Philabaum Glass Gallery, Arizona’s only all-glass fine art gallery, will be hosting its new “Tucson Views” exhibition on Saturday, Nov. 15.
The exhibition, with an artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m., will celebrate the 50th anniversary of glassblowing in Tucson and the 25th anniversary of Sonoran Glass School, Arizona’s only nonprofit glass studio. The show will feature new pieces from teachers and educators at the school, who are sculptors and artists themselves, as well as other works in the gallery.
“We’re going to be highlighting those instructors who continue to teach glass, but also make their own gorgeous pieces that are shown at galleries across the U.S.,” said Alison Harvey, owner of Philabaum Glass Gallery.
Located downtown in a remodeled Tastee Freez restaurant for 40 years, the gallery moved to its new location on Feb. 1. The new space — bright, airy, and colorful, and situated in a neighborhood boasting a number of other art galleries — is located at the corner of Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue.
During the “Tucson Views” reception, attendees will be able to enjoy the opening discussion and a relaxed atmosphere of cheese, wine and art.
According to Harvey, many of the pieces in the gallery are blown glass and hot sculpted glass, made by moving molten glass heated to more than 2,000 degrees on the end of a five-foot long metal pipe, expertly wielding and bending the glass until the final result is reached.
Other pieces are made in different ways, such as layering cool pieces of glass in a kiln and heating it up.
Harvey said the art is a precise one, and the artist needs to be careful and deliberate — not just to avoid burns, but because it has to be completed while the glass is still hot.
“Glass blowing is really beautiful,” Harvey said. “When you watch glass artists work, it’s all very intentional. There’s a choreography that happens in the studio, and it’s all very controlled, often because you are working with such hot materials.
“There’s no stopping and starting with glass — it’s all done at one time.”
The gallery has a big collection, featuring pieces from 30 Arizona artists and 45 artists from elsewhere across the U.S. Work ranges from intricate sculptures to fine jewelry to expertly crafted glasses and kitchenware.
Among the artists displaying their work for “Tucson Views” are Erika Parkin, Jason Marstall and Paul Anders-Stout. As veterans of the craft who have been working for decades, they each feature unique takes on the artform.
Parkin blows desert- and canyon-inspired vessels; Marstall makes grand blown bowls and sophisticated, subtle figures; and Anders-Stout crafts blown glass that incorporates desert material — aloe, creosote, saguaro ribs and more — into organic glass bowls and vases. Anders-Stout is now running the glassblowing studio at Sonoran Glass School.
The Philabaum Glass Gallery was founded by Tom Philabaum, pioneer of glassblowing in Arizona who built the local scene from the ground up. After glassblowing for decades, Philabaum retired in 2018 after a Parkinson’s diagnosis, and retired from painting in 2024. While most of Philabaum’s art has sold over the years, his remaining sculptures and art continue to sit proudly on display among the other beautiful works at the gallery.
Harvey, longtime gallery manager, took over Philabaum Glass Gallery in October 2020. Over the last five years, she has more than doubled the number of artists featured at the gallery, and she’s always elated to be able to share information about the art to visitors.
According to Harvey, the gallery and Sonoran Art School have helped to boost the prestige of Tucson as a hub of glass making talent, where nationally recognized artists come to teach and show their glass art.
“We do just have an incredible variety of nationally renowned artists. Some of these artists show at the finest museums and galleries all over the U.S.,” she said.
“Tucson Views” Opening Reception
WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15
WHERE: Philabaum Glass Gallery, 2840 E. Skyline Drive, Suite 100, Tucson
INFO: 520-884-7404, philabaumglass.com
This article appears in Aug 28 – Sep 4, 2025.