Eric Bladhome
Chicago Glassworks is a state of the art glass blowing facility and artist's studio custom built into a former iron foundry. Centrally located on Chicago's near southside, Chicago Glassworks is only minutes from downtown, but be sure to call first, as visits and tours must be arranged by appointment.
Glass artist, sculptor and photographer Eric Bladholm got his start in glass and art early. At age 11, his older sister Sharon taught him how to make stained and leaded glass, which he pursued until his first year of college, where Eric discovered the art of glass blowing. After completing his BFA in fine art and glass at California College of Arts and Crafts, and a season in Europe working with several renown glass masters, Eric returned to Chicago to meet the challenges of building a studio of his own. Several years of working in the construction trades and a partnership with his sister's studio evolved into the formation of Chicago Glassworks over 20 years ago.
The glass created at Chicago Glassworks is all made by the artist himself. The colors and textures of nature are the departure point for many of Eric'sinovative explorations with hand blown glass. Summers in Door County, Wisconsin as a child, and extensive travels in Europe have influenced his work in functional objects, sculpture and photography. Eric also produces custom lighting products for many national and international designers and lighting firms.
