Raising a Glass to Our Donors

Have you ever stopped to notice the commemorative glass artwork visible throughout the Phoenix? This art serves to honor donors who have named spaces in our facility, such as the Livia & Steve Russell Theatre and the Frank & Katrina Basile Stage. Several of these glass sculptures were installed shortly after our new building opened in 2018. As the Ignite Passion & Purpose Campaign has progressed, a handful of donors have chosen to name new spaces in the building, and so the Phoenix has commissioned new artwork from GRT Glass to commemorate these spaces.

GRT Glass Design, a local company founded by Greg Thompson, has been responsible for the creation of all glass artwork in the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre. The most recent piece the Phoenix commissioned from them honors the late Michael O'Brien—a businessman and philanthropist who leaves behind a long legacy of supporting arts organizations in Indianapolis.

The artwork was installed on March 14 in the Michael O'Brien Gallery Phoenix. Artists involved in this project include Greg Thompson, Kerry Causey, Emily Webster, and Molly Lyons.

Artists at GRT Glass work with each client to mock up and sketch an initial idea of what they’re envisioning. “We usually do different types of examples and try to work in the price range of the patrons. Depending on what the piece needs it can take a couple days, weeks, or months to finish an item,” shared Summer Lynn Stone, instructor and education coordinator at GRT.

The creation that takes place in a theatre and in a hot glass studio may be vastly different forms of art, but Stone noted that there are similarities. “I think the arts are all connected in the aspect that they make us take minute to feel and think—something that doesn’t happen enough.”

Gregory Thompson

Gregory Thompson, the man who started GRT in 1987. His favorite thing about glass is “Everything!” Hot, cold, hard, soft, fluid—it’s the most versatile medium to artists. He has worked on many projects over the last 43 years at GRT, but some of his favorites include installations along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, at Riley Hospital for Children, the King of Prussia Mall water feature, and the Next Project. Outside of GRT, Greg enjoys construction and running marathons.