After more than 40 years in business, Philabaum Glass Studio is preparing to close its doors, marking the end of an era in Tucson's art community.

Since opening in 1985, the studio has showcased the work of its namesake, master glassblower Tom Philabaum.

Located near Barrio Viejo at 711 S. Sixth Ave., the studio is offering art lovers one last chance to own a piece of its history during its closing sale this weekend.

Philabaum was instrumental in shaping the Southwest’s contemporary glass art scene. Trained under renowned glass pioneer Harvey Littleton, Philabaum brought the art of glassblowing to the desert, creating a dynamic space where craftsmanship and creativity flourished.

His work, ranging from colorful vessels to intricate fused and painted glass pieces, has been exhibited nationwide and remains highly sought after by collectors.

After moving to Tucson in the 1970s, Tom Philabaum built a business from the ground up.

His daughter, Aubyn Philabaum, is proud of her father’s impact and the role he played in making glassblowing more accessible, pointing to the Netflix show “Blown Away.”

“They have these kids who see glassblowing and are like, ‘That's really awesome. I'm going to do that,’” she said. “That's all on the shoulders of people like my dad … who worked his tail off for his entire life to be able to feed a family just from glassblowing and was able to do so.”

But it wasn’t easy, Aubyn Philabaum said.

“It was a slog,” she said. “He ran a business, and he supported employees, and he was constantly trying to grow.”

That dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Tom Philabaum earned numerous accolades, including some of the highest honors in Arizona’s art scene.

“He won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tucson Museum of Art, and he won a Governor’s Award,” Aubyn Philabaum said.

The downtown studio has also served as an incubator for other artists, providing a platform for emerging and established glassmakers to showcase their work, including Seattle’s Dale Chihuly.

Over the years, the studio has hosted countless exhibitions, workshops, and live demonstrations, making it a vital part of Tucson’s artistic and cultural fabric.

The closing sale, which kicked off Thursday and will run until the final pieces are sold, features a wide selection of original glass art at significant discounts.

The sale includes Philabaum’s own work, along with pieces from other artists who have contributed to the gallery’s legacy. Items include unique glass sculptures, hand-blown vases, and mixed-media creations, each carrying the distinctive touch of its maker.

The studio is also selling one-of-a-kind drawings and prints of some of Tom Philabaum’s well-known paintings, as well as tools and equipment used in the studio.

While the closing marks the end of an era, Aubyn Philabaum said her father’s legacy will live on through his art and the artists he has inspired.

It will also continue at Philabaum’s Glass Gallery in the foothills, owned by longtime employee Alison Harvey.

Harvey purchased the gallery in 2018, a few years after Tom Philabaum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. While the foothills location does not include a working studio, it remains dedicated to showcasing exquisite glasswork from artists across the country, preserving the Philabaum name and its reputation for exceptional craftsmanship.

The transition marks not an end but an evolution that allows Tucson’s glass art community to continue thriving in a new space.

And even though the studio will no longer be a staple of the neighborhood, Aubyn Philabaum is quick to point out the its impact on the revitalized Barrio Viejo, which was named a "top place to go in 2024" by Condé Nast Traveler.

“You know, it's now such a thriving intersection. We have Five Points Market, we have the Forbes Meat Market, we have Ugly But Honest Pizza,” she said. “It would not be this thriving if it wasn't for Philabaum Glass Gallery.”

Samantha Callicutt is a Tucson Spotlight reporter and graduate student at the University of Arizona. Contact her at Scallicutt@arizona.edu.

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