Douglas I. Frates
Doug Frates was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and after graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Doug served our country in Iraq in 2003. When he returned to the U.S. and after completing his enlistment, Doug settled in Tucson, Arizona, and attended college. A glassblowing class put him on a firm course to his career as he became captivated with the artistry and creativity of working with glass. Doug became determined to make glass the focus of his career. He has been blowing glass since 2004 and has worked professionally since 2006. Doug worked for Tom Philabaum on his production team and with Fritz Dreisbach in the past. Doug moved to Columbus, Ohio, to continue his blossoming career. He feels fortunate to say he has become a recognized artist who has shown internationally.
Artist Statement
I get my ideas from life, things I see, things I imagine, and things I feel. I like to be open to new ideas and am challenged by creativity. I want my audience and customers to feel the creativity I put into my work. It is also important to me to be able to visualize what others want in a piece of glass for that special location in their collections.
I strive to innovate with my glass. I believe that through this innovation I reach a certain level of creativity and skill that is unstoppable. I am dedicated to expressing myself through the singular elegance of art glass, and chasing this goal is the passion that keeps me happy. I believe my art contains some of this innovation, creativity and passion. I love what I do and am happy I can share it with others
Education
2003 Semester at Sonoran Glass Art Academy
2003 Semester at Sonoran Glass Art Academy
2004 Semester at Sonoran Glass Art Academy
2004 Photography, Metal Casting, Pottery, Glass Blowing
2005 Drawing, Pottery, Metal Casting, Pottery, Glass Blowing
2006 Semester at Sonoran Glass Art Institute day and night classes with fiber and sculpture classes
2006 Alfred University, Alfred, NY, Glass Classes and Intensives
2007 Philabaum Glass; full time employee on Hot Shop Team; Sonoran Glass Art Institute part time Staff Instructor
2008 Philabaum Glass; full time employee on Hot Shop Team; Sonoran Glass Art Institute part time Staff Instructor
2009-2010 Custom work on made-to-order projects internationally to grow brand; passing along the culture of glass to new students
Professional Experience
2011 Doug Frates Glass moves to downtown Springfield, Ohio
2004 Pima Community College, Tucson AZ, Student Art Exhibition; Gallery set up
2004 Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ, Student Private Showing
2005 Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, AZ; Internship and show set up
2006 Sonoran Glass Art Institute, Tucson AZ; Part time Staff Instructor
2007 Philabaum Glass, Tucson AZ; full time Glass Blower
2008 Sonoran Glass Art Institute, Tucson AZ; full time Glass Blower and part time Staff Instructor
2008 Moved to Columbus, OH to continue glass blowing on a professional level
2009 Private Showings at Marcia Evans Gallery, Short North Columbus, OH, and Hayley Gallery, New Albany, OH; also continued international glassblowing efforts in other galleries around the world
2010 Corporate commission work focusing on small projects. Executed two larger projects; one for the Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, and another private account who chooses not to be identified
