Dorothy & Jacque Vallier Early American Pressed Glass Goblet Collection
Arguably the premiere pressed glass goblet collection in the country, this collection was given to the university in 1984 and contains over 1,000 individual goblets and 100 additional glass articles. Displayed in cases that span the exterior walls of the gallery, the Vallier Collection enables students, scholars, collectors, as well as community members to experience the extraordinary breadth of this special collection. It is one of the truly unique treasures here at UW-Stevens Point.
Collection Overview
Reflections: A Preface
Little did Dorothy and Jacque Vallier know that when they serendipitously began collecting pressed glass goblets it would be the beginning of a world-class collection. Inspired by a GOOSEBERRY sugar and creamer from her family’s farm, Dory began to collect goblets at the time Jacque was completing his collection of implements and memorabilia for a logging museum. After their first goblet purchases in 1969, Dory and Jacque shared a serious interest in pressed glass collecting. Together, they kept detailed records of each purchase and its particular attributes.
By 1984 they had acquired over 1200 different patterns of pressed glass goblets and the collection was outgrowing their home. In July, 1984, the Valliers gave the entire collection to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Sharing their personal property for the benefit and edification of others was not new to Dory and Jacque. They gave the university its experimental forest, Treehaven in 1979. In addition to giving their elaborate and well-documented goblet collection to the university, they generously helped underwrite the costs of a permanent installation in the Fine Arts Center, and the research and publication of this catalog.(50 Favorites: Early American Pressed Glass Goblets)
The installation includes five permanent exhibition cases to display the Vallier collection and an introductory section. The introductory case highlights the production and collecting history of pressed glass and, along with the catalog, helps accomplish the Valliers’ main objective: To increase an awareness and appreciation of pressed glass for the enthusiast as well as the novice.
A leading authority on glass, Kirk J. Nelson, was chosen to write the critical essays for this catalog. He skillfully illuminates what is known about the specific origins of each goblet and tells facinating stories of how the events and culture of 19th-century America are revealed in various designs and patterns. Detailed photographs strengthen the documentary nature of this catalog.
The addition of such an outstanding collection of American pressed glass would please any institution. The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is fortunate to have the vision and unflagging enthusiasm of Dory and Jacque Vallier who bring this unique and beautiful collection to light for all of us.
Renee Gouaux Project Director and Exhibition Curator
April, 1993
(Excerpted from the catalog: (50 Favorites: Early American Pressed Glass Goblets Selections from the Dorothy and Jacque Vallier Collection)
Other Items in Our Permanent Collection
The Permanent Collection of the College of Fine Arts & Communication serves as a resource for students and faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, for the extended community of Stevens Point, the state of Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Given to the college by Janice and Jean-Pierre Golay, this collection features prints by nationally known artists including: Robert Cottingham, Emmi Whitehorse, Robert Stackhouse, and Karen Kunc. Prints from this collection are regularly exhibited in the Carlsten Gallery.
This collection was made possible by a generous gift from Richard and Myrna Schneider.
William C. Bunce Artists’ Book Archive
This collection, devoted to honoring the traditions of artist books, was made possible through a donation by the estate of Bill Bunce, the late director of the Kohler Arts Gallery at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The collection is currently housed in the University Library.
This collection is of student ceramic works was established in 1979 in memory of former student, Susan Piotrowski. It documents the development of ceramics by UWSP students from 1979 to the present.