Joe Peters

Biography

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Peters was active in the local art scene at a young age. While attending Holyoke Community College, Peters began glassblowing and later studied flameworking at Snow Farm, a craft school based in Williamsburg, MA. Peters later became established as a flameworking teacher, teaching at Snow Farm, Corning Glass Museum, and the Penland Art School.

Influences

Peters attributes the greatest influence on his work to be from glass artists Robert Michelson and Vittorio Costantini, while he is most impressed by contemporary artists Buck and Banjo. Peters also draws on instruction from glass artists such as Robert Burch, Sally Prasch, Milon Townsend, Robert Mickelsen, and Emilio Santini.

Works

Peters began selling glass pendants and beads at local craft shows, Peters later expanded his work to include sculpture for sale at galleries.

Collaborations

In 2005, Joe Peters and Peter Muller met at Snowfarm. Furnace and Flame, a collaboration between the two artists, began in 2008. Their collaborative works have received several awards.

Functional work

In 2012, encouraged by growing international demand from private collectors and galleries, Peters created work that was increasingly inclusive of functional glass components. In order to be closer to the glass community and to do more collaborative work, Peters relocated to Evergreen, CO., where he joined the Everdream Studio with other flameworkers, N8, Adam G, WJC, Elbo, and Eusheen. On his own and through collaborative engagements, Peters continues to create pieces for glass enthusiasts worldwide. His functional glass works were featured in his show at GooseFire Gallery in Los Angeles, CA in 2013. Peters has created an aquarium that is on display at the Boston Children's Hospital as of 2012.