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Seekers® Glass Gallery presents the work of Tom
Stoenner, whose original designs are distinguished by bold color combined with
classic shapes. The artist creates one-of-a-kind signed and dated vases, bowls,
paperweights, goblets and ornaments.
Tom blows each piece freely, without the use of
molds, using traditional glassblowing methods that are thousands of years old.
He creates each piece at the end of a five-foot long metal blowpipe, constantly
spinning and reheating the viscous mass as it has been done for millennia.
He uses ancient glassmaking techniques, along
with many of his own invention. He achieves his distinctive color combinations
through use of concentrated formulations of metallic oxides such as gold,
silver, cobalt and others, which He blends into the molten glass.
He melts the glass in a furnace and works it at
temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. When He completes the blowing
and shaping process, Tom removes the piece from the pipe and places it
into an annealing oven, where it will cool slowly.
The shapes of Stoenner’s Marbro series
vases and bowls are classically simple, allowing the beautiful form of the
pieces to take center stage. The Marbro pieces feature beautiful
saturated jewel toned chips of glass layered over a solid background color for a
dappled effect.
The artist’s sophisticated Champagne
Flutes are blown into an optic mold to create a rippled pattern in the clear
crystal. They are finished with gold leaf applied to the foot of the flute for a
luxurious look.
The artist’s goal in working with glass is to
add enjoyment to functional objects through critical and creative design. His
rule for each piece: does it work? Do the design and the decoration add to the
function? The greatest compliment you can make is to use his work every day!
Stoenner earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree from Hamilton College, then began three years of apprenticeship at Gilmor
Glassworks. He established his own studio in1982 in upstate New York, and
continues to design and create all the work himself.
Stoenner was twice a recipient of the American
Craft Museum Design Award, New York. His art has been featured in New York
Magazine, House Beautiful and other national publications.
Stoenner’s works have been shown throughout
the United States and are included in numerous public and private collections.
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