One of the things that makes Hilltop Artists so special is that most of the instructors, like Tony, were once students. They know what it’s like to be mentored and they bring that insight into the studio every day.
Hilltop Artists is a youth development organization that uses glass art to connect with young people — not just to build technical skills, but to support emotional growth and resilience. Tony, now the Studio Manager and Teaching Artist at Silas High School, shared how powerful that process was for him. Shares Tony, “As a student, I messed up, I broke stuff, I was learning something new. Doing things over and over taught me perseverance. Kids don’t like that part of the process, particularly because it is public, in front of other students. You will mess up; keep trying.”
That spirit of growth stuck with him. “As a teenager I was taught hot glass sculpting and was lucky enough to learn techniques from Maestro Pino Signoretto. I pass those techniques along to my students. This year I took a cold sculpting class from Scott Darlington. It gave me a new way to think about sculpting and new techniques to teach my students.”
Tony’s roots with Hilltop Artists run deep. “ ‘No class, no glass’ was the mantra when I started as a student here in the late ‘90s. Hilltop Artists kept me in school, made sure I graduated, and provided me with a vocational skill. I have been a teacher here for over 20 years now, and I give my students what was given to me – a chance to do meaningful work and become the best person I can be.”
Tony shows us what’s possible when young people are given the chance to grow, learn, and lead. His journey from student to mentor and artist to educator is a powerful reminder of the community support that makes Hilltop Artists possible. As they kick off a new school year and a season of Better Futures, there are no shortage of meaningful ways to see the power of their programs.
For Additional Information
Hilltop Artists
hilltopartists.org