Shannon Spruiell

Introduction

Hi, I'm Shannon Spruiell. My glassblowing journey began in 2015 while I was in college in Junction, Texas. I was studying painting and stumbled upon a glassblowing class. I had no idea what to expect, but from the first day, I was hooked! I kept taking classes and graduated in 2016. Through a colleague, I met Carlyn Ray, who owns a glass studio in Dallas, Texas, and got my first part-time glassblowing job there. Eventually, I decided to go full-time with glass and moved to Seattle, WA. Nowadays, I spend over 40 hours a week blowing glass, often alongside my partner in life and art, Nick Clawson. When I'm not in the hot shop, I love cooking, writing, walking my Pitbull - Duncan, and Jam Skating – which is basically dancing on wheels.

Career

I've been a Seattle-based glass artist since 2018. I got my B.F.A. in Fine and Studio Arts with a minor in psychology from Texas Tech University in 2015. My focus now is engaging with the community and helping individuals dealing with trauma and PTSD. I worked as a glass artist and later as a studio manager at Glass Eye Studio from 2018 to 2022. After some time in the intense production world, I decided to branch out and become a freelance artist, using the skills and experience I gained.

Today, I teach veterans at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA, as part of the Hot Shop Heroes program. It's incredibly rewarding to see how glassblowing helps them find healing and healthy coping strategies through creativity. I also work as a glass demonstrator and public speaker at Chihuly Garden and Glass, where I share the beauty of glassblowing with guests from all walks of life. I love inspiring people to explore their creativity.

Mission

Connecting with the community is at the heart of what I do. I regularly work with individuals suffering from PTSD and trauma, helping them find freedom, peace, and trust through creative collaboration. For me, creating glass art is more than just self-expression – it's a path to healing, connection, learning, and growth. My long-term mission is to advocate for those traumatized, supporting them in ways the justice system often fails to do. Through my art and teaching, I strive to make a positive impact and help others discover the transformative power of creativity.