VITRIX HOT GLASS STUDIO

ABOUT THE ARTIST 

Thomas P. Kelly
Corning, New York

Thomas P. Kelly In 1982 when Thomas Kelly went to work for Bob Rockwell—the world’s leading collector of Carder-Steuben glass—he had no idea that glass would end up playing such a major role in his life. After working for Mr. Rockwell for several years, Tom's attention was drawn down the street to the glass studios of Alex Brand and Thomas Buechner where he had the opportunity to learn from two distinctly different artists each having their own unique talents. Eventually, Tom found himself blowing glass full time with Thomas Buechner III at Vitrix Hot Glass Studio. Over the next ten years, Tom's glass working skills and aesthetic sensitivity continued to develop. When Buechner made the decision to leave glass to grow in another direction, Tom was ready to take over ownership of Vitrix.

“Hot glass challenges me constantly,” says Tom, “I don’t think I really control the molten glass, I just influence it. Each piece is made of uncompromising quality and craftsmanship. I am passionate about bringing the craft and design together to give each piece its own character. My team and I work together we’re all involved in the creation of new pieces we start with an idea and work the glass until it gives us something back.”

Kelly’s work has been published and exhibited internationally and can be found in fine stores and galleries across the United States and in Canada, Europe, and Japan. Museum collections include the Corning Museum of Glass, Victoria and Albert Museum, Museum fur Kunst and Gewerbe, High Museum of Art, and others.