Hilltop Artists helps Tacoma youth flourish

Heat, patience and precision — that’s what it takes to transform molten glass into intricate works of art. Students at Hilltop Artists, a youth development arts nonprofit in Tacoma, have been helping kids develop skills in the glass arts for nearly 30 years.

Student creations range from individual pieces like bowls and pendants to mixed-media exhibits and complex installations. But what students value about this program goes beyond technical knowledge and artistic expertise.

“It’s such a welcoming community,” says high school senior Aidan Rosa, who has been participating in Hilltop Artists since the seventh grade.

“Their programs and their outreach are just impeccable,” he says. “They are the kind of people who listen and will go far and wide to help you with whatever you need.”

Making an exclusive art more inclusive

Glassblowing, invented by Syrian craftsmen in the first century BC, has evolved into an exclusive medium. The space and financial investment required to maintain a hot shop — the facility where glass artists work — puts this art form out of reach for many.

In 1994, Hilltop Artists was founded with the intention of creating an inclusive environment for diverse youth to gain hands-on experience in the glass arts, a field that tends to be dominated by white, male artists.

“I think the biggest thing we provide is a safe space for kids of different ages, genders, cultures and races to express themselves creatively,” says Trenton Quiocho, production manager at Hilltop Artists. “We provide access at no cost to students, which is huge.”

Seventeen years ago, Quiocho started out as a student in Hilltop Artists, and it proved to be a defining experience. After he graduated high school, Quiocho decided to pursue the glass arts as a career, working for glassybaby in Seattle, completing an artist residency at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma and supporting Hilltop Artists through leadership roles.

Some of his recent glass pieces, featured in an exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum, explore Quiocho’s Filipino American heritage.

“If it hadn’t been for Hilltop Artists, I’m not sure I would be where I am today,” he says. “There’s not many places in the world where you have kids as young as 12 learning the basics of glassblowing. And whether or not they decide to pursue the glass arts professionally, they are gaining self-confidence and learning skills that will benefit them throughout the rest of their lives.”

Hilltop Artists facts

Hilltop Artists, in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools, offers a range of programming for youth 12-26: after-school and summer classes, in-class electives, a production team for advanced students, an alumni group, outreach services, scholarships and more. Their programs benefit more than 650 students a year.

In 2022, 100 percent of 12th grade students in their production program graduated high school, and many continued their education at two- or four-year colleges.

For Adeline Rubke, a high school freshman who has participated in Hilltop Artists since the eighth grade, one of those skills is learning how to adapt to changing circumstances.

“Sometimes glass breaks,” she says. “You have to work together with other people to make changes on the fly and see what else you can make, or what you can do to fix a problem when something doesn’t go according to plan.”

Rubke also appreciates the freedom to experiment in an atmosphere that promotes learning and camaraderie.

“One of my favorite parts is playing around with color, because you never know exactly what a piece is going to look like until it’s done — it’s always a surprise,” she says.

Like Rubke, high school senior Rosa has valued the opportunity to engage in creative teamwork with other youth from schools throughout Tacoma.

“When you’re on the hot shop floor, communication is really important for both safety and collaboration,” Rosa says. “I’ve really enjoyed the chance to understand other people’s artistic visions and help bring them to life.”

Hilltop Artists awarded Rosa a scholarship for artists of color in 2022 to further his glass arts training at a workshop in Tennessee with glass artist Tate Newfield.

“Being able to enjoy the company of other people who are just as passionate about the glass arts as I am was amazing,” Rosa says. “I learned so much and I got to try out new skills like woodworking and making glass flooring.”

Building bridges and shines

Sound to Narrows Shines, created by Hilltop Artists

Hilltop Artists is a recipient of MultiCare’s Community Partnership Fund, which awards funds to nonprofits whose initiatives improve our communities. However, MultiCare has also benefited from the creativity and generosity of Hilltop Artists, like Rosa and Rubke.

Glass float installation, created by Hilltop Artists, at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital

Each year, students at Hilltop Artists create glass medallions called Shines for Sound to Narrows, an annual race in Tacoma that helps raise money for the MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare Camp.

On Global Running Day (a few days before Sound to Narrows), the Shines are hidden on popular trails in Pierce County for the community to discover. This year, Hilltop Artists created 51 Shines to mark the 51st anniversary of Sound to Narrows, held June 10, 2023.

You can also view the beautiful work of Hilltop Artists at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Students created over 1,800 glass floats, with sea creatures hidden inside, that line the skybridge connecting the hospital to other pediatric floors. The goal of the 2014 project was to offer inspiration and encouragement to children as they heal.

“Partnering for healing and a healthy future” is MultiCare’s mission, and it inspires us to form connections that help improve the quality of life for our communities. Community organizations all around us are doing amazing work, and we’re inspired and excited to support that work.

Stories from our Community is an ongoing series conceived to dive into some of these organizations*, bring their stories to life and spread the word about how they are making our communities better.

*Some of the organizations profiled in this series are recipients of MultiCare’s Community Partnership Fund, which awards funds to nonprofit organizations working on initiatives, programs and projects that improve our community.