Biography

When I was seven years old, I saw glassblowing for the first time at a local university. I haven't been the same since.

I began my study of glass as an undergraduate at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California where I received a BA in philosophy and minors in glass and literature. Accepted to pursue a PhD in philosophy at SUNY Binghamton, I chose instead to study glass at the graduate level and move to Madison, Wisconsin where I completed my MFA degree in May of 2003.

My work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has included exploration into the vessel and sculptural object. I use glass, not for its mimetic quality to capture the look of stone or plastic, but for its most unique properties; the inclination to flow, the capacity to freeze a moment in time, and its ability to manipulate optics.

Education

• Studied with Boyd Sugiki
  
  

• MFA, Glass and Sculpture 2003

Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC 2002

• Studied with Ché Rhodes

California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA

• BA, Philosophy 1998
• Minor in Glass 1998
• Minor in Literature 1998

Research and Teaching Experience

• Production of the late Mr. Pearson's designs
• Forging, fabrication, stone setting, and casting of fine metals

2000-2003 University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Teaching assistant for the Glass Program

• Provided teaching assistance for glassblowing, casting, and fusing classes
• Built two 400 pound day tanks, two glassblowing benches
• Rebuilt Glory Hole doors, annealers, sandblaster, maintained coldshop equipment
• Planned UW Glass Symposium 2000, UW Outdoor Neon and Light Exhibition 2002, 3 glass fundraisers
• Created Official UW Glass Handbook and Safety Lecture

1999 California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA

• Provided teaching support for glassblowing beginners