The Huntington Museum of Art will present a new exhibit, “A Fragile Peace: The Magic of American Cameo Glass from The Touma Collection,” Saturday, Oct. 1.

All the cameo glass pieces in the exhibit are made by Kelsey Murphy and donated by Doctor Joseph Touma.

Murphy worked at Pilgrim Glass Corporation in Ceredo, West Virginia. In 2002, marketing conditions forced the Pilgrim factory to shut down. Through the support of Touma, Murphy has produced a series of works from the last of the remaining uncarved cameo blanks from the factory that consist of five layers of glass or more.

“The Marshall University Drinko Library has a lot of work that he donated that Kelsey designed in her earlier work,” Chris Hatten, senior curator at the museum said. “These are new things, so we are excited to see those and have them on display here.”

Cameo glass is an ancient technique that the Romans used. It is made by glass blowers blowing a form or shape and layering different colors of glass inside. By etching and carving through the fused layers of colored glass, it creates designs derived from nature, mythology, local landmarks and more.

“This is very sophisticated with the drawing and the design work that goes on and the results are pretty stunning,” Hatten said. “There is one that has scenes from 3rd avenue down by Pullman Square. I think our visitors will really appreciate the work.”

These works of art will join a smaller display of Pilgrim cameo pieces in the HMA Glass Gallery to showcase the glass creations that sprang from this West Virginia-based venture.

“The other angle on this is that Kelsey is getting ready to move to Florida,” Hatten said. “It’s one more chance to honor her for the work she has done here.”

The exhibit will be on display Saturday, Oct. 1 through Jan. 8. The opening reception and catalog debut for this exhibit will be free open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2.

During the reception, Kelsey and Dr. Touma will make a few brief remarks and the HMOA will also unveil a catalog of the show as well. Copies of the catalog will be available for purchase from The Museum Shop.

Krislyn Holden can be contacted at [email protected].