Take a spirited journey through the evolution of American barware with a focus on Libbey Glass and its iconic Mid-Century Modern designs. Join Robert Zollweg to explore how cocktail culture from the 1940s to the 1980s shaped—and was shaped by—glassware trends, from wartime simplicity to space-age glamour. Expect stories, style, and a splash of nostalgia in this look at how we drank in style for nearly half a century.

Robert Zollweg is a native of Toledo, Ohio and has recently retired from Libbey Glass Company where he was Design and Creative Director. He has a passion for designing product in the tabletop industry for almost 48 years. He has designed glassware, flatware and ceramic products for the retail and foodservice industry. He was also fortunate to have been able to work alongside one of the greatest designers in the industry, Freda Diamond for almost 15 years.  He has worked with all the major retailers: Crate and Barrel, Pier One Imports, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Williams-Sonoma, Macy’s, Target, Walmart and even Dollar Tree. Robert has traveled the world extensively looking for color and design trends and the right product to design and bring to the retail and foodservice marketplace. He is also an artist-painter in his spare time and works primarily on canvas using bold colors. His painting style has been called abstract expressionism. He currently is president of the Libbey House Foundation, the original home of Edward Drummond Libbey, the founder of Libbey Glass and lives in Toledo and in his lake home in the artistic community of Saugatuck, Michigan. 

Register for this free presentation at:

Venue Details

Ohio Glass Museum, 1st Floor Auditorium

124 West Main Street
Lancaster, Ohio 43130