This speech deals with the challenges posed to the artist working with glass, focusing on the events and personalities that propelled a vision into a movement in the United States.
Beginning with the founders of this movement, who were Harvey Littleton from the US and Erwin Eisch from Germany. They are now considered the "Grandfathers" of the "Studio Glass Movement" together with Dominic Labino who assisted them with the technical knowledge and through the first generation of a few select students. The main personalities of the 1st generation are:

Sam Herrman, Royal College Glass Art Department, London
Marvin Lipofsky, UCLA Berkeley Glass Art Department, USA
Dr. Bob Fritz, Ceramics Art Professor, Glass Art Department, USA
Sybren Valkemar, Glass Art Department, Amsterdam

This generation now masters of their trade, passed down this exciting information to the numerous young artists of the 3rd and to the following generations. Dale Chihuy is one of the most vivid names to dare to go into this field and find an exciting medium of expression.
There is yet another group of artists. Those who bypassed the academic entrance to this profession and would learn by doing, including my humble self. The autodidactic approach which is fueled by pioneer spirit, therefore I will be talking about my long journey of trials and tribulations as a first hand example of what exactly was going on over the passed 30 years. I will be showing you many examples of mature work done by some of the immense number of glass artists who are producing excellent works of art of our times.
I will conclude by giving you a brief preview of what the future of glass art might reveal. In opposition to what some may think, glass art is NOT a dying art but a vital and exuberant art, an ART MOVEMENT that is still moving and spreading. Glass art is weaving itself more and more into our consciousness effecting our daily lives and life styles more than we can image.
                                        - By John Barber