About Us
McFadden Art Glass is a Baltimore gem. Located just off I-95 in East Baltimore, it is easily accessible. McFadden Art Glass is a custom glassblowing studio and art school focused on different approaches to glass making. We offer one-time workshops for ages five and up and extended courses for ages 11 years and older. Whether you are looking for a unique Date Night, planning a school field trip, or celebrating a birthday, McFadden Art Glass is the place to be. We strive to give a fun, educational and one of a kind experience to every participant.
Our History
McFadden Art Glass opened its doors in 2006, with a staff of one, Tim McFadden. Tim’s hard work and perseverance has grown his small business to what it is today. McFadden Art Glass expanded in 2016 by building a new adjoining studio allowing for more production work to be made and larger groups can now access the space for interactive events. This is a must-see destination for those visiting Baltimore and a place for people around the world seeking hand-made custom glasswork.
Our Vision
Tim’s expertise and precision are shown in his beautiful work. Not only is McFadden Art Glass an art school to learn about glassmaking techniques, but it is an accommodating studio to purchase custom made glasswork as well. We work with clients step by step in helping their ideas come to life. We have a broad approach to glassmaking allowing us to turn your vision into reality. Whether it’s a lighting fixture or a fire breathing dragon, we can create it for you.
Tim McFadden, Owner
A Baltimore native, Tim McFadden, found his love for blowing glass in 2001 while attending Salisbury University on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He was introduced to glassblowing by his older brother, Marty, who found the glassblowing courses offered at Salisbury University. His interest in this medium grew quickly. In the Spring of 2005, he won first place and $5,000 through Salisbury University’s Annual Bernstein Business Plan Competition to open a glassblowing studio and qualified for the Fortune Small Business Magazine Student Showdown Competition. Tim McFadden’s business plan gave him a head start to put his plans into immediate action after graduation from Salisbury.
By the fall of 2006, he had retrofit a custom glassblowing studio and gallery in an existing property in Southeast Baltimore, Maryland on Eastern Avenue. Tim McFadden began teaching local glassblowing courses privately, through Towson University, and the Community College of Baltimore County, while refining his craftsmanship at the same time. Tim’s work is strongly founded on Italian techniques that he has studied and developed at some of the most reputable glass schools in the country, most notably the Corning Museum of Glass and Pilchuck Glass School. His work is sold internationally and has been exhibited in some of the top galleries and museums, most recently the Walter’s Art Museum here in Baltimore.
In 2011, Tim co-founded a new company with Aric Wanveer called Zero Gravity Creations. From which has spawned Tapologie and Magma Build Studios, which is our new workspace/showroom in Port Covington opening this summer. With Aric’s background in metalworking, these companies bridge the gap between metal and glass to make work that transcends the limitation of each material individually. You can visit those websites as well to see what groundbreaking work we are creating using our patented technology.
Currently, Tim McFadden has created a local hot spot for the Baltimore and surrounding communities. Local glassblowing events have been sure to draw a crowd and build a lively, creative atmosphere for glassblowers and onlookers alike.
Today, you can find Tim in his glassblowing gallery with his wife, Rose and their three young children. McFadden Art Glass truly is a family affair. In fact, if you attend one of their regular public events you will find Mom, Meg, in the Gallery selling glass and Dad, Joe, assisting in the studio and invariably one of Tim’s three other siblings or extended family there to support his success!
About Our Team
Rosemary McFadden
Rosemary found glass when she found love. Wife of owner Tim McFadden, Rosemary had to quickly learn the ins and outs of helping to run a glassblowing studio. Today you will talk to Rosemary through correspondence or meet her at a glassblowing workshop in the studio.
Benjamin Smith
Benjamin studied the applied arts of machining and high-performance metal manufacturing in high school. Ben’s fascination of making things by hand lead him to glassblowing. He took a beginner glassblowing class at McFadden Art Glass while in high school. He pursued this passion and went on to earn a BFA in glassblowing from Salisbury University. He then worked as an assistant at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Ben traveled around the country working for a number of private and public glass studios. With his broad skillset, Ben is a true asset to the McFadden Team. He is an enthusiastic and talented instructor, along with confident and comfortable glassblower/flameworker.
Logan Brooks
Logan started blowing glass in 2005 while attending The Baltimore School for The Arts. He continued to study and work with this organic medium at The Cleveland Institute of Art where he received his BFA in 2011. Since school Logan has continued to work full time as a glass artist. He has been fortunate enough to study under and work with a number of master artists from around the world; while working for a variety of studios across the US.
Barb Victor
Barb has been an employee at McFadden Art Glass since 2009 when she retired from teaching. She first started in glassblowing by taking a four-week beginner session at McFadden Art Glass. She then began to assist Tim McFadden in the hot shop and acquire more skills in glassblowing. She fell in love with glass and the challenges surrounding it. Barb has accumulated many shop time hours which is represented in her skill set and knowledge base. She is an experienced and proficient instructor in the glass studio.
Dave Zimmerman
Dave became enamored with glass as a young kid after seeing a glassblowing documentary. He took his first beginner glassblowing class at Art of Fire in 2004. He then became an apprentice at Art of Fire and worked at that studio for nine years. In 2013, Dave started working at another studio in Baltimore before coming on board with McFadden Art Glass in 2015. You can see Dave’s passion for glass when he’s working and teaching in the hot shop. His kind nature, skillfulness, and strong work ethics are represented in his work at the studio.