Addison Hanna

Artist Statement

I create delicately blown vessels, bowls, and drink ware driven by a passion for design and a continual pursuit of technical mastery. Alongside this functional work, I explore sculptural forms, striving for realism as both a demonstration of skill and a tribute to the remarkable diversity of life on Earth from microscopic organisms to the largest mammals.

My work also reflects an ongoing exploration of identity and self-reflection, shaped by the changing world around us and my enduring fascination with the possibilities of glass.

Artist Bio

The allure of glass first captivated me at the age of fifteen, sparking a passion that would ultimately shape my life and career. After graduating from high school, I pursued formal studies at Emporia State University, earning a BFA in Glass Forming. Since then, I have continued to develop my practice through years of studio work, apprenticeships, mentorships, and workshops with artists throughout the United States.

I have also been fortunate to spend significant time in the remote corners of the Pacific Northwest, particularly southeastern Alaska. My experiences in this far northern region have shaped my perspective both artistically and philosophically. The scale, isolation, and extraordinary diversity of these environments have influenced the way I understand both the natural world and my place within it, providing a lasting source of inspiration for my work.

After returning from Alaska, I settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where I continued to build my career within the glass community. I worked alongside and assisted other artists, taught glassmaking, and pursued my own artistic practice while experimenting with a wide range of techniques, including flameworking, glass fusing, and glassblowing. This period allowed me to explore a broad variety of forms and processes while developing a body of work that I exhibited and sold throughout the United States through galleries, juried art shows, and other exhibitions.

In recent years, I spent time in Columbus, Ohio, where I expanded my work as both an artist and educator. I taught sculpture at a local charter high school while continuing to work within the Columbus glass community. Balancing teaching with my studio practice reinforced my belief in the importance of making, experimentation, and sharing the creative process with others.

I currently reside in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., where I am establishing new roots within the region's vibrant arts community. As I build my studio and continue developing my practice, I look forward to creating new work, connecting with fellow artists, and becoming an active part of the artistic community in the area.

My current work explores form, texture, movement, and the intricate relationship between structure and delicacy inherent to glass. I have long been fascinated by the remarkable diversity of life around us, from microscopic organisms to the largest mammals, and this fascination continues to influence both my work and my worldview. Through glass, I seek to translate this fascination into objects that balance organic forms with careful craftsmanship, inviting viewers to look more closely at the complexity and beauty of the natural world.