Ken Williams Jr. beadwork on view at Corning Museum of Glass
The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) has unveiled its new 2026 Rakow Commission artwork by beadwork artist Ken Williams Jr. (b. 1983, Northern Arapaho and Cattaraugus Seneca).
Williams Jr.’s piece, entitled I Am the Hungry Cat, is part of his “Yum Series” and features the artist’s cat, Valentino, alongside his favorite foods. Williams Jr. grew up surrounded by beadwork on the Cattaraugus Seneca Indian Territory, and later honed his technique with the guidance of bead workers from his mother’s Northern Arapaho family. Celebrated for his pictorial beadwork, Williams Jr. uses the art form to tell stories that connect his Indigenous heritage with contemporary sensibilities, creating a distinct innovation in the craft. Visitors can now view the piece in CMoG’s Contemporary Art + Design Galleries.
The Rakow Commission, now in its 40th year, supports the creation of a new work in glass by an artist pushing the boundaries of the material and whose work is not yet in CMoG’s permanent collection. One of the most prestigious awards for artists working in glass, it recognizes global creatives with a monetary award and resources to continue to push the field.
About the Artist
Ken Williams Jr. is a contemporary bead worker who began his career at an early age, experimenting as a self-taught artist who learned by observing family and friends. He completed his BA in museum studies at the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe (2007), and while there took beadwork classes from noted beadwork artist Teri Greeves.
Since 2003, he has participated in the Southwest Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Annual Indian Market, Santa Fe, and since 2006 in the Heard Museum Annual Indian Market and Festival, Phoenix.
Williams Jr.’s work has been widely exhibited and has garnered many awards. His work is also in many permanent collections, including the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Heard Museum, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC), Montclair Art Museum, Utah Museum of Natural History, Utah Arts Council, National Museum Scotland, and the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College, as well as many private collections nationwide.
About the Museum
In 2026, the Corning Museum of Glass celebrates 75 years as the foremost authority on the art, history, and science of glass. It is home to the world’s most important collection of glass, including the finest examples of glassmaking spanning 3,500 years.
Live glassblowing demonstrations (offered at the Museum and on the road) bring the material to life. Daily Make Your Own Glass experiences at the Museum enable visitors to create work in a state-of-the-art glassmaking studio. The campus in Corning includes The Studio, a year-round glassmaking school celebrating 30 years in 2026, and the Rakow Research Library, with the world’s preeminent collection of materials on the art and history of glass.
Located in Corning, the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York State, the Museum is open daily 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. from April through December. Winter Hours (January–March) are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday (closed Wednesdays).
Children and teens, 17 and under, receive free admission.
