Vitrix Hot Glass Studio

Welcome...Vitrix Hot Glass Studio

Founded in 1979 in Corning's historic Market Street District, Vitrix Hot Glass Studio is regarded among America's prominent contemporary glass studios. Glass artist, Thomas P. Kelly, owner of Vitrix; along with Robert Kelly, business manager; glassmaker, George Kennard and Jason Rose, are committed to uncompromising quality and craftsmanship. When Tom went to work for Bob Rockwell in 1982 he had no idea that glass would end up playing such a major role in his life. Mr. Rockwell is the world's leading collector of Carder-Steuben glass. Under the guidance of Mr. Rockwell, Tom had the opportunity to handle and examine the work of Frederich Carder. After working with Mr. Rockwell for three years, Tom's attention was down the street to the glass studios of Alex Brand and Thomas Buechner. After much persistence, he was offered part time employment at both studios where he had the opportunity to learn from two distinctly different artists, each having their own unique talents. Eventually, Tom found himself blowing glass full time with Thomas S. Buechner III at Vitrix Hot Glass Studio. At Vitrix, visiting artists such as Lino Tagliapietra and Fritz Dreisbach educated and influenced him. Over the next ten years, Tom's glass working skills and aesthetic sensitivity continued to develop. When Buechner made the decision to leave glass to grow in another direction, Tom was ready to take over ownership of Vitrix. The quality work that Vitrix is known for continue's under Tom's direction. Tom has been integrally involved in the production of works that have been published and exhibited internationally and can be found in fine stores and galleries across the US, Canada, Europe and Japan. Museum collections include the Corning Museum of Glass, Victoria and Albert Museum, Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe, High Museum of Art.