Dan Owen Dailey (born February 4, 1947) is an American artist and educator, known for his sculpture. With the support of a team of artists and crafts people, he creates sculptures and functional objects in glass and metal. He has taught at many glass programs and is

professor emeritus ''Emeritus/Emerita'' () is an honorary title granted to someone who retirement, retires from a position of distinction, most commonly an academic faculty position, but is allowed to continue using the previous title, as in "professor emeritus". ...

at the

Massachusetts College of Art Massachusetts College of Art and Design, branded as MassArt, is a public college of visual and applied art in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1873, it is one of the nation's oldest art schools, and the only publicly funded independent art sch ...

, where he founded the glass program. Emerging from the

studio glass Studio glass is the modern use of glass as an artistic medium to produce sculptures or three-dimensional work of art, artworks in the fine arts. The glass objects created are typically intended to make a sculptural or decorative statement, rathe ...

movement initiated by

Harvey Littleton Harvey Littleton (June 14, 1922 – December 13, 2013) was an American glass artist and educator, one of the founders of the studio glass movement; he is often referred to as the "Father of the Studio Glass Movement". Born in Corning, New York, ...

, Dailey's work has branched out from the mainstream by the incorporation of metal into many of the sculptures. Additionally, he has worked with several glass companies, for more than twenty years. Since 1971, Dailey's work has been featured in more than 150 exhibitions and included in over 350 juried or invitational group shows.

Early life and education

Dan Dailey was born on February 4, 1947, in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

. Dailey attended the

Philadelphia College of Art Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the sixth-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 1,603,797 in the 2020 census. The city is the urb ...

(now called the University of the Arts, BFA 1969) and

Rhode Island School of Design The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD , pronounced "Riz-D") is a private art and design school in Providence, Rhode Island. The school was founded as a coeducational institution in 1877 by Helen Adelia Rowe Metcalf, who sought to increase th ...

(MFA 1972). Dailey studied with

Dale Chihuly Dale Chihuly ( ; born September 20, 1941) is an American glass artist and entrepreneur. He is well known in the field of Glassblowing, blown glass, "moving it into the realm of large-scale sculpture". Early life Dale Patrick Chihuly was born on ...

at RISD, and was Chihuly’s first graduate student. In 1972 to 1973, he was awarded the

Fulbright Fellowship The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of several United States cultural exchange programs with the goal of improving intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between the people o ...

to study glass at the Venini Factory in

Murano Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, northern Italy. It lies about north of Venice and measures about across with a population of just over 5,000 (2004 figures). It is famous for its glass making. It was o ...

, Italy. He is married to Linda MacNeil, an artist also working with glass and metal, primarily in the studio or art jewelry field.

Career

1970s

Dailey worked at

Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts College of Art and Design, branded as MassArt, is a public college of visual and applied art in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1873, it is one of the nation's oldest art schools, and the only publicly funded independent art sch ...

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

from 1973 until 1985; where he was the founder of the glass department. Additionally he taught in 1975 at

Pilchuck Glass School Pilchuck Glass School is an international center for glass art education. The school was founded in 1971 by Dale Chihuly, Ruth Tamura, Anne Gould Hauberg (1917-2016), and John H. Hauberg (1916-2002). The campus is located on a former tree farm in ...

Oldknow, Tina. ''Pilchuck: A Glass School'' (1996) in

Stanwood, Washington Stanwood is a city in Snohomish County, Washington, Snohomish County, Washington (state), Washington, United States. The city is located north of Seattle, at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River near Camano Island. As of the 2020 United States ...

. In the 1970s, Dailey continued to create illuminated sculpture and vase forms, and began to develop

Vitrolite Pigmented structural glass, also known generically as structural glass and as vitreous marble, and marketed under the names Carrara glass, Sani Onyx, and Vitrolite, among others, is a high-strength, colored glass. Developed in the United States i ...

wall reliefs. In 1975, Dailey received a fellowship at the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a Private university, private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1861, MIT has played a significant role in the development of many areas of moder ...

's Center for Advanced Visual Studies in

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a List of cities in the United Kingdom, city and non-metropolitan district in the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It is the county town of Cambridgeshire and is located on the River Cam, north of London. As of the 2021 Unit ...

where he co-taught the class ''Glass, Gas and Electricity'' with German artist

Otto Piene Otto Piene (, 18 April 1928 – 17 July 2014) was a German-American artist specializing in kinetic art, kinetic and technology-based art, often working collaboratively. He lived and worked in Düsseldorf, Germany; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and G ...

. This experimental sculpture class emphasized and explored the phenomenon of illumination. In conjunction with the MIT Research Lab for Electronics, Dailey further studied the qualities of light and glass. From in 1978 to 2003, Dailey created 7 editions of

pâte de verre Glass casting is the process in which glass objects are cast by directing molten glass into a mould where it solidifies. The technique has been used since the 15th century BCE in both Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Modern cast glass is formed by a ...

works with Cristallerie Daum, a French decorative glass studio. Dailey's editions of work with studio Daum include, ''Les Danseurs'', ''Le Vent'', ''Le Joyeau'', ''L’Eau'', ''Le Vin'', ''Le Soleil'', and ''La Dame''. In 1979, he received a

National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the feder ...

Fellowship–Glass award.

1980s

During 1980, Dailey was awarded the Massachusetts Council on the Arts Fellowship–Glass. From 1984 until 1985, he worked as an independent designer and artist with

Steuben Glass Works Steuben Glass is an American art glass manufacturer, founded in the summer of 1903 by Frederick Carder and Thomas G. Hawkes in Corning, New York, which is in Steuben County, from which the company name was derived. Hawkes was the owner of the ...

in Corning, New York. At the request of Steuben, Dailey produced sports-themed designs to be produced on vases, with one design, ''Ice Dancers'', being produced. Additionally from 1984 to 1985, he worked as an independent designer and artist at

Fenton Art Glass Company The Fenton Art Glass Company is a glass manufacturer founded in 1905 by brothers Frank L. Fenton and John W. Fenton. History The original factory was in an old glass factory in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1905. The factory at one time was owned by th ...

, in

Williamstown, West Virginia Williamstown is a city in Wood County, West Virginia, United States, along the Ohio River. It is part of the Parkersburg–Vienna metropolitan area. The population was 2,997 at the 2020 census. The now closed Fenton Art Glass Company was loca ...

. Together with Fenton Art Glass Company, Dailey worked on producing cast glass components of a low-relief mural. Over a period of 20 years, Dailey made 26 large scale murals, one of which was by , weighing over . With numerous assistants, Dailey also blew glass to create various works, notably, the mural ''Science Fiction Series'' (created 1985 to 1986). : *1987 Commission: ''Orbit'',

Rockefeller Center Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commerce, commercial buildings covering between 48th Street (Manhattan), 48th Street and 51st Street (Manhattan), 51st Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. The 14 original Art De ...

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

:In 1987

Henry Geldzahler Henry Geldzahler (July 9, 1935 – August 16, 1994) was a Belgian-born American curator of contemporary art in the late 20th century, as well as a historian and critic of modern art. He is best known for his work at the Metropolitan Museum ...

Milton Glaser Milton Glaser (June 26, 1929June 26, 2020) was an American graphic designer, recognized for his designs, including the I Love New York logo; a 1966 poster for Bob Dylan; the logos for DC Comics, Stony Brook University, Brooklyn Brewery; and his ...

, and

Hugh Hardy Hugh Hardy (July 26, 1932 – March 17, 2017) was an American architect, known for designing and revitalizing theaters, performing arts venues, public spaces, and cultural facilities across the United States. ''The New Yorker'' writer Brendan ...

selected Dailey to make a cast glass relief mural titled ''Orbit'', for the

Rainbow Room The Rainbow Room is a private event space on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Run by Tishman Speyer, it is among the highest venues in New York City. The Rainbow Room was design ...

at the Rockefeller Center. The mural is a by abstract representation of orbiting planets and artistic debris, illuminated from behind with changing colors coordinated with the mood lighting of the dining/dancing space. In 2018 ''Orbit'' was removed and donated to the

Toledo Museum of Art The Toledo Museum of Art is an internationally known art museum located in the Old West End neighborhood of Toledo, Ohio. It houses a collection of more than 30,000 objects. With 45 galleries, it covers 280,000 square feet and is currently in th ...

. Dailey also created wall sconces for various locations around the Rainbow Room complex. These works were later removed and their location is unknown. *1987 Solo exhibition:

Renwick Gallery The Renwick Gallery is a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum located in Washington, D.C. that displays American craft and decorative arts from the 19th to 21st century. The gallery is housed in a National Historic Landmark building that ...

Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution ( ), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, Education center, education and Research institute, research centers, created by the Federal government of the United States, U.S. government "for the increase a ...

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

:Henry Geldzahler wrote an essay for the catalog, in which he noted, "Dan Dailey's achievement is in the seamless marriage he effects in his work in every medium between the idiosyncratic convolutions of his inner landscape and the classic harmony and lucidity of the great tradition in glass, of whom Daum, Nancy and Lalique are giants. Dailey's work joins in that tradition, but with a contemporary spin that causes the viewer to smile in complicity."1987 exhibition catalogue titled ''Dan Dailey: Simple Complexities in Drawings and Glass 1972-1987''. Renwick Gallery, National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. *1987 Retrospective exhibition of Dan Dailey’s work at the

University of the Arts (Philadelphia) The University of the Arts (UArts) was a Private university, private Art school, arts university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its campus made up part of the Avenue of the Arts (Philadelphia), Avenue of the Arts cultural district in Center Cit ...

, Rosenwald Wolf Gallery :The exhibition, curated by Eleni Cocordas, consisted of fifty works, including illuminated sculpture,

wall reliefs, vases, and pastel drawings. *1989 Masters Fellowship, Creative Glass Center of America

1990s

*1993 collections: Musée des Arts Décoratifs,

Louvre The Louvre ( ), or the Louvre Museum ( ), is a national art museum in Paris, France, and one of the most famous museums in the world. It is located on the Rive Droite, Right Bank of the Seine in the city's 1st arrondissement of Paris, 1st arron ...

, Paris :Dailey work titled ''The Doctor'' from 1988 is accepted into their permanent collection. *1994 commission: Boca Palms :26 special edition vases commissioned by the

Boca Raton Museum of Art Founded by artists, the Boca Raton Museum of Art was established in 1950 as the Art Guild of Boca Raton. The organization has grown to encompass an Art School, Guild, Store, and Museum with permanent collections of contemporary art, photography, ...

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

. *1998 Invited Artist:

Waterford Crystal Waterford Crystal is an Irish manufacturer of crystal glassware, especially cut glass products. It is named after the city of Waterford in Ireland. In January 2009, the main Waterford Crystal manufacturing base on the edge of Waterford was cl ...

in Ireland :Dailey was invited to work as an independent artist by Waterford Crystal, Kilbarry, Ireland, in 1998. Dailey visited three times between 1998-1999 to create

chandelier A chandelier () is an ornamental lighting device, typically with spreading branched supports for multiple lights, designed to be hung from the ceiling. Chandeliers are often ornate, and they were originally designed to hold candles, but now inca ...

s, wall sconces, and seven engraved vases, using particular processes unique to the history and specialty of Waterford Crystal. *1998 awards **Fellow of the

American Craft Council The American Craft Council (ACC) is a national non-profit organization that champions craft based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1943 by Aileen Osborn Webb, the council hosts national craft shows and conferences, publishes a quarterly m ...

, ACC College of Fellows **Outstanding Achievement in Glass, UrbanGlass **Honorary Lifetime Membership Award, Glass Arts Society

2000s

*2000 Libensky Award, Chateau Ste. Michelle Vineyards & Winery *2001 awards **President's Distinguished Artist Award, University of the Arts, Philadelphia **Masters of the Medium Award
James Renwick Alliance
*Art of Liberty Award,

National Liberty Museum The National Liberty Museum is located at 321 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The museum opened to the public in January 2000. The museum states that it is an independent learning and exhibit center supported by visitors, communi ...

, Philadelphia *2004 commission: Tribute Chandelier,

Providence Performing Arts Center The Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC), formerly Loew's State Theatre and Palace Concert Theater, is a multi-use not-for-profit theater located at 220 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It was built in 1928 as a movie ...

Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...

*2007 publication: ''Glassigator'', written and illustrated by Dan Dailey and Allison MacNeil Dailey in conjunction with the

:The Toledo Museum of Art, a museum whose major focus is on glass, asked Dailey to create a

children's book Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. In addition to conventional literary genres, modern children's literature is classified by the intended age of the reade ...

explaining and illustrating the process of glassblowing. Dailey collaborated with Allison Dailey, who developed the characters and executed all of the final watercolor drawings for the book. The book is based on the making of a particular vase titled ''Alligator'', from Dailey's ''Animal Vase'' series begun in 1992. *2007 publication: ''Dan Dailey'', a 384-page volume on Dailey's work, published by Harry N. Abrams. :The book, a comprehensive view of Dailey's work from 1968 to 2007, includes 460 illustrations and 400 full-color images, and was designed and edited by Joe Rapone. Writing and essays are by

, Tina Oldknow, and William Warmus. *2007 Silver Star Alumni Award, College of Art and Design at the

*2008-09 Residency: G.A.P.P Glass Residency (Guest Artist Pavilion Project)

, Toledo, Ohio :Dailey was asked to be a part of the G.A.P.P. The focus of the residency was to study and respond to the museum's collection, with a focus on landscape and paintings. Dailey's glass mural project for the museum was begun in 2008 and is now in progress. *2009–Present: ''Materialism'' lecture series,

, Boston :Dailey conducted a series of artist interviews, in collaboration with Joe Rapone, which explore the notion of "Materialism", a term that includes a rethinking of movements of the 1970s, specifically the Studio Craft Movement.

2010 and onward

*2010 Guest Artist Pavilion Project - Artist Residency,

, Toledo, OH *2012 Exhibition ''Dan Dailey: Working Method'',

Fuller Craft Museum Fuller Craft Museum is an arts and crafts museum in the city of Brockton, Massachusetts, 25 miles south of Boston. It receives 20,000 visitors a year. It contains contemporary craft-based art of many different genres and origins. It is the onl ...

, Brockton, Massachusetts :Dailey named ''Professor Emeritus'' at

, Boston, MA *2013 Visiting Artist Fellowship,

Museum of Glass The Museum of Glass (MOG) is a contemporary art museum in Tacoma, Washington, dedicated to the medium of glass. Since its founding in 2002, the Museum of Glass has been committed to creating a space for the celebration of the studio glass movem ...

, Tacoma, WA *2014 Exhibition ''Dan Dailey: Illuminated Works'' 7,

World Trade Center World Trade Centers are the hundreds of sites recognized by the World Trade Centers Association. World Trade Center may also refer to: Buildings * World Trade Center (1973–2001), a building complex that was destroyed during the September 11 at ...

, New York *2014 Exhibition ''Dan Dailey: Working Method'',

, Brockton, MA, 19 works *2014 Publication ''Dan Dailey: Visions Realized'',

, Brockton, MA, 56 pp :Distinguished Educator Award,

of the Smithsonian American Art Museum :Lifetime Achievement Award, Glass Art Society *2019 Exhibition ''Dan Dailey: Character Sketch'',

Chrysler Museum of Art The Chrysler Museum of Art is an art museum on the border between downtown and the Ghent district of Norfolk, Virginia. The museum was founded in 1933 as the Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences. In 1971, automotive heir, Walter P. Chrysler Jr ...

, Norfolk, VA 39 works *2019 Publication ''Dan Dailey: Character Sketch'',

, Norfolk, VA 50 pp

Public museum collections

United States

Europe

Other locations

Gallery

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dailey, Dan 1947 births Living people Artists from Philadelphia American glass artists Rhode Island School of Design faculty Massachusetts College of Art and Design faculty Sculptors from Pennsylvania University of the Arts (Philadelphia) alumni Rhode Island School of Design alumni