In loving memory of Hilltop Artist Dylan Atkinson-Betz
In the early morning hours of July 19, 2020, the American glass community lost a shining star. Dylan Christopher Atkinson-Betz passed away suddenly at the age of 30.
Born on December 13, 1989, in Tacoma, Washington, Dylan leaves behind his father, Chris Betz, his mother, Theresa Atkinson, and three siblings, Sally Betz, Sam Betz and Wylie Betz.
Dylan was an artist from a young age. He began working with glass in 2001, at Hilltop Artists in Residence in Tacoma, at the age of 12. His first paying job was as a member of Hilltop Artists’ production team.
He attended Tacoma’s School of the Arts, focusing on the visual arts, specifically drawing and illustration. He went on to receive an Associates Degree in Graphic Design from Seattle Central College.
Dylan went on to work at many studios, including Glassybaby and Glass Eye Studio in Seattle, Washington. He moved to Oakland, California with Glassybaby, where he helped to set up their Berkeley location and train countless glassblowers. No matter where he went, Dylan impressed people with his friendly nature and attention to detail.
Most recently Dylan worked at Monarch Glass Studio in Kansas City, Missouri, from 2019 until his passing. While there, he began to branch out into stained glass, and became an integral part of the Kansas City glass community.
Dylan taught countless classes and lessons, impressing students with his patience and consistent good will. He also produced lighting, home goods, installations, and other commissions. He had the rare talent of being good at almost anything he tried.
In his own artwork, Dylan painted on glass using enamels and enjoyed making whimsical glass sculptures or collaborating with friends. His ink drawings gained accolades from a young age and continued to amaze viewers through the whole of his career.
Dylan also enjoyed trying new foods, comics and anime, film, listening to music, video games, and spending time with friends and his dog, Mars.
If you ever knew or met Dylan Betz, you will know what a loss this is.
The glass community joins his family and friends in mourning the passing of this lovely soul.
Dylan is much loved and much missed: his Hilltop Artists community is proud to carry on his spirit of creativity, collaboration, and fun.
If you would like to celebrate Dylan’s life, his family invites you to make a donation in his honor to Hilltop Artists.
