Simpson, Josh, 1949-

Dates

• Existence: 1949 (date of birth)

Biography

Josh Simpson was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1949. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1972 and embarked on a career as a glass artist based in Western Massachusetts. Already by the late 1970s, his work was featured in significant group exhibitions, including "American Crafts at the White House" (1977) and "New Glass: A Worldwide Survey" (1979). His first of many solo exhibitions was held in 1984. Simpson's work is housed in many museum collections, including The Corning Museum of Glass, Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), Newfields (formerly Indianapolis Museum of Art), and the Ringling Museum of Art.

Simpson is best known for his glass planets, paperweights inspired by planetary forms and science and made in a variety of sizes. In 2005 The Corning Museum of Glass commissioned Simpson to create a 100 lb. paperweight, titled "Megaplanet," as the 1000th paperweight in the Museum's collection and featured in the exhibition "Worlds Within: The Evolution of the Paperweight."

Simpson has also held a number of leadership positions in his field. He has served as a board member of the American Craft Council, founding president of the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, and President and Treasurer of the Glass Art Society. He is also a Fellow of The Corning Museum of Glass.

Simpson is married to retired astronaut Catherine "Cady" Coleman.

Bibliography:

"Josh Simpson's 100-Pound Megaplanet." The Corning Museum of Glass. https://www.cmog.org/article/josh-simpsons-100-pound-megaplanet

Resume. Josh Simpson Glass. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53d917dde4b0fa5b69627700/t/5790f74059cc68a958ca9592/1469118288233/RESUME%28long%29+7.2016.pdf

Found in 1 Collection or Record: