Please join The Current, An Artist Award for a special opening reception and preview of Ode to Diligence: The Art of Jason McDonald.
Hear remarks from Jason McDonald, The Current, An Artist Award 2026 awardee and Victoria Miles, Rebecca and Jack Benaroya Curator.
Enjoy light bites, cash bar, art activities and music spun by DJ Cousin Chris as well as a display of work from this year’s nominees, Barry Johnson, Emily Martin and Edimbo Lekea.
Questions? Please contact vmiles@tacomaartmuseum.org.
Ode to Diligence: The Art of Jason McDonald is Jason McDonald’s first solo museum exhibition. McDonald is the 2026 awardee of The Current, An Artist Award.
Through his repetition and re-imagination of these historical forms, the objects transform into sculptures and vessels of time, carrying with them the essence of centuries-old traditions, as well as Jason McDonald’s insertion of the representation and notions of Black identity. With commitment to the craft that transcends his own work, McDonald diligently carves out space for those who will follow him through mentoring and the creation of his own glass studio, which he has named Ideal Conditions.
Organized by Tacoma Art Museum and curated by Victoria Miles.
The Current, An Artist Award is supported in part by Tacoma Creates, ArtsFund, the Windrose Fund of Common Council Foundation, and our wonderful Tacoma Art Museum members.
About Jason McDonald
Jason was a student of Hilltop Artists in Tacoma before attending California College of the Arts on a merit scholarship, where he received his BFA with Honors in Glass. Afterwards, he was awarded the Presidential Fellowship from Tyler School of Art and Architecture, earning an MFA. He has a robust teaching practice and has taught numerous workshops at world-class institutions including Penland School of Craft, Pilchuck Glass School, The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass, and many others. He was a contestant on the Netflix show ‘Blown Away’ and frequently collaborates with other artists and designers, such as Solange Knowles’ brand, Saint Heron, for whom Jason designed and fabricated a line of stemware. Currently, McDonald is in the midst of a three-year residency at The Penland School of Craft, where he just finished building his first glass studio.
