Artist of the Year

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Annie Morhauser is the founder of Annieglass, a highly successful line of glass tableware sold worldwide. Handcrafting her glassware in Santa Cruz County since 1983, Annie developed her company throughout the years to become one of the largest and most successful American glass studios. By combining skills as a designer, artisan, and businesswoman, she has been able to build a highly regarded brand as well as a successful company. Annie’s work is in the collections of such noted museums as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. Annieglass can be purchased in the finest stores, hotels and resorts in the country, and is collected by chefs, celebrities, bridal couples and many loyal local customers.

Annie has accomplished something rare: crossing over into the commercial world while tenaciously retaining her fine art approach. Her downtown Santa Cruz store was one of the first to reopen after the 1989 earthquake. Next year, in 2023, she will celebrate 40 years of creating sculptural glassware with her skilled team of artisans. The Annieglass studio, originally 400 square feet in the Old Sash Mill, is now a manufacturing facility of more than 16,000 square feet in Watsonville. Twice each year a new collection is introduced. Annieglass has invigorated the ancient craft of glassmaking with new technology and original design. In 2017, Annie launched The Craftbar, hosting a variety of workshops in arts and crafts, which functions as a community beacon. The Annieglass retail store is connected to the factory and is run by her daughter, Ava Reinhold; it offers all of the Annieglass collections as well the work by other well-known and local craft artists. Annie serves as an advisor and trustee on the board of her alma mater, the California College of the Arts, where she was a scholarship student.

Over 400 non-profits annually receive cash and in-kind donations, including Jacob's Heart, Girls Inc., Digital Nest, Planned Parenthood of Mar Monte, Salud Para La Gente, Watsonville Film Festival, Second Harvest Food Bank, and the Museum of Art and History. Over 40 scholarships have been awarded to students in need. The Santa Cruz community has been very supportive and generous to Annieglass, Annie and her family. Her son, Taylor Reinhold, recently directed the Sea Walls Santa Cruz murals and follows in the family footsteps of art and community service.