About
The artist behind the glass
The artist behind the glass
April Wagner has been working with glass for over thirty years, developing a mastery that bridges traditional Venetian glassblowing techniques and contemporary sculptural expression. Based in Michigan's Metro Detroit area, her studio practice is rooted in the physical — the heat of the furnace, the breath that shapes each form, and the spontaneous chemistry of molten glass meeting air.
Her sculptures explore the boundaries of what glass can become: sinuous organic forms that appear frozen in mid-movement, vibrant color fields that shift with ambient light, and monumental installations that transform architectural spaces.
April's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums nationally, and commissioned for corporate headquarters, healthcare facilities, houses of worship, and private residences. She has received numerous awards and recognition for both her artistic achievement and her contribution to the glass arts community.
She welcomes studio visits by appointment and is available for both public and private commissions of any scale.
Get in touch
01
Every piece begins with research and sketching — studying light, form, and the environment the work will inhabit. Color palettes are developed and scaled models may be created for larger installations.
02
Working at temperatures exceeding 2,000°F, each sculpture is shaped by hand using a combination of blowing, pulling, and hot-sculpting techniques. The glass is alive — responsive to gravity, heat, and every subtle movement.
03
Completed forms are slowly cooled in a computer-controlled kiln over 24–72 hours, relieving internal stresses. Cold-working techniques — grinding, polishing, and sandblasting — refine the final surface.