Colorful Traditions: Glass Bead Making in the Arkansas Ozarks *

Tom and Sage Holland are considered two of the pioneers of the contemporary glass bead making movement, and their conversation traces the practice of flameworked glass in community from its modern revival through the off-grid life they have built in Arkansas.

Patricia “Sage” Holland began her path in the art of flameworking glass in 1987 while living in the Pacific Northwest of Washington State. Tom received his BFA in Ceramics with an emphasis on Sculpture at Northwest Missouri State University in 1977, and in the early 1980s worked as a potter, blacksmith, and stone mason.

The duo lives off-grid in the Meadowcreek Valley of Fox, Arkansas, where they continue to teach, make, and connect with the community of bead makers they helped build.

ASL interpretation will be provided for this event.