George J. Thiewes, 82, passed away Jan. 17 in Phoenix, Ariz. George was born in Waseca, Minn. to George W. and Cynetta Thiewes and graduated from Marian High School in Owatonna, Minn. He received his BA from Mankato State University and MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. George married Katherine Ford in the mid-1970s and moved to Woodstock, and in the early 2000s, relocated to Phoenix, Ariz.
George was a pioneer of the American Studio Glass Movement, spending more than two decades helping define a transformative era in contemporary craft. His mastery of glass, and later drawing and sculpture, earned him a place in distinguished private and public collections including the Smithsonian Institution, Phoenix Art Museum, Corning Museum of Glass, and the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2000, George turned his attention to steel sculpture and drawing. His 30-foot sculpture Zap! is permanently installed in the Phoenix Museum of Art. George is survived by his siblings Sam (partner Beth), Rachelle (Dan) and Dan (Paula), and niece Kelly Otter, nephews Scott Thiewes and Jake Thiewes. A retrospective exhibition of George’s art will open at the Phoenix Art Museum in summer of 2027.
