KNOXVILLE, TN.- The Knoxville Museum of Art presents Josh Simpson: A Visionary Journey in Glass February 6-April 19, 2009. This major exhibition highlights three decades of achievements by one of America's most acclaimed glass artists. More than 100 works trace Simpson's journey from his early goblets and vessels to the spectacular multi-layered sculptures of the present.

Many of Simpson's objects evoke the mysterious realms of outer space or NASA photographs. This extraterrestrial inspiration is especially powerful in his Planets and Megaplanet - transparent spheres encasing colorful and intricately detailed worlds made of glass. Simpson's work has been shown around the world and is in the permanent collections of many museums, including the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the White House Collection of American Crafts, and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague.

The KMA hosts a members-only party Thursday, February 5, 5:30-7:30pm, which includes a gallery talk at 6pm by exhibition artist Josh Simpson.