objects for their annual awards event.
The pieces were designed to be presented publicly, on stage, during a high-profile gathering that brought together civic leaders, environmental advocates, and cultural figures. The goal was not simply to create awards, but to develop objects that could carry symbolic weight—reflecting water, stewardship, and collective impact—while standing on their own as sculptural glass works.
Translating Mission Into Material
From the beginning, the conversation focused on meaning rather than category. Waterfront Alliance shared their mission and the context of the event, and we worked collaboratively to develop a form that could visually reference water without becoming literal or decorative.
We landed on a series of hand-blown glass droplets in layered shades of blue. Each piece was similar in scale and form, with subtle variations in color and composition to distinguish different honors. One award was intentionally set apart through a more complex blend of tones, signaling its unique role within the ceremony.
Rather than placing the pieces on traditional bases, the glass was designed to stand on its own. The award text and logos were engraved on the flat underside of each object—present for posterity, but invisible during display—allowing the glass itself to remain the focal point.
Collaboration and Craft
Projects like this require close coordination. The work involved developing prototypes, refining color choices, coordinating engraving files with graphic designers, and adjusting details to ensure clarity and consistency across multiple pieces.
The result was a collection of custom glass works that functioned both as ceremonial objects and as standalone sculptures—designed to be held, displayed, and remembered.
A Public Moment
The completed pieces were presented at Waterfront Alliance’s awards event in front of a live audience. Seeing the work held and shared in a public setting was a meaningful part of the project, reinforcing the role that custom, artist-led glass can play in institutional and civic contexts.
This commission reflects the type of collaboration we value most: projects where material, meaning, and visibility intersect, and where the objects created are inseparable from the context in which they are experienced.