The Sopranos are great, but there's a lot more to Italian culture than track suits and racketeering. Beginning tomorrow the Museum of Glass welcomes Italian glass master Lino Tagliapietra to its Visiting Artist residency showcasing the legitimate side of Boot culture.

Legitimate, I’ll say.

Tagliapietra, 72, has been kicking glass since the age of 11 in Murano, Italy. At age 21, he earned the title of maestro.  His visit to Seattle in 1979 drew bitter criticism from his fellow Murano glass masters for teaching the Northwest masters his mad skills.

I’m thrilled he’s back to teach us (well, not me) more.  In fact, his visit this week heralds his show at the Museum of Glass in February. 23. â€" Suzy Stump

[Museum of Glass, Oct. 24-28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., $4-$10, 1801 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.396.1768]