Geoffrey Beetem - Studio Art Glass

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Geoffrey Beetem is regarded by many in the contemporary handmade marble field as the master glass artist in the use of dichroic glass. Beetem is an artist who continues to explore the rich colors and uniquely personal designs that have become hallmarks for the studio glass artist.

Beetem’s fascination with glass began in 1980 when he served as an apprentice to a stained glass artist. It was through this early exposure to the important technical aspects of glass and color theory that Beetem enrolled in a hot glass course at Ohio University.

Studying under the direction of Jane Bruce, whose Bauhaus style Beetem came to learn well, he was offered work at the famed Pilchuk Glass School in Washington State. There his responsibilities as hot shop technician enabled him to learn the process of furnace building. As Beetem says, “I was placed in the mix at Pilchuk, the hottest hot shop in the country. With so many glass world luminaries passing through, my glass skills were developed and my eyes were open wide.”

Working with such noted artists as Billy Morris, Rich Royal, Lino Tagliapiertra, Dan Daily and Dante Marioni, Beetem set out on his own with a head full of ideas, and establish his own glass shop in 1987.

Beetem’s work reflects the tremendous power contemporary studio glass can exert on an artist. In addition to his sculptural Saturno, nesting bowl and Column Nest pieces, he took the suggestion of friend, Rodney Lyndon, to craft glass marbles as well.

Beetem’s well known Stardust Marbles concept originated from his concept of cosmic debris trailing a comet as it flies at thousands of miles an hour through space. The resulting dust is referred to as stardust. He says, “The dichroic glass created the effect of a frozen crystalline object. In the stardust V-lobe, the design is spiraling through the center core, much like that of an endless staircase”. As Beetem states, “My marbles are formulated with dichroic glass and bands of cain to create a strange color theory.”

The Beetem World Marble is a wonderful example of contemporary studio art glass that transcends the field of collectable marbles to collectable contemporary art glass. “With the Worlds, I decided to come back from space and reflect on our home planet. It seemed to me that with the Earth’s ecosystem in such trouble, a realistic image of our planet that everyone could hold in their hands might have some impact.”

Through years of development, beginning with a scientific map of continents, Beetem’s graphics were developed and adjusted on computer, thus marrying the worlds of marbles and technology. The culmination is one of the most unique contemporary marbles being crafted in a limited basis today - so unique that it was presented by one race to another on an episode of the TV series Star Trek Voyager.

The creativity and inspiration for advance does not cease with the World marble. Beetem is excited to be completing preliminary work on his newest designs including the Vail V-lobe and a companion to the World: the Moon Marble.

There is no question that the works of Geoffrey Beetem continue to expand the boundaries of sculptural glasswork. The artistry of Geoffrey Beetem is a true testament to the creative process, imaginative artistry and technological advancements. He is ranked as one of the premier glass craftsmen working today.

Each Beetem marble has the ability to advance your collection by offering you hands-on insight into color theory, technical skill and personal interest this artist employs in each hand-crafted piece.

His work, exhibited in galleries throughout the world and many of the finest permanent collections and museum displays, will long be sought after by collectors acquiring the finest contemporary handmade glass marbles of the studio glass movement.