Glass: the jewel-like medium.  For thousands of years, people have been attracted to precious objects made from glass.  Master craftsmen would work with glass in molten form to make standard glasses, plates, and other common wares.  Some of these craftsmen would make highly artistic pieces that were highly sought after.  In recent times however, the need for craftsmen to make everyday glassware is nearly ancient history with the advent of modern manufacturing.  However, there are people who still keep the artistic form of glassmaking alive.  Now in his 60's, Daniel Edler is one of those people.  He has spent his life making an impression in the art-glass world, and in doing so has become one of the most skilled glass artists in the nation.  His works are admired and collected by a large following in the United States and abroad, and has for many years been praised for its beautiful colors and powerful forms.

        Edler's work is totally unique, and defies being categorized.  Each piece is unique not only because it is individually hand made, but because the colors used are created at the time the piece is made.  In other words, certain chemicals are used to react with the molten glass and create vibrant colors.  Using this method of coloring the glass makes an unlimited pallet of colors.  The only limit to colors created is the imagination of the artist.

        Edler's pieces are in a continual state of change, and he is always searching for new ways to express his ideas through glass, constantly introducing new forms and designs in his work which his admirers look forward to year after year.  He is one of the few artists working in hot glass as a fine art expression, and his extensive background studying the fine arts has truly come across in his intriguing use of line, color, and shape.

        In recent years, Edler has begun a totally new expression; his dynamic work with glass sculpture.  His education in architectural art comes into play with these works; the sculptures are architectural in form.  Many types of glass, as well as hot-shaped forms, are utilized as essential parts of the construction.  These works range from table top size to 14 feet in size.    These sculptures are being used in commercial and domestic situations and have been acquired by many collectors.

        His glass has been featured three times in the International Design Journal, as well as many other art publications.  His works are displayed everywhere from individuals homes, to art galleries and museums around the country.  His pieces are popular as personal gifts as well as corporate gifts when people want to give something unique that can't be found in stores.  President George Bush Sr. even acquired a piece for the art collection at the White House while he was in office, and Barbara Bush sent Daniel a note stating how much they admired the piece.

Education and Experience

        Daniel Edler became interested in art early in his life.  He was skilled with electronics in high school, and was offered a scholarship for electrical engineering at the University of Illinois.  After serious consideration, he decided he wanted to pursue his art talent, which he felt was more fitting to his personality.  Although he passed up a more stable career as an engineer, he says he would still do the same if given the chance again.

        He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Northern Iowa, in which he focused on art education.  Upon graduating in 1962, he took a job teaching junior high art in Springfield, IL.  After a year of teaching, he decided he wanted to develop in the art field and work toward becoming a professional artist.  He enrolled in the School for American Craftsmen of The Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY.  There he studied clay and ceramics technology.  From the School for American Craftsmen, he was accepted into graduate school at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA.  There he studied pottery, and became interested in architectural history.  By 1965, he finished his MA thesis in architecture, and his studio work was in pottery.  He also was first introduced to glass work at that time, but didn't take it on fully until a few years later.

        During this time, Daniel was working as a Resident Artist and Director of Visual Arts at a private 4 year college prep school called Scattergood, which was in West Branch, IA.  During his time there, he along with 4 other people, were able to develop the schools visual arts program to national prominence.  Also during this time he was developing his art business skills, and by 1965 when he earned his MA degree, he had 20 outlets selling his pottery.  

        He continued working with his business, and teaching at Scattergood after earning his MA degree.  In 1967, he returned to the University of Iowa to earn his Master of Fine Arts degree, which is the highest degree in visual art.  He continued his study with pottery and sculpture for his MFA degree, and did his thesis about a new use of clay in sculpture that had large dimensions, up to 8 feet.

        After earning his MFA degree, he was still teaching at Scattergood and running his small pottery business, but things were soon going to change.  In 1968, he took students on a school trip to a glassblowing studio in Rochester, MN.  He wanted to introduce the students to this exciting form of art, and learn how to set up a studio of their own back at school.  When they returned to school, they set up their glass studio in the art department and began to develop their skills in glassblowing.  Daniel developed his glassblowing craft well, and in 1971 while on sabbatical leave, he was invited to be a guest artist at the Stuart and Sons Crystal Company in Stourbridge, England.  From there, he continued traveling around Europe and was a guest artist at many famous glass working schools and companies.  This experience was much like that of a traditional journeyman in most trades.  He traveled to Edinburgh College of Art in Edinburgh, Scotland; Venini Glass Works in Venice, Italy; Leerdam Glassworks in Leerdam, the Netherlands; Royal College of Art in London, England; Stourbridge Art School in Stourbridge, England; and Brieley Hill Glass Library in Brieley Hill, England.

        Upon returning to the United States in 1972, he received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to work as a resident glassblower for the State of West Virginia.  In 1973, he was employed by Fenton Art Glass Company to develop a contemporary glass product line.  After only one year however, he decided to use his knowledge of art and business to establish his own studio.  It was 1974, and the country was still feeling the effects of the energy crisis, so he surveyed several areas in the country for the ability to support the natural gas resources needed to set up a glass studio.  For his final decision, he went with a small town right outside of Freeport, Illinois called Cedarville.  The decision was based largely on the fact that it was a central location in the United States, and that there were ample natural gas supplies to run the glass furnaces.

        From 1974 to the present, Daniel has developed and marketed his works all across the country.  He has been a one-man show promoting his works, doing public relations, running his business, and traveling across the nation exhibiting at top art shows.  In the mix of it all, he has raised a family of 3 kids with his wife Roberta, whom he met in college.

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