Tom Rupnicki, ceramic and glass artist
To me, clay contains the very essence of life. When working with clay, I am exploring the human condition—how people evolve and adapt to changes over time, and the intrinsic relationships between matter, energy, and meaning.
Tom went back to art school at the age of 35. While studying photography as an art form he stumbled onto clay and saw the light.
Education
- Wilmington College, Wilmington De. AA Accounting 1966
- B.F.A. Columbia College, Chicago, Illinois 1985
- Workshops at Lill Street ceramic center in Chicago
- Workshops in Peter’s Valley with Jack Troy, John Chalke, and Bill Shillalies
- Workshop at Omega Institute with Paulus Berenhson 1990
- Studied Ceramics at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Lizbeth Stuart and Bill Daley
- Studied Glass at Tyler school of the Arts Elkins Park, Pa., Jon Clarke
- Watershed center for the ceramic arts, Newcastle, Me. 2 week residency
- 5 workshops at The Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass 1996,1997,1999,2002,2003
- Designed and built a glass hotshop, including a 6 ton glass furnace, two glory holes, 3 annealers 5-pot color furnace, and complete cold shop in Media, Pa. 2002
- Ceramic workshop with Dan Molyneux at Peters Valley 2015
Featured Galleries
Tom’s work has been featured in galleries throughout the United States, including: Some of this work can be seen at tomrupnicki.com
- American Craftsman, New York City
- Vetri Gallery, Kauai, Hawaii
- Vetri Gallery, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Artique, Lexington Kentucky
- A gallery of Fine Art, Palm Desert, California
- SJG,Inc. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Kane-Marie, Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Seekers Glass Gallery Cambria, Ca.
- Gallery Vetro, San Antonio, Texas
- Accent Gallery, Ocean City, New Jersey
- Gingerbread Gallery, Key West, Florida
- Philadelphia Flower show 1993 & 1999
Tom was born in Chester, Pa. He lived in Chicago for 20 years and currently lives in Media, Pa.