In The Gallery: Hilltop Artists: All Grown Up

Exhibition: Nov. 4 – Dec. 19, TCC Building 4 Art Gallery

Reception: Nov. 24, 4-6 p.m., TCC Building 4 Art Gallery

Founded by artist Dale Chihuly, gallerist Kathy Kaperick, and a group of community leaders and activists, Hilltop Artists has been connecting Tacoma youth to glass art since 1994. Since the program’s 20 young participants first melted down Snapple bottles and re-shaped them into glass art in the summer of 1994, the program has grown into a nonprofit serving more than 700 people aged 12 – 26 at two world-class hot shop classrooms in Hilltop Heritage Middle School and Dr. Delores Silas High School.

The show’s title, “Hilltop Artists: All Grown Up” references the fact that many of the youth who fell in love with glass art during their high school or middle school years became professional glass artists, and eight of the current Hilltop Artists staff members are program alumni. The exhibition includes work by staff, alumni, and the current students who have collaborated with them on projects.

According to the exhibition statement, “The artists featured in this exhibition show the depth and breadth of expression as it develops through Hilltop Artists. From instructors who dedicate themselves to the students, alumni who are developing as creative entrepreneurs and artists, to the newest graduates collaborating with professional artists, multiple generations are now positively impacting the wider glass community and are showing the world what it means to be a Hilltop Artist!”

Individual Artists

Tony Sorgenfrei

Slay Sliinlaas (Douglas Jan Burgess II)

Saha Tepper-Stewart

Luis Sanchez

Samantha Scalise

Jessica Hogan

Zane Scott

Jacob Willcox

MiShawn Cabrera

Carleigh Templin

Artistic Collaborations

Hilltop Artists students and instructors

Hilltop Artists students and instructors with guest artist Eriko Kobayashi

Hilltop Artists students and instructors with Museum of Glass Hot Shop Team and ten students from national glass programs, visiting Tacoma For the Glass Art Society Annual Conference, 2022

Hilltop Artists students and instructors with guest artist Dan Friday

Hilltop Artists students and instructors with Museum of Glass Hot Shop Team

Hilltop Artists students and instructors with Tacoma Glassblowing Studio Hot Shop Team

 

Learn more about Hilltop Artists at hilltopartists.org.

Learn more about the TCC Art Gallery at tacomacc.edu/thegallery.