SHELBURNE — During the years of the Bill Clinton administration, one of Josh Simpson’s glass MegaPlanets was in the White House. It was there initially as part of an exhibition called “The White House Collection of American Crafts”; then it remained in the White House until the Clintons left. The exhibition had been assembled at the request of then-first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to celebrate a year of American craftsmanship.
This weekend, the Shelburne glass artist will fly to Little Rock, Ark., for a 25th anniversary showing of the exhibit, at the Bill Clinton Presidential Center. On Sunday, Simpson will be at the Clinton Center, along with Mrs. Clinton and some of the 77 artists whose work is in that exhibit.
“I’m definitely excited about this show,” said Simpson. “Twenty-five years ago seems like a lifetime. I think the world of the Clintons,” he added. “I’m looking forward to seeing Mrs. Clinton again.”
The 1993 exhibit had been curated to show a collection of functional, beautiful works of art from 78 contemporary American artists from the 1990s. The art objects, including Simpson’s 10-inch diameter MegaPlanet, were placed throughout the White House, among the treasured antiques and historic objects. Simpson said his glass planet remained in the White House throughout the Clinton years, then went to other exhibits.
Smithsonian curator Michael Monroe selected Simpson’s artwork for the White House exhibit. In later years, the glass planet was exhibited in the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery. But Simpson’s connection to the Clintons went beyond that one art object.
“For his 50th birthday, Hillary gave Bill one of my planets,” said Simpson. “Possibly, it came from a gallery in Arkansas or from one in Washington. I remember the gallery called me and was very excited that she had bought the piece,” he said.
Simpson spent some time with Mrs. Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, in 1999, when all three were in Houston to watch the launch of the STS-93 space shuttle. Astronaut Catherine “Cady” Coleman, Simpson’s wife, was a mission specialist on that trip. The launch was scrubbed that day, but Simpson had time to speak with Clinton. “I found Hillary to be an extraordinarily intelligent and caring person,” he said.
The 25th anniversary exhibit will be open to the public on Monday.
The Clinton Center team has made a short video of Simpson, among other artists, with brief interviews and a behind-the-scenes look at their art techniques.
The exhibit will remain on display in the Clinton Center through March 2019.