GLANC visit with Glass Collector Jim Della at his home in the S.F. Bay Area March 9th,2025

By Vivien Hart

In March GLANC had a delightful visit with long time glass collector Jim Della. Without notes in hand Jim shared his knowledge of an extraordinary  array of glass and the stories behind the art, dating back to the 1980’s. It  was interesting for the group to hear the perspective from someone who collects art. Jim grew up in an artistic family with a mother who painted extensively. Many of her beautiful paintings were hung throughout  the house. Jim shared how he enjoyed collecting things as a child and had both a stamp collection as well as a collection of baseball cards.

As an adult Jim developed a fondness for butterflies and began collecting them. One of his rooms is dedicated to butterflies, although a few pieces of glass managed to slip in there. Jim Della is quite  creative himself and showed us a series of gorgeous dried flower and butterfly arrangements he made. He also has a large collection of intricately cross-stitched cushions also made by hand. Jim shared that his fascination with glass started in the mid-eighties when he was gifted two glass pieces on two consecutive Christmases. This spurred him forward to research and become a glass collector.

​One of his first pieces was a large Gundi, Viviani-Finch clear vase made with many recycled tumbled glass strips that were meticulously glued together to create the whole. There was a colorful Klaus Moje bowl, a gorgeous piece by April Surgent a large Amber Cowan and a nest by Demetra Theofanus. The collection also included some of Chihuly’s original drawings and paintings, including one with his footprints. There were glass works representing a range of techniques including cast glass pieces,fused glass pieces, blown glass, pâte de verre and flame-worked glass art.

What became clear by the end of the tour is that Jim Della not only loves his glass works but also the relationships he has developed over time with the artists. He is a true believer and supporter of the glass arts. Thank you Jim Della for your time in sharing your collection and your enthusiasm for the artists behind the work. It was an unforgettable day!