Born in 1947 in Gary, Indiana, Tom Sourlis has pursued a lifelong interest in arts and crafts through weaving, painting and flat glasswork. He studied architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology for four years, quitting school to go into VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America).

In 1974, he began making stained glass windows and lampshades which led to a 30 year fascination with glass lamps beginning with Tiffany style and moving into more contemporary, sculptural forms; 
all of his work being driven by his enduring, reverential connection to nature.

Working in concert at Uroboros Glass in Portland, Orgeon, with fellow glass luminary Eric Lovell, 
Tom has recently experimented with and created unique varieties of sheet glass. He continues his experimentation and visionary search to discover new ways to produce beautiful glass objects.

"Pioneers in the art of ‘thin fusing, Tom Sourlis and Twyla Butler of Sourlis Glass Studio are known for their gossamery sculptural pieces. They’re intricate fused glass figures call attention to the delicate nature of glass, pushing the boundaries of traditional glass fusing. From lampshades to abstract fused panels, Sourlis Glass Studios works their gauze-like glass into ethereal forms that seem to defy the possibilities of fusible glass." -Ed Hoy's International