The Fenton Art Glass Collectors Association will be having its annual convention today through Thursday at the Marietta Shrine Club. (File Photo)

MARIETTA — The Fenton Art Glass Collectors Association will be having its annual convention today through Thursday at the Marietta Shrine Club.

According to Claire Kauffing, FAGCA has almost 100 people registered for the upcoming event. People will be coming from all over the country, including states as far away as New Hampshire and Florida.

At the convention, FAGCA will have display tables featuring members’ glass art.

“Many of our events will be open to the public,” said Kauffing in a press release announcing the convention.

On Thursday afternoon, members of FAGCA will discuss the former church in Williamstown that was bought by the group and will become The Museum of Fenton Art Glass.

Dave Kingsley, President of FAGCA and the Museum Committee, the group has the building purchased, but they are just starting the fundraising for the project. Kingsley noted the organization is trying to get the interior plans set in place and get the inside of the building refurbished.

“Our goal is to keep the love of Fenton alive, even though the Fenton Factory closed in 2011,” said Kauffing.

With convention registration starting at 7 a.m. today the convention starts off at 8 a.m. with art glass sales for members only. At 10:15 a.m., FAGCA will host their first seminar of the week with the main purpose of breaking the ice. At 1 p.m., FAGCA will bring in ex-Fenton glass artists for a glass workshop. During this workshop participants will learn to paint on glass the way the glass artists did in Fenton factories.

“It’s crazy how much more we appreciate the glass after we paint on it,” said Kauffing.

FAGCA will start merchandise sales for their museum at 4 p.m. today after the workshop. There will also be a consignment auction, which will be open to the public, at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, FAGCA will open their display tables to the public. Kauffing said there will be 16 display tables at the Shrine Club during the convention. At 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, FAGCA will hold another seminar, open to the public, where they will bring in Fenton glass experts to help collectors find out whether their glass is Fenton or not. Afterwards, FAGCA will bring in ex-Fenton artists so they can share their experience working in a Fenton factory. Later on Wednesday, the convention will have Fenton glass trivia, Fenton bingo and a pizza and ice cream social.

Thursday will wrap up the convention with guest speakers, another seminar, a museum update and a meeting with the members.

Clara Noelle can be reached at intern@newsandsentinel.com