Tom Philabaum built his first glassblowing studio in 1975 in downtown Tucson, and opened a gallery in 1982. The following rear, 1983, the Glass Arts Society (G.A.S.) conference took place in Tucson, with Tom as the liaison for the local glass community. In 1985, the present location became the new home of Philabaum Glass. In 1997 the G.A.S. conference returned to Tucson with Tom as Co-Chair, and Philabaum Studio & Gallery again being a major venue for demos and exhibitions.
Tom and his wife Dabney ran a second gallery location in the Tucson foothills from 2002-2007. Since that time, they have re-focused their efforts at the original home of Philabaum Glass in downtown Tucson. There, Dabney runs Philabaum Glass gallery, showing artists from across the country. Tom continues to spearhead the studio of blown glass, and the more current sculptural and site specific art, using a broad array of techniques, including kiln casting, fusing, slumping and dalla de verre.
