Michael Hermann is an American glassblower who has studied extensively both within the US and abroad. He began his career as an apprentice at The Art of Fire Contemporary Glass Blowing Studio in Maryland.  During his 4 years of study there, he took his talents to Red Deer, Canada, and The Studio at Corning Museum of Glass in New York.  Inspired by Italian masterpieces, Hermann sought out master glassblowers from Italy to continue his study of the craft beginning with Elio Quarisa and later apprenticed under Gianni Toso.  Most recently, he spent time in Venice, Italy learning from Davide Fuin, absorbing age-old techniques long kept secret by Muranese culture.  Michael has since worked as the Studio Manager and Artist in Residence of a successful art studio in San Diego and spent four years in The Netherlands where he was working for the National Glass Museum. Upon relocating back to the United States, Michael began working as the Hot Shop Manager for the local Dallas glass studio, Carlyn Ray Designs. In addition to designing and producing his own work, Hermann still enjoys taking time out to teach classes and individual students. His work has been featured in such magazines as American Style and Niche from whom he was presented the 2008 Niche Award.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Jan 2024 – present

Head of Glass Production, Carlyn Ray Designs, Dallas, TX

2020 – 2024

Hot Shop / Cold Shop Manager, Carlyn Ray Designs Dallas, TX

May 2022

Teaching Assistant to Davide Fuin, Demonstration at The Glass Spot, Norfolk, VA

May 2022

First Assistant to Davide Fuin, Demonstration at Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA

2018 – 2020

Public Glass Demonstration/ Glass Lab, Nationaal Glasmuseum Leerdam, Netherlands

2006 – 2017

Artist in Residence/Full time studio technician, Nottingham Center for the Arts, San Marcos, CA

2004 – 2006

Partial Apprenticeship, Gianni Toso Master Glassblower Baltimore, MD

July 2006

Teaching Assistant to Gianni Toso, Pittsburgh Glass Center Pittsburgh, PA

May 2004

Assistant to Gianni Toso, Exhibit: Beyond Venice, Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY

April 2005

Assistant to Gianni Toso, Smithsonian Institute Glass Collector’s Tour of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

2001 – 2005

Full Time Production Gaffer/Studio Technician, Art of Fire Laytonsville, MD

EDUCATION

2000 – 2004

Art of Fire, Laytonsville, MD

June 2001

Ed Schmid | Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

July 2002

Brian Chorr | Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY

March 2006

James Mongrain | Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh, PA

July 2012

Davide Fuin | James Mongrain Studio, Mukilteo, Washington

July 2016

Davide Fuin | Murano, Venice Italy

AWARDS

2008

First Place | Niche Award National Juried Competition Philadelphia, PA