Marking their first professional artistic collaboration ever, internationally-esteemed glass sculptors and Italian-born siblings, Laura de Santillana and Alessandro Diaz de Santillana will be offering up their subtle, intriguingly grand dedication to the art medium during their stint at the Museum of Glass as part of the two-week Visiting Artist residency program in the Hot Shop, spanning Feb. 17-21 and 24-28.

Laura has prior experience in the Hot Shop having worked there in 2009. During that time, she expressed interest in possibly collaborating with her brother, Alessandro in the future.

“That initial mention evolved into a series of extended conversations and subsequently an exhibition proposal, which we are supporting through two, two-week residencies in 2010,” said Melissa Post, curator for the Museum of Glass.

The two artists have descended from Murano’s famed Venini family, and as a result have devoted their lives to the art making process. Their work, while distinct from each other, is inherently elegant.

As collaborations are always interesting and can be different depending upon the pairings utilized in each instance, the sibling factor takes this union to a new, unique level. As Post affirms, this mixing is historic and will be quite the experience for viewers and visitors to the Museum.

“Serendipity plays a large role in a collaboration’s unfolding and that makes them fascinating to watch. Furthermore, as it is the first time that they have worked together, this collaboration is historic. Such residencies allow the Museum of Glass to contribute to contemporary glass history and our visitors, (in the Hot Shop or watching via live stream on our website) to be part of this history in the making.”

The de Santillana artist exhibition comprises a sequence of four rooms designed to manifest as atmospheres and their corresponding vibrations. Each room relates to a part of the visible universe, or physical phenomenon: the earth; the air and wind; the sun and space; the constellations and moon.  The combining of each artist’s compositions together combined with Laura’s array of freestanding sculptures will be a sight to behold.

All of the pieces and artwork to be exhibited by the de Santillana artists will be created during their two two-week residencies, with the first 10 days developing from Feb. 17 through Feb. 21; Feb. 24 through Feb. 28; Sept. 15 through Sept. 19 and Sept. 22 through Sept. 26, making this a show with artistic origins beginning in late winter and extending through the summer.

One staple aspect of the two-week Visiting Artist residency program, Conversation with the Artist series, will be designed by each artist for this particular show and will take place at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Hot Shop. The talk usually allows for artists to discuss their evolution and their current projects, and gives the opportunity to open the stage up for questions thereafter. Post noted that this particular event is not to be missed.

“These conversations offer not only a visual and cerebral feast, but also the opportunity to dialogue with these artists,” Post said.

“I hope the community will visit often, seizing these opportunities to observe two internationally-renowned artists working in our Hot Shop.”

Laura de Santillana and Alessandro Diaz de Santillana’s two-week residency at the Museum of Glass begins Feb. 17 and ends Feb. 28. The Museum of Glass is located at 1801 Dock St. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Third Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free for members, $12 general, $10 seniors, military and students (13 and older with ID), $5 children (6-12) years old, children under 6 are free. Admission is free every Third Thursday of the month from 5-8 p.m. For more information about the Visiting Artist Residency program, the Hot Shop or the Museum of Glass, call (253) 284-4750 or visit www.museumofglass.org.