Experience Synergy now and forever, on display at Pittsburgh Glass Center.
This new permanent art installation at PGC was created by Sandra Bacchi, a Brazilian-American visual artist based in Pittsburgh, working with photography, glass, and film.
Composed of 330 glass pieces fused with photographic decals sourced from over 23,000 archival images, the work transforms these moments into a vivid story that bridges the past and present, commemorating the rich history of glassmaking in the Pittsburgh region and the community fostered by PGC since its opening in 2001.
"This piece bridges the past and present, much like PGC itself—a place where people, history, and creativity converge to form an ever evolving story."
Synergy reflects the layered nature of time, memory, and connection, celebrating Pittsburgh Glass Center’s welcoming spirit as a place that fosters diversity and unites individuals who make and love glass.
“I walked into Pittsburgh Glass Center in 2019 for an artist residency, not knowing it would transform both my practice and my life. Glass expanded my creative possibilities and deepened my connection to this city. As an immigrant, finding a place to feel at home can be elusive, but PGC’s welcoming community made that possible. Creating Synergy, a permanent public artwork, that tells PGC’s story has been an incredible honor. This piece bridges the past and present, much like PGC itself—a place where people, history, and creativity converge to form an ever evolving story,” Bacchi said.
Its spiral form symbolizes the continuum of time, reflecting on the interconnectedness of events and lives, much like a constellation, where individual stars come together in the night sky to form patterns that tell a larger story. Within this microcosm of creativity and connection, PGC becomes a universe in miniature, where each person and piece contribute to an intricate narrative that mirrors the vast and ever-evolving harmony of the cosmos.
About Sandra Bacchi
Sandra Bacchi is a Brazilian-American visual artist based in Pittsburgh, working with photography, glass, and film. Her documentary and conceptual projects merge fiction and truth, crafting open-ended narratives that explore how people find common ground.
Bacchi has exhibited her work nationally and internationally, including at The National Portrait Gallery, Griffin Museum of Photography, and the solo exhibition “Watermelons Are Not Strawberries” at the Concept Gallery in Pittsburgh, accompanied by a photobook of the same name. Her short film “Seeking Nowhere” was screened at the Toyama Glass Art Museum in Japan, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the GAS Film Festival.
Bacchi discovered her passion for glass during a 2019 Idea Furnace artist residency at PGC. Creating Synergy to honor a place that deeply influenced her has been a tremendous honor. She is proud to contribute to PGC’s mission as a board member (2021–2026).
You’re invited to hear more about Sandra and her work at a free artist talk with Sandra Bacchi, Wednesday, March 12 at 4:30pm.
Archival imagery courtesy of The Heinz History Center, Vitro Architectural Glass (formerly PPG Glass), and Pittsburgh Glass Center. Additional photographic credit to Nathan Shaulis, Sandra Bacchi, and the many community members who contributed and are featured in the artwork.
Funding for this public art project was generously provided by the Javier & Wilburn families, owners of Paul Wissmach Glass Co.
