Experience Pilchuck Glass School’s breathtaking and historic campus in a whole new light this fall for our third annual Light the Forest. This self-guided tour of neon art and light installations in the Pacific Northwest forest will feature work by local artists and longtime Pilchuck alumni, Jen Elek and Jeremy Bert.
This event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience a self-guided walking tour of neon art and light installations in the Pacific Northwest forest. This year's event will run for two evenings, November 8 and 9, and feature work by local artists and longtime Pilchuck alumni, Jen Elek and Jeremy Bert. All pieces in Light the Forest are available for purchase and commissioned works by the artists are available upon request.
Pilchuck Glass School is an international center for glass art education nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains amidst a working tree farm. Since its inception in 1971, Pilchuck's serene campus has been a place where glass artists from all over the world convene for shared creative experiences, reflection, inspiration, and learning. Get a taste of Pilchuck's creative magic at the most unique art walk you'll ever attend.
Children under 14 years of age have free admission to tour the installations. All add-ons require a separate ticket.
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Sign up for a make-your-own session and see first-hand what it’s like to work with molten glass! Craft a charming ornament, and choose from a vibrant array of colors and patterns. You'll receive one-on-one assistance to help you bring your artistic vision to life! Your molten glass creation will need to cool overnight, but we will pack it with care and ship it directly to your doorstep.
There are a limited number of slots, so don’t hesitate—sign up today! Please note: Participants must book their slot on the same day they attend. One piece of glass art per ticket. Open to all ages 6 and up.
Join us for an exciting introduction to neon making! This four-hour workshop will be focused on getting participants into the studio, bending glass, and illuminating their own art. Each student will walk away with a gestural illuminated sculpture—contained and ready to be displayed in your home! Students should expect to get a feel for the way glass tubing is manipulated in a flame and leave with a basic understanding of how neon works. This is a great opportunity for folks who have no glass experience and for those interested in neon art!
Please note: Guests must attend the workshop for the same day they’ve booked their ticket to view the exhibition. Each add-on on is good for one person. Workshop is welcome to everyone ages 18+.
Jen Elek is a studio artist and educator based in Seattle, Washington. Through immersive installations composed of blown glass, steel, and neon, Elek explores themes of human connection and community. Her vibrant work highlights the physical and symbolic properties of her materials—their ability to reflect, magnify, and radiate bold color and emotion.
Elek earned her BFA from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. Originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, she became an integral part of the Northwest arts community after relocating to Seattle in 1995.
An active and respected presence in the international glassblowing community, Elek has taught workshops around the world, including at the Sydney College of the Arts, JamFactory in Adelaide, Australia, Hilltop Artists, the Pilchuck Glass School, Penland School of Crafts, UrbanGlass in New York, and The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass. She has also served as a visiting lecturer at Jacksonville University (FL) and the University of Washington (Seattle).
Elek has worked alongside many notable artists and spent 15 years as a key member of Lino Tagliapietra’s glassblowing team. Her artistic contributions have been recognized through residencies at institutions including the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, the Pittsburgh Glass Center, and UrbanGlass in Brooklyn. Jen serves on the board of Pilchuck Glass School.
Jen shares a Seattle-based studio with her husband and frequent collaborator, Jeremy Bert. Together, they recently completed a permanent public installation titled The Illuminated Palouse for the Port of Seattle, located near the D gates at SeaTac International Airport.
Jen Elek is represented by Traver Gallery in Seattle, Washington.
Jeremy Bert is a Seattle-based artist working primarily with electric light, neon, and manipulated reclaimed signage. Originally from Montana, he developed an early interest in ceramics, which led him to the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, where he earned his BFA in 1994.
In 1995, Jeremy moved to Seattle, WA, where he has worked for over 20 years as a licensed sign electrician, certified welder, crane operator, and light project designer. He has taught neon workshops at Pilchuck Glass School (Stanwood, WA), UrbanGlass (New York, NY), and Penland School of Craft (Penland, NC).
Jeremy’s work is included in both public and private collections. He has exhibited at institutions such as the Museum of Neon Art (Los Angeles, CA), Jenkins Johnson Gallery (San Francisco, CA & New York, NY), Traver Gallery (Seattle, WA), and the Museum of Glass (Tacoma, WA). His piece Transient Light Graffiti is part of the permanent collection at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (PA).
A core element of Jeremy’s practice is a commitment to reuse and transformation. By re-appropriating the discarded materials of the sign industry, he reclaims commercial waste and reimagines it as meaningful, community-enriching sculpture.
Jeremy and his wife, artist Jen Elek, maintain a home studio in South Seattle where they work collaboratively with neon, clay, and steel. Jeremy and Jen recently completed a commission for the Port of Seattle at SEATAC airport located near the D gates.
Jeremy is represented by Traver Gallery in Seattle, WA.
Experience Pilchuck Glass School’s private campus in a whole new light this fall for our second annual Light the Forest event. This event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience a walking tour of neon art installations in the Pacific Northwest forest.
New and experienced artists alike often make tremendous conceptual and artistic progress in their short time at Pilchuck. Combining a deep focus on glass, access to a variety of resources, a picturesque Pacific Northwest setting and an ever-expanding international community of artists, Pilchuck has become the most comprehensive educational center in the world for glass artists.