Biographies

Tom Sourlis

Born in 1947 in Gary, Indiana, Tom Sourlis has pursued a lifelong interest in arts and crafts through weaving, painting and flat glasswork.

He studied architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology for four years, quitting school to go into VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).

In 1974, he began making stained glass windows and lampshades which led to a 30 year fascination with glass lamps beginning with Tiffany style and moving into more contemporary, sculptural forms; all of his work being driven by his enduring, reverential connection to nature.

Working in concert at Uroboros Glass in Portland, Orgeon, with fellow glass luminary Eric Lovell, Tom has recently experimented with and created unique varieties of sheet glass.

He continues his experimentation and visionary search to discover new ways to produce beautiful glass objects.  

Twyla Butler has worked in glass for nearly 15 years, joining Sourlis Glass Studio in 2002.

She is experienced in the arts of copper foil, lead came, and fusing glass as well as in metalsmithing and lapidary work.

A resident of Hobart, Indiana, Twyla formerly worked for Wonderland Stained Glass in Gary and has taught stained glass classes in Career Development Programs for several major corporations.

Her work includes jewelry, stained glass, and one-of-a-kind mosaics.