Featured Artist: Milo Snyder, Seattle WA

My admiration for light began deep within a dark canyon in Utah. There, a single beam of sunlight traversed to the bottom, where it reflected off a pool of water and danced on the carved walls. This profound moment revealed light’s power to bring the present moment into focus, a sensation my work seeks to recreate in contemporary spaces.

I come from a family of glassmakers: my parents first met in a glass hot shop. Growing up immersed in this craft instilled in me a deep fascination with the material and the rich traditions of glassmaking. My path to glass artistry was not a straight one. With a degree in Chemical Engineering, I explored the beauty of the physical world through the lens of science, delving into the interplay of form and function. This foundation led to a professional career in data modeling and visualization, where I developed the ability to identify and communicate elegant solutions to complex problems. These experiences now inform my approach to sculpture, blending analytical precision with creative intuition.

In my backyard studio in Seattle, WA, I combine time-honored glassmaking techniques with modern digital modeling and computational design. My work bridges tradition and innovation, transforming ancient Egyptian methods of glass casting to explore new geometric possibilities. Since dedicating myself fully to my glass sculpture practice in 2021, I have created hundreds of sculptures, transformed dozens of residential spaces, exhibited in several galleries, and welcomed art enthusiasts into my studio during tours. My online gallery is at MiloSnyder.com

Design & Discovery

I combine mathematical beauty with ancient craft to create lighting sculptures that elicit awe. Every project starts as meditations on natural phenomena and geometry. Through computer algorithms and simulations, designs are discovered that evoke and inspire.

A shape is designed on computer and 3D printed

Designs are materialized in a castable material using carefully tuned, customized 3D printers. Each model is then hand-finished with traditional techniques. Following centuries-old methods, forms are invested in plaster molds and filled with molten glass, capturing every intricate detail of the design. This critical stage merges digital precision with the organic nature of molten glass.

After dipping the shape in wax it is detailed by hand

The shape is invested in plaster, melted out, and then used to cast glass

The finishing process requires meticulous patience and attention to detail. Through grinding, polishing, and sandblasting, each piece is further sculpted to enhance its interaction with light. Custom brass hardware completes each fixture.

I believe glass sculptural lighting has an unparalleled ability to captivate, and I invite you to experience the world through this lens. Please stop by to see it in person during the Glass And Decor studio tour October 18-19 in north Seattle.

(There’s great video of Milo’s process at https://www.milosnyder.com/about2, scroll down to Process Journey)