MEET the maker
A little Back Story…
Ryan hails from Sandusky, Ohio near the shores of Lake Erie where he and his sister Leah grew up with a love of the outdoors, sports, and all things creative. These loves were endlessly nurtured by their parents Jim and Kathy Thompson. Ryan’s passion for music began in the 5th grade when a group of friends with a band needed a drummer, since then Ryan’s love for music and percussion has remained a constant creative outlet.
After completing highschool Ryan attended BGSU to study Visual Communication Technology, a degree he found to be lacking the creative freedom and excitement he desired. In his third year at BGSU Ryan took an Intro to Glass Blowing course on the recommendation of a friend, and the trajectory of his life was altered forever.
For the next 3 years Ryan poured every ounce of his energy into learning to control this molten material. The example of excellence in this craft demonstrated by his peers and instructors set the bar of achievement high. Ryan focused on his fundamental skills in the form of vessel and goblet making, utilizing processes & techniques he found most exciting and inspirational.
After Graduation Ryan began working at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion as a studio artist and workshop instructor, as well as a production glassblower at many local glass shops in Toledo, Ohio, the birthplace of the Studio Glass Art movement. During his time in Toledo, Ryan was fortunate to work with many world-renowned glass artists, honing his skills and expanding his network of colleagues in this beautiful community-orientated profession.
In 2018, Ryan accepted a production glassblowing position at Greenfield Village (The Henry Ford Museum) in Dearborn, Michigan. This position allowed Ryan to continue to broaden his skill set and expand on his experience as a production glassmaker. In 2021, Ryan was promoted to shop lead and began coordinating the team’s production efforts, designing new product and maintaining the equipment that makes glass blowing possible.
As of May 1st 2024, Ryan relocated back to Toledo, Ohio as the new owner and operator of Gathered Glass, a public glass studio that offers hand made glass, glassblowing workshops, and public events in the heart of The Glass City. This opportunity is something Ryan has dreamt about for the last decade and is hard at work making the business his own. Ryan’s partner Kayla Kirk of Charmed Ceramics, is in the process of building a pottery studio on the second floor that will offer similar programming as well as hand crafted pottery for the home. If you’re in the area Ryan and Kayla would love to meet you, stop by 23 N. Huron St. in downtown Toledo and see what they are up to!