Rick Strini - Master of Luster Glass

About Rick Strini 
Celebrating 40 years as a master in glass blowing, nationally recognized Rick Strini was one of the first artists to revive the age-old tradition of Italian-European glass blowing, shaping brilliant glass into objects of rare and timeless beauty.  Revered as one of the best at his craft, Strini is one of a very few people in the world who has perfected the art of creating hand-made, shimmering Luster Glass. His distinctive, one-of-a-kind, pieces have graced the White House, are the treasured possessions of many celebrities, and have been exhibited in some of the most prestigious museums, including the De Young and Smithsonian.  Working from his private studios in Maui and Santa Cruz, Calif., he has delighted art lovers and collectors alike with his stunning custom-designed vases, bowls, glasses and stemware. 

 A product of the 1960’s revival of studio art glass, each of Strini’s works is individually made by his own hands.  There is nothing mechanical about it.  His brilliant artistry is limited only by the length of his arms.  Working with no assistants, every nuance in shape, design, color and luminescence is derived from the heart of artist Strini.

 He creates a unique hot glass color palette for each piece and personally signs each one as it is finished in a cooling furnace.  Strini is rare among glass artists in that he controls the process from beginning to end.  No molded glass here.

 Strini’s interest in glass began in the early 60’s with his first kiln in his parent’s backyard, and years later he is still awing the world with his unique and brilliant pieces of glass art.

Background
A.A. Degree, Art, San Jose City College 1968
B.A. Degree, Ceramics, San Jose State University 1970
M.A. Degree, Design, University of California, Berkeley 1971
Vice-President, Association of San Francisco Potters 1971
Juror, 25^th Annual San Francisco Art Festival 1971

Collections (partial list)
Philadelphia Art Museum
Smithsonian Art Museum
Corning Museum of Glass
Art Commission of San Francisco, CA
Rockwell Collection, Corning, NY
Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England
Museum fur Kunsthandwerk, Frankfurt, Germany
Lannon Foundation, Palm Springs, CA
Zellerback Collection, San Francisco, CA
Craig Foundation, Phoenix, AZ
Chryler Museum, NY

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