[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CHRISTOPHER RIES IS WORLD'S PREMIER GLASS SCULPTOR

                                 ______


                         HON. JOSEPH M. McDADE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 1996

  Mr. McDADE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of 
Christopher Ries, who is one of the world's premier glass sculptors. On 
March 24, the Everhart Museum in Scranton, PA, will present a 
retrospective of Mr. Ries' work called Glass and Light. This 
retrospective will showcase Mr. Ries' lifetime of effort to mold glass 
into works of art which capture and transform light in unique and 
beautiful ways.
  As a student at the Ohio State University, Mr. Ries learned to 
appreciate the qualities of glass during course work in ceramics. He 
pursued this interest through studying glass engineering and by 
designing and building a glass studio at Ohio State.
  The cofounder of the Modern Glass Movement, Harvey Littleton, was so 
impressed with Mr. Ries' work at Ohio State that he invited him to be 
his assistant at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. While 
subsequently pursuing his master of fine arts degree, Mr. Ries opened 
his own studio at Mineral Point, WI.
  Mr. Ries began to achieve international acclaim after establishing a 
relationship with Schott Glass Technologies in Duryea, PA, which 
creates optical glass of optimum clarity and brilliance. In a unique 
partnership between artist and industry, Schott allowed Mr. Ries the 
use of its facilities in order to produce the world's largest crystal 
sculptures. In 1988, these magnificent pieces were exhibited in an 
exclusive showing at the Cincinnati Art Museum which, according to 
museum officials, was the most popular in the museum's history.
  Mr. Ries presently maintains a studio in Tunkhannock, PA, where he 
continues to mold glass into beautiful works of art. It is a privilege 
for the 10th Congressional District to count Mr. Ries as a resident and 
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his contributions to the 
world of art.

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