“I love to work with my hands. I started working with glass as a teenager and have been at it ever since. Glass is a material that can be both transparent and opaque. I find this intriguing and aim to use these distinct properties when creating work.  I have always been intrigued by science; this is where I pull my interest and inspiration. Natural forms, biology, and botany, from cellular forms to shapes and proportions of people; all these things inspire what I make. I focus on creating unique objects that are abstract, modern interpretations of natural forms.”

Through 25 years of working in glassblowing, Benjamin Cobb has honed his mastery of glass, traveled across the globe, and worked with hundreds of artists. An east-coast transplant, Cobb holds a BFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and has been a demonstrating artist at glass studios as far afield as Sweden, the Czech Republic, Italy, and France. He’s taught at Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School, and many other glass programs in the US. He’s a recognizable leader and voice in the glass community, and has contributed to the success of countless works of art.

In his own work, Cobb draws inspiration from the natural world, as well as scientific process. His work has been exhibited at Museum of Glass and the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, WA, and dozens of galleries across the country.

EDUCATION 

2001 BFA in Glass and Glass Sculpture, Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Crafts, Rochester, NY -  Glass Forming and Sculpture with Robin Cass and Michael Taylor

WORK EXPERIENCE

2002- pres.     Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA, Lead Gaffer & Hot Shop Manager, public demonstrations,  

                        product design, and visiting artist support

2012               International Glass Symposium, Novy Bor, Czech Republic, demonstrating artist, artist support

                       The Glass Factory, Boda, Sweden, visiting artist
2008               Glass Art Society, Demonstration on Corning Mobile Hot Shop, Portland, OR
2006               Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA, Gaffer for artist in residence Trimpin
2003               Glass Art Society, Demonstration on Corning mobile stage Seattle, WA
2002               Bacchus Glass, Gaffer and assistant to Frank Cavaz Sonoma, CA
                        California Glass Exchange, Assistant to Robin Cass, demonstrator
2001               Glass Art Society Demonstration, Assistant to Robin Cass, hot glass demonstration Corning, NY
1999               Blenko Glass Factory, Assistant for Hank Murta Adams, hot glass casting Milton, West Virginia 
1994               Thames Street Glass, Newport, RI 
1999               Gaffing position for production line; responsible for charging, light up and shut down of studio    
 

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2011                10”x10”x10”, a small works show, Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh, PA

2010                Fertile Ground, Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA

2009                Blue Room, Nadania Idriss Gallery, Berlin, Germany                  

2007                Pilchuck Glass Exhibition: Each Year the Fire Burns Brighter Seattle, WA
2006                Pilchuck Exhibit, History of the World Gallery, Camano Island, WA
                        SOFA New York, New York, NY
2003                Artists of My Era, Area, Bubba Mavis, Seattle, WA
2001                Glass Art Society Student Exhibition, second prize, Corning, NY
                        James Renwick Alliance Annual Gala and Auction, Second Prize
2000                Haystack TA Exhibition, Haystack Benefit Auction, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle, ME
                        Outdoor Light Exhibition, The Museum of Luminous Phenomena, Alfred, NY
1999                Permanent installations commission, Bausch and Lomb, Rochester, NY

 
AWARDS AND GRANTS

2002               The New Glass Review, number 23
2001               Niche Award Winner, Glass-Sculptural
2000               President, RIT Glass Club 

PUBLICATIONS

2009               Kids Design Glass, (exhibition catalog) Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA. Essayist.

2006               500 Glass Objects, By Maurine Littleton
2006               American Craft, portfolio section, Oct./Nov. 2006
                        25 Years of New Glass Review, Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
                        500 Glass Objects: A Celebration of Functional & Sculptural Glass, Lark Books