Designer and teacher, Thomas Stearns was born on September 4, 1936 in Oklahoma City, U.S.A. In 1955 he left his hometown to study painting at the Memphis Academy of Art until 1957. From 1957 to 1959 he attended the prestigious Cranbrook Academy of Art and received a postgraduate Fulbright Travel Grant for Italy for the purpose of the research in the glass field. In 1960, at the age of 24 years he arrives to the Venini and starts collaborating with the maestro Checco Ongaro and produces a series of refined blown glass pieces with a preference of unusual materials and asymmetrical shapes. Among his most famous works are the ÒFacciate di VenaziaÓ and the ÒCapello del DogeÓ. Stearns remains in Venice till 1962. In 1970 Thomas Stearns began teaching at The University of the Arts, Philadelphia where he was an Associate Professor in the Sculpture department. Currently retired he resides in Philadelphia.