"Flamingo"
Glass and Steel Sculpture.
Mike Wallace - Toledo Artist
"Creating glass art is an immediate, creative and challenging experience where I use my vision and technical skills to create fine art."
Although I did not start blowing glass until 1997, I've been interested in glass art since I was 12 years old. I have found the color of glass and the way it uses light to be remarkable. There's also something amazing about imagining art and transforming it into a finished piece. Each piece feels like a member of the family.
I studied glassblowing at the Toledo Museum of Art, completing three levels of glass classes as well as several years of independent study at the museum. In 2001, I quit my "day job" to pursue glass art as a full-time career. Supporting me in my journey are my wife, four children, and four cats.
Selected Experience
Glass artist since 1997, fulltime for 8 years. Trained at The Toledo Museum of Art, Pittsburg Glass Center, Corning Museum of Glass and Seattle Hot Glass.
Instructor, Toledo Museum of Art since 2005 - Intermediate glass blowing, Advanced glass blowing, Advanced techniques (encalmo, cane making, goblets) and other special demonstrations.
Head Juror all media for Crosby Festival of the Arts at the Toledo Botanical Gardens, Toledo, Ohio, June 2008, 2009. Glass Art Juror, June 2006.
Selected Awards and Exhibitions
2009 "Sand and Fire", Minnetrista - Award Winner, Munci, IN
"Best of 2009", Ohio Designer Craftsmen, Columbus, OH
2009 Toledo Area Artists Show, Toledo, OH
2008 "Toledo Hot Glass-Four Generations" Invitational, Canton, MI
"Hot Glass 2008", Toledo, OH
"Best of 2008", Ohio Designer Craftsmen - Labino Memorial Award for Excellence in Glass, Columbus, OH
"Glass 3 Exhibit", Invitational, Washington DC
"Hot Glass 2006", Toledo, OH
"Best of 2006", Ohio Designer Craftsmen, Columbus, OH
2006 Toledo Area Artists Show, Toledo, OH
2005 Toledo Area Artists Show, Toledo, OH
All sales on original artwork are final. No discounts apply.