Chiontea Thomas
Better Together Resident
I am Chiontea Thomas, a 23-year-old Glassblowing teacher and production member for Firebird Community Arts. Firebird Community Arts is based on the West side of Chicago but I grew up and reside on the south side of Chicago. Glassblowing is so much more than just an art to me. Manipulating hot glass brings me comfort and allows me to have a one on one therapy session with myself while others are working with me. Taking a risk in 2018 allowed me to challenge myself for years to keep improving my sculpting skills and gave me the ability to create anything that comes to my adventurous mind. In my most recent endeavors creating childhood characters has inspired me to dig a little deeper in improving the texture in my pieces. Working with many artist that I’ve watched for years, becoming a teacher and traveling to places that I didn’t think I’ll be in so soon are some of my biggest achievements. Glassblowing has affected my life and expanded my world in ways I never knew possible. The best is yet to come but I am thankful for finding something I can truly and wholeheartedly devote myself to.
