Hilltop Artists

Hey everyone! We've had an amazing summer with our glass programs, MoG residency, and community celebrations. But let’s not forget—helping our kids build brighter futures means connecting them to the right educational opportunities.

If college is part of your plan, filling out the FAFSA is a key step! The National Summer Learning Association offers some great resources to help students and parents through the process.

Take a look at the links for a list of NSLA resources—and don’t forget to share it with anyone you know who's gearing up for college!

🔗Video: What is FAFSA?—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmEP38x-1Z8

🔗Pro Tips for the 2024-2025 FAFSA Form—https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support/pro-tips

🔗Videos: FAFSA How-To's—https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtr3wy4M_CJ2Hrd0UwCAWJOgOPu8l_ZLf

Are you passionate about art, education, and community? Do you have experience with teaching and mentoring? Join the Hilltop Artists teaching team! We're currently accepting applications for our part-time Teaching artist position.

In the After-School and Production programs, the Teaching Artist provides instruction, mentorship, and classroom management in collaboration with the teaching team at Hilltop Heritage Middle School, implements glass art-based curriculum; and assists the After-School and Production Programs Managers in technical support for all programs as needed. Additionally, the Teaching Artist assists in supervision of teaching assistants and volunteers.

The Teaching Artist is enthusiastic, detail oriented, and takes initiative. They are deeply invested in student success and the mission of Hilltop Artists to “use glass arts to connect young people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to better futures.”
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🔗Learn more and apply—https://hilltopartists.org/work-with-hilltop-artists/

August is National Make-A-Will Month, an annual observance highlighting the importance of creating a will. Estate planning is a fundamental step in ensuring your wishes are honored. It's about safeguarding what matters the most to you.

💪As we observe National Make-A-Will Month this August, we at Hilltop Artists are reminded of the powerful narratives shaped by your support. We partner with FreeWill to help you protect the people and causes you love at no cost

Your will is not just a document; it’s a reflection of your values, a blueprint for the future, and an enduring expression of your commitment to nurturing young artists. This free tool not only helps you to protect your loved ones and assets, but also helps you support our collective will to connect young people from diverse cultural and economic background to better futures for years to come.

Learn more and make your gift—https://bit.ly/4dmquFx

📸Photo by Lisa Monet Photography

Thank you to everyone who came out to attend our annual Arts Night Out Block Party last week! We had an amazing afternoon of artmaking, music, free food, and community
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We appreciate all the amazing community partners who came together to make this year's block party something really special!⁠ Shout out to everyone at Imagine Justice Project, Taco Kane, and Chill Paletas for joining us.

Special thanks to Tacoma Public Utilities and Tacoma Creates for helping make this event possible.
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Be sure to mark your calendars for next year's community party—Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Want to make an impact, catch live artmaking, and join colorful community celebration? Help out at Hilltop Artists’ annual block party on Tuesday, August 6th from 4 - 7 PM.

Our craft table volunteers assist with running the screen-printing station, stocking supplies, cleaning up messes, and helping people with their crafts.

🎆 Sign up to volunteer soon—https://bit.ly/4fHi7Gf

It's a busy week at Hilltop Artists and we have so much coming up that we're delighted to share with you!

Our MoG residency is in full swing, we're celebrating three decades in our hot shops, and our annual luncheon is only two months away! (Plus, there are some other exciting projects we can't wait to tell you all about soon....)

Join Executive Director Dr. Kim Keith as she shares all the Hilltop Artists updates, this Thursday on CityLine!

🔗Live broadcast today at 9am. Find links to watch here—bit.ly/46t5slL

Do you have sharp writing skills, a keen eye for detail and organization, a proven ability to work independently, and a collaborative spirit?⁠ We're accepting applications for our part-time Grant Writer⁠ position!

The Grant Writer supports our development work by writing and submitting grant proposals and reports, tracking grant work, as well as completing research as assigned. They will be supported and guided in their work by our Development Director, and work with staff throughout the organization to gather necessary information for proposals and reporting.
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The ideal candidate for this position is detail-oriented with a record of accomplishing well-managed projects. 1+ year of grantwriting or other writing experience is a plus.
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You will be joining our small, highly motivated staff with a focus on collaboration, equity, and excellence. ⁠A relentless enthusiasm, positive attitude, and strong sense of joy in the mission are essential!⁠
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Learn more and apply—https://hilltopartists.org/work-with-hilltop-artists/

Tomorrow is the official kickoff of our 🔥annual residency at the Museum of Glass!

Each year, Hilltop Artists students and alums work together with the MoG artists to create the centerpiece sculptures for our annual fundraising luncheon.

Check out the team on the hot shop floor at MoG, July 31 - August 4 from 10am to 5pm daily. (And make sure to make a visit on Sunday, August 4th when Executive Director Kimberly Keith will give a talk about the creative process and share Hilltop Artists 30th anniversary updates!)

We're only eight days away from this year's Arts Night Out block party!

Join Hilltop Artists and Imagine Justice for a night of free fun, food, music, and artmaking.

Swing by the hot shop at Hilltop Heritage to see live glass blowing; shop the special Alumni & Instructors Art Market; grab a refreshing treat; enjoy hands-on arts and crafts; and check out activities from collaborators in youth-serving organizations as part of the Imagine Justice Project.

Thank you to Tacoma Public Utilities for their generous support of Arts Night Out. Additional event funding made possible by Tacoma Creates.

Get more information—https://hilltopartists.org/events/2024-arts-night-out/

Congrats to the Hilltop Burners for making it to the Minor League Division Semi-Final game this Sunday! 🥎 And if they win, it's on to the Finals!

Let's bring that fire to the field and make some unforgettable memories. Play hard, have fun, and show everyone why the Hilltop Burners are the team to beat! 💥

Good luck!

In honor of our 30th anniversary, Glassy and Pearly want to share some of the wisdoms they've picked up from across Hilltop Artists' three decades of history. So many different viewpoints and voices have helped shape our hot shops over the years.

"It's not what you can make, it's what you can fix."—An often-repeated mantra, heard frequently in the hot shop at Hilltop Artists

Resiliency is the name of the game. Glass making is repetition and trial and error. You make a cylinder over and over until you can achieve parallel sides. In the meantime you push, pull, and manipulate the material until it becomes something you like. You fix it, leaving a trail of happy accidents and experiments on your way to a balanced cylinder.

&Pearly

The Hilltop Artists annual Arts Night Out Block Party is back on Tuesday, August 6th, 2024! 🎉

Join us at Hilltop Artists for an evening of free fun, delicious food, vibrant music, and creative artmaking, all in partnership with Imagine Justice and the Youth and Safety Network (YSAN). This year, we’re excited to welcome community partners new and returning.

Celebrate Hilltop Artists' 30th anniversary with families, friends, artists, and community organizations. Enjoy the Alumni Artist Market, witness amazing glass demos in the hot shop, and dance the night away with DJ Midnight Mike!

For more details, visit our website—link in the bio. ⁠https://hilltopartists.org/events/2024-arts-night-out/

Happy to share that some of our (very unique) friends have emerged from the coldworking shop! ❄️🔨

Our incredible Instructor and Alumni team created some AMAZING collaborations during our residency week back in May. This event marked the first time the team worked with our 30th-anniversary logo (🎉check out the decal on that hoodie!)

Plus, the demonstration team crafted the ultimate Glass Instructor—inspired by a doodle from artist and alumni Atom Ivan. It was a truly fantastic residency, and we're deeply grateful to everyone who has supported Hilltop Artists as we celebrate our 30th anniversary! 🥳

If you want to see more of what makes Hilltop Artists so special, be sure to check out an upcoming event. 🗓️ https://hilltopartists.org/get-involved/calendar/

Two Hilltop Artists alumni are currently in France as part of our returning Student Ambassador Program! Regan Chavez and Ethan Budd were selected to spend three weeks in Biot, France studying with master glass blower, Antoine Pierini.

Antoine has been a partner for our Ambassador Program since 2014 and we are so thankful for his support of Hilltop Artists and our students. He has visited Tacoma several times and made time to visit our hot shop and work with Hilltop Artists students.

In addition to being a life-changing adventure for the students involved, our Biot Student Ambassador Program strengthens the tie between our sister cities as we forge new and enduring relationships among our youth and glass artists.

Since it's our 30th anniversary, we couldn't help but imagine what would happen if one of our beautiful glass creations became friends with a pearl (the traditional 30th anniversary gift, and also a beautiful, shimmering creation made in the sea...) and also from similar raw materials as glass! So without further ado, please meet Pearly and Glassy!

Pearly, with their lustrous sheen, symbolizes the beauty of nature’s patience, transforming from a grain of sand into a glowing treasure. Glassy embodies creativity and passion, crafted from sand through intense heat and expert manipulation!

Despite their different origins, Pearly and Glassy share a deep love for art and wisdom, forging a remarkable friendship. Together, they guide us through Hilltop Artists' milestone celebration, showcasing the artistry all around us and the potential for greatness in every grain of sand.

Look out for more from Pearly and Glassy soon!

For the past three decades, contributions from our community have helped us turn the dream of providing young people with transformative glassblowing experiences into a reality.

Our supporters' generosity empowers students and alumni from more than three generations to work as artists worldwide, graduate from college, and compete on reality TV. More than that, they've become incredible teachers, leaders, and professionals who care for their communities.

Thank you for joining us on this journey—we are deeply grateful for your ongoing support and commitment to our mission. To the next thirty years and beyond!

Two of our wonderful Hilltop Artists, Instructor Dani and Team Production student Eden had a chance to go to the🔥Corning Museum of Glass last week!

Corning's Expanding Horizons program gives young glassmakers the opportunity to continue developing their skills in the field of glassmaking.⁠
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Thanks to all the instructors for leading such a great session and to Corning for the opportunity! 🙏

Mark your calendars—the Hilltop Artists annual Arts Night Out Block Party returns this August! Join Hilltop Artists and Imagine Justice for a night of free fun, food, music, and artmaking.

Celebrate Hilltop Artists' 30th anniversary at our Block Party! Join families, friends, artists, and community organizations for food and fun activities. Shop our Alumni Artist Market, stop in the hot shop for a glass demo, and get out on the dance floor with DJ Midnight Mike!
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We’re excited to bring the community together this summer! Keep an eye on our website for more info—https://hilltopartists.org/events/2024-arts-night-out/
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We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Hilltop Artists annual Better Futures Luncheon, Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, at the Bicentennial Pavilion at Hotel Murano.

But our fundraiser would be nothing without the sustaining support of our Table Captains! Table captains work closely with the Hilltop Artists team to make sure the Better Futures Luncheon is attended by passionate community supporters.

Interested in volunteering as a Table Captain? We appreciate your special commitment to this celebration! 🎟️ Check out the link to get your BFL tickets and sign up—https://hilltopartists.org/betterfutures/

There’s still time to give!

Celebrate 30 years of Hilltop Artists and make your gift in support of the future of our students. Now is a powerful moment to make your gift in support of connecting our young people to better futures.

With your generosity, we can continue to inspire and empower the next generation of young artists, empowering them to create beauty in their lives and effect meaningful change in their community.⁠

Visit our website for ways you can make a difference—https://hilltopartists.org/f-give

This is your last weekend to check out the amazing Hilltop Artists 30th Anniversary Pop-Up exhibition at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art!

Get out to BIMA through June 30th to see this incredible exhibition featuring works from throughout Hilltop Artists history. (And make sure to check out the Matters of Pride Pop-Up show, also closing this weekend.)

🔎 And don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for hidden glass as part of BIMA's 2nd annual Treasure Trek!

🎨 We're thrilled by the outpouring of love and support at our 30th Anniversary Pop-Up exhibition reception. It's a testament to the power of our community and creativity. If you haven't visited yet, there's still time until June 30th!

And if you believe in nurturing young talent and fostering artistic futures, consider donating to Hilltop Artists today. Every contribution helps us empower the next generation of artists! 💪

Make your gift in support of Hilltop Artists: https://hilltopartists.org/f-give

Did you hear? Tacoma ranks #3 on CNN Travel "America's Best Towns to Visit in 2024" list! We have such an amazing, thriving community and we are so proud to be part of what makes this city great. 🔥

Shoutout to our buddy, Benjamin Cobb from Museum of Glass, for showing some love to the Hilltop Artists program in the article!

Get the full scoop here: https://www.cnn.com/travel/tacoma-washington-best-towns-america/index.html

SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 | 5 - 8 PM | BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART

Join Hilltop Artists and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art to celebrate 30th anniversary pop-up exhibition. We are so excited to be able to share this two-week show this summer!

Enjoy a chance to tour the exhibition, meet and mingle with artists, and connect with other Hilltop Artists fans and supporters! This reception is free and open to the public.

ℹ️ More info—https://hilltopartists.org/events/bima24-reception/

Did you know Hilltop Artists has been shaping better futures for 30 incredible years? 🎉 Our hot shops aren't just studios—they're sanctuaries where young talents thrive amidst life's ups and downs.
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Here's the scoop: we're working to raise $50,000 by June 30th and have hit 10% of our goal—We need YOU to help us reach 100% and keep these programs glowing! Your support means everything to us and our community.⁠
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Join our Murrini Club today for an easy, ongoing way to give back. Your monthly gift helps us keep the glass blowing fires burning bright, offering tuition-free opportunities that truly change lives.⁠

🔗 Visit our website to make your donation https://hilltopartists.org/f-give

🌟 Join us tonight for the final Third Thursday of the school year with Hilltop Artists! Every third Thursday of the month—watch Hilltop Artists collaborate and create live on the Museum of Glass hot shop floor!

We're incredibly grateful for partnerships like the one we have with the Museum of Glass. Their support allows us to provide our students with unique opportunities to learn and grow in the art of glassblowing. Together, we're making a difference in our community and inspiring the next generation of artists.

More info at hilltopartists.org/get-involved/calendar/

ARTS CONNECT SHOWCASE⁠
THURSDAY, JUNE 20 | 5:30 - 6:30 PM⁠
SILAS HIGH SCHOOL HOTSHOP⁠
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Please join us in celebrating the youth of our Arts Connect program as they showcase their handmade glass and mixed media sculptures and share their journey with art.

A collaborative work will be presented and donated to their service learning partner, YWCA of Pierce County, in support of victims of domestic violence.
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Learn more about our Arts Connect programs on our website—https://hilltopartists.org/arts-connect/

🎨Calling all aspiring glass artists!🔥Are you eager to dive into the mesmerizing world of glass arts, unleash your creativity, and connect with other like-minded creators? Look no further than Hilltop Artists' Summer Glass Art classes!

Applications are now open, so seize this opportunity to tap into your creative inspiration and make your own stunning pieces!

🔗Get signed up for your session and get more info—https://hilltopartists.org/summer/

To everyone who has shown their support of Hilltop Artists, THANK YOU!

Because of your generosity, we can continue to offer a trusting, inspiring environment and network of mentors for the next generation of Hilltop Artists.

Want to start your year off with a donation to inspire the next generation of artists in Tacoma? You can help provide another year of creativity, beauty, community, and connection for our young people with a gift today. Your support allows all of us to thrive and glow together!

Make your gift and read the full "Glow Together, Grow Together" letter on our website—https://hilltopartists.org/winter-appeal-2023/

It is with regret that we are announcing that Production Manager Trenton Quiocho is leaving Hilltop Artists. 😢

Trenton has been an integral part of our team for years—as a student, as a part-time Teaching Artist, and most recently as our Production Manager. He has greatly contributed to our glass curriculum by introducing advanced techniques to our students, ensuring that they learned even more than he did when he was a student. His skills and experience have truly enhanced our program.

We appreciate the additional things Trenton has done to enhance the reputation of Hilltop Artists. Curating the "GATHER" exhibition at Tacoma Art Museum; participating in local, national, and international group exhibitions; and, of course, participating as a contestant on "Blown Away"—we will forever appreciate his sharing his shine with us.

Trenton will always be a part of the Hilltop Artists family and we wish him the best in everything that comes next!

Keep up with Trenton and his work—Baso Glass