Members of the Carder Steuben Glass Association may remember Annika Blake-Howland, whom we met a couple of years ago through our involvement with the Paul Vickers Gardner Glass Center at Alfred University. Annika, who served as coordinator of the Center, has recently received international recognition for her research into one of Frederick Carder’s most celebrated creations, Aurene glass.

Annika was awarded second prize overall in the prestigious Oldfield Award competition, sponsored annually by the Society of Glass Technology in the United Kingdom. The competition recognizes outstanding student research in the science, technology, and art of glass and attracts entries from students around the world.

Her award-winning master’s thesis, “Origin of Iridescence in Frederick Carder’s Aurene Glass: Linking Surface Structure, Heavy Metal Enrichment, and Optical Response,” explores the scientific processes responsible for Aurene’s distinctive iridescent surface.

Using advanced analytical techniques, Annika investigated the chemical composition, surface structure, and optical properties that produce the remarkable colors and shimmering effects so admired by collectors of Carder Steuben glass. Her work brings modern scientific methods to the study of glassmaking techniques developed by Carder more than a century ago.

Annika earned her master’s degree in glass science at Alfred University in May, working under the supervision of Doris Möncke, associate professor of glass science in the Inamori School of Engineering. She is now pursuing a doctorate in materials science at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany, where she continues her investigations of Aurene while expanding her research to include medieval German red glass and Mycenaean gilded blue glass.

During her time at Alfred, Annika helped organize “The Science of Design: Frederick Carder and Paul Vickers Gardner,” an exhibition that brought together art glass, scientific displays, and glass engineering. For those of us who appreciate Carder’s extraordinary achievements, it is particularly gratifying to see a new generation of researchers applying modern science to better understand his innovative glassmaking techniques.

If you would like to dive deeper into Annika’s work, she gave at CMoG’s Seminar on Glass earlier this year and it is available for viewing on YouTube here.

We congratulate Annika on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to following her continuing research.

CSGA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FOR 2027

Be an early bird! We’re starting CSGA membership renewals for 2027. Though your existing membership will continue to be active through December 31, why not get a jump-start on next year and renew today? Carder Steuben Glass Association membership fees remain just $35 for individuals and $55 for a two-person household. Submitting your membership renewal now will keep you as active members through December 31, 2027.  It’s easy to renew online by visiting the CSGA website here.  Thank you so much for your support!