Dante Marioni entered the international glass scene at the age of 19 with a signature style that has been described as the purest of classical forms executed in glass by an American glassblower. His elongated, sinuous glass amphoras, vases and ewers are derived from Greek and Etruscan prototypes and reflect Marioni's training in centuries-old Venetian glassblowing techniques with some of the greatest masters in contemporary glass.
Marioni is renowned as a teacher and often shares his expertise through lectures, demonstrations and workshops. Each year, Marioni brings his artistry and expertise to Pilchuck, where he serves visiting artists in residence, helping them to experiment in glass for the first time. He serves on the Pilchuck Glass School board of trustees and has received awards from the American Crafts Council, UrbanGlass and the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation. His work is held in the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the White House collection of American Crafts.
Leonard and Norma Klorfine support nonprofits they believe in, especially smaller and younger organizations that are mission-driven. As a result of their philosophy of giving and through their family foundation, they have empowered nonprofits to achieve tangible results that benefit their communities in the areas of the environment, arts and culture, medical research and education. A retired real estate investor, Leonard describes their purpose for giving, "We want to create a better tomorrow and make an impact through our support of nonprofits that are working hard, but need a hand. We're passionate about our causes."
Norma explains the shared roots of their philanthropy, "Our parents taught us to give back to the community, and we feel that is an imperative for everyone; in services, expertise, funding, and, especially time," a quality they have passed on to their children who are actively involved in the foundation. In the Pacific Northwest they have provided major support to organizations such as Bellevue Arts Museum, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Pilchuck Glass School, Museum of Glass, Artist Trust, Glass Art Society, IslandWood, Virginia Mason Foundation, Seattle Art Museum and numerous environmental organizations. Nationally they have supported organizations such as the Scripps Institute, Woodmere Art Museum, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
PILCHUCK GLASS SCHOOL
240 Second Avenue South, Suite 100,
WA 98104 Seattle, United States
+1 (206) 621-8422
info@pilchuck.com
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