Demetra Theofanous is primarily a self-taught flameworker, learning through years of experimentation at her torch. Building upon the foundation of a bead workshop and short internship in borosilicate glass 10 years ago, she began to see what was possible in glass as a sculptural material, and her journey began. Her biggest influence during this time was Dean Bensen, a blown glass artist, whom she assisted in the hotshop. As his assistant, she built a familiarity with glass that began to translate to techniques she was attempting at her table top torch. This experience gave rise to the glass flowers, branches, and bird nests that are her signature.

Demetra has received international recognition for her woven glass nest and flora sculptures. She is a 2010 & 2013 NICHE Award Finalist, a 2014 NICHE Award Winner, a 2015 NICHE Award Finalist, won the 2013 Glasscraft Emerging Artist Award, and received a Juror’s Choice Award from renowned collector Dorothy Saxe. She has exhibited at the International Triennial of Silicate Arts in Hungary, San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design, National Liberty Museum, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, Alameda Museum, and in the Crocker Art Museum’s prestigious 2012 Crocker-Kingsley Biennial. She maintains a private studio in San Francisco, teaches nationally, and serves as President of the Glass Alliance of Northern California.