For the Museum of Glass’ (MOG) seventh annual Visiting Artist Summer Series, a new artist will present artwork in the Hot Shop, where glass is blown live in front of an audience, every week through August 30.

Visitors will be able to have a unique view of these artists’ take on glass. The artists have worked in a multitude of varying mediums.

According to Susan Newsom, communications manager for MOG, the Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood is the initial draw for these artists that inevitably show at the museum during the series.

“Pilchuck brings in artists from around the world and country for their programs. We work with them to find out who they are bringing, and then ask certain artists to come exhibit,” Newsom said.

Melissa Post, curator for MOG, says that this series is an opportunity for both the museum and artists.

“We’re offering them (artists) an opportunity to come into the Hot Shop and explore new possibilities. (The program) has grown over the years, and it has expanded and re-shaped the way people look at glass.”

Attendance at this series every summer has included a varied mix of people coming to the museum for different reasons.

“It’s a good mix. The audience in summer tends to be lots of people from out of town. Locals who follow the series and want to know who’s coming also attend it,” Newsom said.

MOG hopes the same kind of interest is generated during this summer’s offering of artists.

One highlight for the show is artist Joe David, who will be exhibiting during the week of July 22-26. According to MOG’s press for the show, “David is recognized as one of the leading contemporary Northwest Coast Native artists. He is a member of the Nootka Tribe, the indigenous people of the west coast of Vancouver Island. He was born in the Clayoquot village of Opitsat on Vancouver Island and grew up in Seattle.”

David’s preference for art switched to Native art after he attended art school in the late 1960s and worked as a commercial artist. David is a woodcarver and is known for his work as a printer, jewelry maker and mask maker.

David has also been an instrumental inspiration and mentor to artist Preston Singletary, who will be exhibiting at the MOG beginning July 11 with his show, “Echoes, Fire and Shadows.” Singletary affirms that David helped him “develop a spiritual connection in a Native context.”

Artist Shelley Allen will also be an intriguing visiting artist, as she primarily works in oil painting. “Allen paints horses with oils. She makes beautiful pieces. She’s Canadian, and comes from a family of horse breeders,” Newsom stated.

The MOG Visiting Hot Shop Artists Summer Series will feature artists exhibiting Wednesday-Sunday for their five-day work residencies every week, and a “Conversation with the Artist” event, including a public lecture and slide presentation, at 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Glass fans and visitors to the museum can also track all of the artists participating in the Summer Series and their work from the MOG website during museum hours. Streaming video footage live from the Hot Shop Amphitheater, MOG gives attendants extra time with the artists, including sneak previews before and after the artist demonstrations. Each artist will also record an introduction to his or her work that will be posted on the MOG website every Wednesday throughout the series.

The Visiting Artist Summer Series is going on now through August 30 at MOG, located at 1801 Dock St. Museum hours are Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Third Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12-5 p.m. Admission is free for members, $10 general, $8 seniors, military and students (13 and older with ID), $8 groups of 10 or more, $4 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 Summer Series, the Hot Shop, the visiting artists or MOG, call (253) 284-4750 or visit www.museumofglass.org.