HIGGINS GLASS STUDIO - Key Persons

Michael Higgins died in 1999, Frances Higgins in 2004. The Higgins Studio is now, as per the Higgins' wishes, under the ownership and direction of longtime design associates Louise and Jonathan Wimmer. The Wimmers, as well as other members of the Studio family, were trained in the Higgins technique of fused glass design by Michael and Frances, and now teach these same pioneering methods to new members of the Studio staff. Louise Wimmer, who joined the Studio in 1978, learned the intricacies of glass decoration from Fran, soon becoming an accomplished decorator in her own right. Jon first experienced the Studio as a child, joining his mother Louise there after school. His interest in working with glass soon attracted the attention of Michael, who became his mentor. Today, Jonathan's bowls, plates, mobiles, and other pieces, which build and expand on Michael's techniques, are avidly sought by collectors. As Jon notes, "we are really the only ones in the world that do this. There are a lot of people that fuse, but nobody else has the glass. We make our own. Everything is unique to the Higgins Studio. We want to keep what we do one-of-a-kind handcrafted art."