About
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BackgroundTom Holdman’s journey into the visual arts began in his childhood. As a severe stutterer, he found it easier to communicate through his art. His first experience with art glass was in high school with an art teacher who could see Toms potential. At the age of 21, he opened a stained glass studio out of his parents’ garage and found patrons by going door to door. Using these earnings, he traveled to Europe to study the masterpieces in stained glass as well as other art forms. On his return, he committed himself to create monumental works of art to touch the lives of millions. Some twenty years later, he is doing just that. He owns and operates Holdman Studios, Inc. located at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. His works of art are appreciated worldwide and represent many different techniques in glass. Tom’s drive to create and to inspire others has blessed the Utah community.In addition to Holdman Studios, Tom spearheaded The Art Institute at Thanksgiving Point where thousands have come to explore the visual arts through tours, classes and workshops. The experience fulfills Tom’s dream of sharing the miracle of communication through art by teaching others that they can do the same.AchievementTom Holdman began his career as a glass artist 20 years ago. Since then, he now holds an impressive place in the world of visual arts. He has a passion for sharing the designs in his heart and in his head. In a field where competition can be steep, he has committed himself to producing visually stunning, emotionally moving and inspiring pieces of art that stand the test of time. His journey has included enhancing edifices of all types—private and public, sacred and secular.He started early in his business by creating windows for many doors, entryways and cabinets-mostly in private residences. One of his first large-scale projects began in 1994, after only three years in business. Aware that a children’s library was being built in his hometown of Orem, Utah, he envisioned creating a large mural of children’s stories in stained glass. Even though Tom had not yet completed a project of such complexity or in that technique, he knew it was possible and was tireless to see it to fruition. It was completed in 1995. Tom was 25 years old. At 8’ high and 32’ long altogether, it continues to be one of the most talked about and appreciated aspects of the building. The window design was used to advertise the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival for four years in a row.With the great success of that project, Tom and his studio were able to obtain many other large architectural bids. Some of these include:•SCERA Art Center, Orem, UT. 10 murals depicting the Humanities•American Fork, UT, Public Library. Large rotunda 12’ by 150’ depicting a solar calendar•St. Joseph’s Chapel, Salt Lake City, UT. Landscape scene with symbolic flowers•Virgen de Guadeloupe Church, Mesquite, NV. Religious figure sculpted in glass•Presbyterian Church, American Fork, UT. Monumental portrait of the Savior on the Sea of Galilee.•Medical Facility, Dallas, TX. 50 piece sculpted collage wall hanging. 40’ by 40’•Xango Corporate offices, Lehi, UT. A 20’ glass chandelier•Wadsworth Construction/Tuscany Restaurant, Salt Lake City. A very large 2000 piece crystal chandelier depicting a grape vine with exposed roots and grape clusters made entirely out of glass. Considered by many to be the best chandelier in the state of Utah.•Zermatt Resort, Midway, UT. Traditional painted scenes representing Swiss culture•City of St. George. Large tower built on Town Square to hold four 8’ circular stained glass windows depicting the history of the region and the city.In 1999, Holdman Studios was given their first opportunity to work on the temple art glass for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The studio has since worked on at least 16 of the LDS temples worldwide. Some of these are located in Palmyra – NY, Winter Quarters – NE, Nauvoo – IL, Manhattan – NY, San Antonio – TX, San Salvador – El Salvador, Sao Paulo – Brazil, Oahu – HI, Twin Falls – ID, Rexburg – ID, Mesa – AZ, Boise – ID, Draper – UT and Rome – Italy. The number of windows for the temples by Holdman Studios have totaled in the thousands. These windows have ranged from biblical scenes to sculptured glass elements. Additionally he has created art pieces for:•LDS Conference Center, Salt Lake City, UT Biblical scene depicting Christ at the pool of Bethesda.•LDS Visitors Center, Palmyra, NY A figurative scene of Joseph Smith receiving the Golden Plates from the heavens. This piece includes over 1700 pieces of hand cut glass.•Clyde Companies, Orem, UT. A depiction of Geneva Rock, Sunrock, Gorge and Beehive Insurance for their head corporate office. 15’ circle•Many other countless residences and businesses.Tom Holdman’s philosophy is whether you speak English or another foreign tongue, whether you are LDS , Catholic, or another religion, the visual arts speak as a language on its own to all nations and people. Tom’s mission is to bridge the gap of communication that divides us. This is being fulfilled as Holdman Studios work has been in many international newspapers and magazines (51 languages and counting). These include The New York Times, USA Today and as far away as Russia and Japan.Holdman Studios glass art is displayed in all 50 states and many countries worldwide. The mission of speaking in the language of art is being heard. As one newspaper journalist wrote “It has been said that the artist (Tom Holdman) has a speech impediment and he speaks through his art. If that is the case then he is a world class orator.” (Hannibal Courier)Tom has been selected to accomplish these many projects because of the excellence he shows in his field in design and construction as well as his ability to produce superior outcomes and exceed expectations.Some of Tom’s previous awards in his field include the Star Award for Visual Arts in Utah County, the Annual Art Competition at the Church Museum of History and Art, and the Best of Show at the Utah State Fair.InnovationTom Holdman felt moved to create an art glass studio as a young man. Finding no available educational opportunity in this specific field, he learned through trial and error. His vision was opened to possibilities as he traveled throughout Europe to study stained glass and the lost art of painting on glass-while sleeping in his car most nights. Through much experimentation, he learned the ancient art form of using crushed, powdered glass as a paint applied to a glass surface and fired to 1200 degrees. This allowed Tom to get the detail that was so prevalent in these ancient windows. He now has been able to revive this art form with modern tools, such as airbrushing, to get much more detail then has been possible in the recent past.Tom also created a state-of-the-art glass blowing facility. This allowed Holdman Studios to merge 2 dimensional stained glass with aspects of the 3 dimensional form of glass blowing, thus creating entirely new design possibilities. The facility also offered an opportunity for the studio to make one-of-a-kind glass colors, which could then be used in the creation of unique and customized stained glass.The hot glass shop additionally has given the studio the advantage to explore the aspects of sculpture that can be had with molten glass. Holdman Studios has now created several large-scale original design pieces, including chandeliers, wall and ceiling collages, garden and water features as well as a 12 sculpted glass Christmas tree. The studio is always exploring new techniques in glass. Whether it is carved, molded, poured, or torched the studio has designed, created and sold it.QualityTom Holdman is a visionary. Along with the incredible designs that fill his mind are the endless possibilities of how to use those designs to enhance the life experiences of others. Realizing that art is often a luxury unavailable to the masses, in many instances, Tom has taken upon himself the endeavor of raising the funds for art projects that otherwise would not have been realized.Over the past 20 years, Tom has raised the money for and created the following projects for public buildings:•8 ‘ by 32 ‘ stained glass mural filled with children’s stories for the Orem City Library Children’s Wing. Sixteen years later, that window is the icon of recognition for the library. Patrons of the library frequently share their love and appreciation for the joy it brings.•Eight art glass murals depicting the many areas of the Humanities for the SCERA Arts Center in Orem, Utah. Because of the success of that artwork, funds were recently raised to create two new larger murals for an addition the Art Center.•12’ by 150’ rotunda space in the American Fork Library.•Glass sculpture collage for the Highland City Library-8’ by 12’•12’ tall sculpted glass Christmas tree which was donated to the Festival of Trees to raise money for Primary Children’s Hospital. It was one of the highest selling trees in the festival’s history.•Various other art glass projects have benefited from Tom’s fund raising.•Tom is currently working on designs for the Utah Valley University Library. The windows will depict the History of the World in stained glass mural format and is over 100 feet long. This will allow the students to look at great minds in history that have changed the world and inspire them to follow suit.Tom’s contribution to our community goes beyond his beautiful works of art. He is so passionate about the positive influence art has on all our lives and with concern for the dwindling art education in public schools, he started The Art Institute at Thanksgiving Point. The Institute offers numerous art classes in various mediums for all ages. Students between 4 and 80 years old have benefited from the programs, whether it be pottery, watercolor, stained glass, jewelry making or blown glass, among others. The Art Institute keeps growing in the number of students as well as the numerous classes offered. Thousands of people step foot in the studio and are submerged in art. The doors are open to the public, for free, to come in and see what we are creating on a daily basis.The Institute reaches out to the community by providing volunteer opportunities to help create large-scale artwork. These groups have included organizations of troubled youth, many private schools, as well as job-shadowing programs. These experiences take place daily. Tours have been successfully provided for many public schools, scout troops, youth groups, women’s organizations and many other community groups.Beyond his amazing artistic talents, Tom reaches out to his community in a profound way. Tom has a speech impediment, he stutters, but he has not let this fact get in the way of speaking about his passion. He has often stated that what could be perceived as an obstacle has been a blessing in his life. His love for art, family, his faith and his community are obvious when he addresses a group. His openness in sharing his experience as a person with this challenge has enlightened and inspired all who hear him speak. A video documentary was created about Tom entitled, “Speaking Through Glass” which is aired on PBS and has won the People’s Choice Award at both the Utah Arts Festival and the LDS Film Festival. He inspires all who come into his life. His weakness in communicating verbally has created a significant strength of communicating to the hearts and minds of others through the visual arts.
