Artist Statement
My work is inspired by the explosive energy of the physical world and the diversity and contradiction of our emotional world. While my vision for most works is organic in nature, my high standards for technical execution and functionality are always at the forefront. With a focus on kiln formed glass vessels, architectural accents, sculpture, lighting, and personal adornment, I strive to create pieces that evoke excitement, convey movement, achieve balance, and stand apart.

Education: 1987 – Present

2010 – Contemporary Landscapes in Glass,– Roger Thomas, Portland, OR, 4 day workshop; iconic interpretation of photographic images utilizing varied glass materials, kiln forming

2010 – Images in Glass,– Susan Taylor Glasgow, Columbia, MO, 3 day workshop; Silk screening and photo resist techniques employed using enamels on glass, kiln forming

2009 – Mold Making and Kiln Casting,– Erik Whittemore, Santa Fe, AZ, 2 day workshop; Various techniques in mold making and billet casting; including hand building molds, and drip casting

2008 – The Roll Up,– Johnathon Schmuck, Santa Cruz, CA, 4 day workshop; kiln forming and hot shop experience, manipulation of fused tiles in the glory hole

2008 – Visual elements of Design,– Richard Parrish, Bozeman, MT, 4 day workshop; 2-D & 3-D design principles for kiln forming, textural approaches to kiln formed glass

2007 – Coldworking for Professionals,– Johnathon Schmuck, Santa Cruz, CA, 3 day workshop; lathe carving & engraving work, 3-D sculpture & texture development

2007 – Casting the Human Form,– Kerry Transtrum, Layton, Utah, 4 day workshop; lost wax casting, mold making, open face relief casting, finishing

2007 – Art for Architecture,– Roger Nachman, Seattle, WA, 2 day workshop; execution of architectural installations, model/machete development

2007 – Intaglio Carving & Cameo Engraving,– Jiri Harcuba, Prague, CZ, April Surgent, Seattle, WA, 5 day workshop; lathe carving, lathe engraving work, color layering & removal

2007 – Open-Faced Kiln Casting,– Dar Horn, Los Angeles, CA, 2 day workshop; free form clay sculpture, glass casting, investment mold creation

2007 – Pate De Verre Casting,– Jane Persico, Hazelton PA, 3 day workshop; casting, mold preparation, custom color blending

2006 – Advanced Kiln Formed Bowls,– Patty Gray, Seattle, WA, 3 day workshop; casting and advanced cold working techniques

2006 – Kiln Formed Cane,– Kerry Transtrum, Larkin, UT, 2 day workshop; flow bars, millefiore, hot work

2006 – Advanced Kiln Forming,– Brock Craig, Vancouver, BC, 5 day workshop; pattern bars (3 types), reverse iridized processes, powders, foils, frit casting

2005 – Advanced Wire Jewelry,– Wendy Witchner, Anchorage, AK, Instructor

2004 – Reverse Relief Casting,– Kerry Transtrum, Layton, UT, Instructor

2004 – Bullseye Teachers Forum,– Christy Corbett, Tom Jacobs, Portland, OR, 5-day workshop; painting with light techniques, working deep, plate making

2004 – Intermediate Kiln Forming,– Brad Walker, Clemmons, NC, 2 day workshop: combing, kiln carving, metal inclusions, powder wafers

2004 – Flamework & Fusion,– Terry Ow-Wing, San Francisco, CA, Instructor

2003 – PMC Level I & II Certification,– Sherry Fotopoulos, San Antonio, TX, Instructor

2003 – Beginning Flameworking,– Molley Heynis, New Braunfels, TX, Instructor

2002 – Beginning Glass Fusing,– Sherry Fotopoulos, San Antonio, TX, Instructor

1987 – Bachelor of Fine Arts, Long Island University/C.W. Post, Greenvale, NY

Exhibitions & Gallery Representation
2010 – Gallery Artist, Akimbo Gallery, Lahaina, Hawaii

2010 – Gallery Artist, Gallery Fuego, San Antonio, Texas

2009 – Ignition Gallery Fuego, San Antonio, Texas

2008 – Texas Craft Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, Texas

2008 – San Antonio Visual Artists Invitational Rotating Show, San Antonio, Texas

2007 – “Texas Juried Glass 2”, Galveston Arts Center, Galveston , TX

2007 – Wholesale Crafts.com, Juried online representration to the trade only

2006 – "Inspiration and Aspiration”, Wired Designs Gallery, San Antonio, TX

2005 – “Form and Function”, Wired Designs Gallery, San Antonio, TX

2004 – “Texas Artisan”, Gallery 1550, Kerrville, TX

2004 – “Glass Jewels”, Glassworks Gallery, San Antonio, TX

Commissions
2010 – Bexar County Courthouse, San Antonio, TX - sconces and pendant lighting inserts into circa 1900s fixtures

2010 – Broadway Building, Koontz McCombs w/RVK Architects, San Antonio, TX - glass signage

2009 – Lackland Air Force Base Chapel, San Antonio, TX – Ner Tamid Sculpture

2009 – Jason Dady Restaurant Group, Bin 555 location, San Antonio, TX – Wall Sculpture for Bar Areas

2008 – Weston Centre Building, San Antonio, TX - sconces (w/Garcia Art Glass), 24” square, 9mm thick, backlit

2008 – Zucker Residence, San Antonio, TX - Contemporary Art Scape, Fused Glass Painting, 24” x 38”

2007 to 2010 – Residential; Cohen, Guidry, Walker, Chase, etc. – Various Cast Glass Vessel Sinks and Accessories, Texas

2007 – Flores Residence, San Antonio, TX - Cast Glass Bar Counter 9’ x 18” x 1”

2007 – Express Information Systems, Microsoft Partner, San Antonio, TX - Interior Signage

2006 – Private Collection, Running Horse; 20 inch Domed Sconce

2004 to 2007– Wings Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, “Women of Courage Signature Award” Sculptures

2004 – Texas Cavaliers, Fiesta Events Committee, San Antonio, TX - Awards Platter

2004 –San Antonio Spurs Foundation, Art Ball Event, Sculpture “Nothing but Net”

Teaching Experience: 2002 - Present

Southwest School of Arts and Craft; Adjunct Instructor, 2007 - present 

Essentials I; Introduction to Glass Fusing, 1 day workshop
Essentials II; Functional Glassware and Plate Making, 2 day workshop
The Power of Powders; Imagery, Wafers, Intaglio Carving, Crackle, 3 evenings
Cast Glass Sinks; Sinks, fountains, and other large vessels, 5 day workshop
Hot Stuff I; Pot & Wire Melts, Pattern Bars, Vitrograph, 2 day workshop
Hot Stuff II; High Fire, Combing, Frit Casting, Cold Working, 2 day workshop
Dichroic Heaven; Glass Jewelry for Intermediate Fusers, 1 day workshop
Strip Construction; Design on Edge, various strip techniques, 2 day workshop

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft; Adjunct Instructor, 2009 – present

Frit Happens; Frit Forms, Frit Casting and Powder Wafers, 2 day workshop
Get A Reaction; Color reactions for design enhancement, 2 day workshop

Pittsburgh Glass Center; Summer Intensives Instructor – 2008, 2009

The Glass Basket; Weaving using rod, sheet glass, stringer, 5 day workshop
Hot, Warm and Cold; Hot Shop, Kiln & Cold Work with Johnathon Schmuck

Firebird Studios, Scottsdale, AZ; Visiting Instructor – Jan 2008

The Glass Basket; Weaving using rod, sheet glass, stringer, 2 day workshop

Glass Craft Expo,Las Vegas, NV; Instructor – 2008, 2009, 2010

Hot Stuff I; Pot & Wire Melts, Pattern Bars, Vitrograph, 2 day workshop
Frit Happens; Frit Forms, Frit Casting and Powder Wafers, 2 day workshop
Get A Reaction; Color reactions for design enhancement, 2 day workshop
Electroforming on Glass; Processes and Techniques of Electroforming

Wired Designs Studios, San Antonio, TX; Education Director, 2002 – present
NEISD; Adult Education Annex, 2002 - present

Essentials I; Introduction to Glass Fusing, 1 day workshop
Essentials II; Functional Glassware and Plate Making, 2 day workshop
The Power of Powders; Imagery, Wafers, Carving, Crackle, 3 day workshop
Cast Glass Sinks; Sinks, fountains, and other large vessels, 5 day workshop
Hot Stuff I; Pot & Wire Melts, Pattern Bars, Vitrograph, 2 day workshop
Hot Stuff II; High Fire, Combing, Casting, Cold Working, 2 day workshop
Dichroic Heaven; Glass Jewelry for Intermediate Fusers, 1 day workshop
Kiln Academy; Studio Equipment, Kiln Education Training & Maintenance
Get A Reaction; Color Chemistry and reactions for design, 2 day workshop
The Glass Basket; Weaving using rod, sheet glass, stringer, 2 day workshop
Electroforming on Glass; Processes and Techniques of Electroforming
Strip Construction; Design on Edge, strip techniques, 2 day workshop

Intermediate Seminar I & II; Each seminar is 8 weeks long, and concentrated on working with intermediate students to develop a body of work culminating in a collection for a show. Seminar one concentrates on new techniques and skills I functional glassware. Seminar II concentrates on architectural work for residential and commercial applications.

Various Metalsmithing Workshops; Introduction to Precious Metal Clay, Metal Clay and Glass, Bronze Clay, Basic Torch Soldering and Setting, Mixed Metals and Glass Jewelry Construction and Design.

Bibliography
April 2010 – Welcome Home, Ignite Your Creative Genius at Wired Designs Studios, April issue, page 15

December 2009 – San Antonio Express News, Daily News Paper, December 1, SA Life Section page 1, Article; Unique Treats – SA Artisans offer distinctive gift ideas

July 2009 – The Joy of Coldworking; Johnathon Schmuck, Four Corners International; publisher, (pages 48,131, 154) ISBN 978-0-9700933-0-1, Various photographs of studio & work, in progress.

September 2007 – The Flow, Flamework Journal, Fall 2007, Women in Glass, Functional Glassware Category Profiling women who produce functional glassware. (page 67)

August 2007 & September 2004 – WOAI News 4, San Antonio Living Show, Host Shelly Miles, 6 minute segment on Wired Designs Studio

June 2007 – Best of America Glass Artists and Artisans Vol.1, (Page 72), Juried book competition highlighting chosen glass artists from the United States.

July 2006 – News 9, Talk of The Town, 8 minute segment on Wired Designs Studios, Host: Leslie Comet

June 2006 – Warm Glass Conference, Arrowmont School for Arts & Craft, Program Presenter, “Building Your Own Glass Business.”

February 2006 to May 2008 – President, San Antonio Art Glass Guild, a professional non-profit organization to support the glass arts in San Antonio. Approx. 85 members.

August 2003 to Present – Owner/Principal Artist, Wired Designs, Inc.; Glass Art Gallery, Design Showroom, Teaching Studio, and Wholesale Glass Supply Store and E-Commerce Website.

2002 to 2003 – Studio Artist, Private Workshops

1987 to 2001 – Corporate Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing and Management

Organizations
San Antonio Glass Art Guild, President 2007 – 2008, Founding President 2006 – 2007, Treasurer 2009, 2010
San Antonio Glass Art Guild, President 2007 – 2008, Founding President 2006 – 2007, Treasurer 2009, 2010
International Guild of Glass Artists (IGGA) – Member, Glass Art Society (GAS) – Member
International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) – Member
Society of Lampwork Artists San Antonio (SALSA) – Member
American Craft Council (ACC) – Member, Precious Metal Clay Guild – Member
Metal Clay Artists of San Antonio ( MCASA) – Member

Personal Factotum
My journey to this point has been unconventional and full of contradictions. I am a non conformist who hates comparative measurement, but I graduated from college on the deans list. I am a creative entrepreneur who spent eighteen years in the structured corporate world. I am a relaxed free-spirit, who surrounds myself with “type A” logic junkies. I am a Darwinist struggling to explain god's plan to my special needs son. These contradictions and conflicts of emotion inspire my artwork, and my passion to educate others about art, and what it can do for your soul. I am the owner of Wired Designs Studios, Inc. a glass and fine metals studio, employing seven artists. Located just 15 minutes north of the San Antonio Riverwalk in the Historic Shops at Artisan’s Alley, Wired Designs Studios combines the best in handcrafted art glass, uncommon jewelry, fine metal, and more. Visitors can view artists creating one-of-a-kind-treasures in our 2 large, open studio-classrooms. Or they can shop for unexpected treasures in our “Gallery Fuego” section, featuring one-of-a-kind art works in all price ranges. Artists and hobbyists alike can stock up on supplies in our full service wholesale supply area. Year round we offer a published schedule of over 50 different workshops for all levels in HOT (flame working & casting), WARM (kiln forming & fusing), and COLD glass (copper foil, carving & etching), plus Jewelry Design & Construction including; Metalsmithing, Metal Clay, Wire Design, and More! Both visitors to San Antonio and local residents agree! Whether you are attending a workshop, shopping for gifts, or just picking up needed tools and supplies, a visit to Wired Designs Studios is a warm, welcoming, and refreshing step out of the ordinary.

www.gailstouffer.com