The annual Catching Fire auction returns this June, bringing together works by leading contemporary glass artists in support of the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah, Wisconsin.
Now in its sixth year, Catching Fire has become an important event for collectors of contemporary glass art, offering access to works by internationally recognized artists while helping support the museum’s educational programs and community engagement initiatives.
The 2026 auction begins with an online silent auction opening June 10 and culminates with a live virtual auction on June 17. Participation is free, and bidders can register online to view available works and place bids throughout the event.
Among the artists participating this year is Washington Glass School Co-Director Michael Janis, whose kiln-formed glass portrait Inner Dimensions explores themes of identity, memory, and psychological fragmentation through layered and fused glass imagery.
Created using Janis’ signature sgraffito glass powder technique, Inner Dimensions presents a portrait physically separated into horizontal bands that simultaneously hold together and come apart. The work uses the unique properties of glass as part of its meaning—transparent, reflective, fragile, yet capable of becoming solid and permanent through the process of kiln-forming.
A recent critic described the piece:
“The material doesn’t illustrate fragmentation; it is fragmentation.”
The Catching Fire auction reflects the continuing vitality of contemporary glass as an art form, showcasing a diverse range of techniques, aesthetics, and artistic voices. Proceeds from the event help the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass fulfill its mission of connecting people to glass through exhibitions, collections, education, and community programs.
Artists, collectors, and supporters of contemporary glass are encouraged to register and explore the auction catalog as bidding opens.
Event Information
• Silent Auction Opens: June 10, 2026
• Live Virtual Auction: June 17, 2026
• Silent Auction Closes: June 20, 2026, at 8:00 PM CST
Registration and auction information:
https://event.gives/catchingfire/Catching_Fire_An_Artful_Auction
About Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass
Located in Neenah, Wisconsin, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass is internationally recognized for its collection, exhibitions, and educational programs dedicated to the art, history, and appreciation of glass. Through initiatives such as Catching Fire, the museum supports artists while expanding public engagement with contemporary glass art.
