Hilltop Artists students in Italo Scanga’s Sculpture Class, summer of 1994. Photograph by Frederick D. Joe, courtesy of The News Tribune. In 1994, the Hilltop neighborhood in Tacoma had become one of the most troubled areas on the West Coast. Recognizing the need to provide youth with an alternative to being recruited by the groups proliferating violence in the streets of the city, Tacoma-born artist Dale Chihuly joined with Kathy Kaperick and co-founded Hilltop Artists.
Hilltop Artists is a youth development arts nonprofit in Tacoma, Washington operating deeply impactful programs since 1994 with broad community support, and a track record of success.
Hilltop Artists serves over 650 students a year ages 12 – 26 through its programming, providing tuition-free glass instruction, mentorship, and collaborative leadership opportunities.
This is anti-racist work guided by justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an understanding of trauma-informed care and social and emotional learning.
Hilltop Artists is dedicated to its mission:
Using glass art to connect young people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to better futures.
In 1994, the inaugural group of twenty youth from the Hilltop neighborhood met in the former wood shop at Jason Lee Middle School – now Hilltop Heritage Middle School. They were introduced to a range of sculptural mediums, including woodworking. Back then, glass art involved converting Snapple and soda bottles into blown glass drinkware and vases.
In addition to the now world class hot shop at Hilltop Heritage Middle School, Hilltop Artists has grown to include a hot shop at Silas (formerly Wilson) High School. Tacoma Public Schools has partnered with Hilltop Artists since the beginning, highlighting the organization as a positive force in increasing students’ academic and interpersonal success.
Hilltop Artists Growth Through the Years
Current Ongoing Programs | 1994—2024
