Louis "Tony" Curiel has been creating beautiful fine art since the mid 1970s and today he not only oversees the curriculum at the Visual Arts school he founded, but also oversees all the work his team of professionals create for others as commissioned art projects.  If you have a Neon Art or Stained Glass project (repairs included) that you'd like completed by his gifted team, just call 712-580-5035 or email us.

Louis "Tony" Curiel graduated from Cal State University in Fullerton, California in 1974 with a B.A. in Art Education.

From 1974 to 1990 he maintained both a working studio and a network of customers. He also taught for different arts organizations and promoted the “glass arts” throughout the country.

From 1990 to 2003 he was an instructor at Ford Motor Company and General Motors. He traveled to sites throughout the Mid-west teaching both principles of illuminated gases and leaded glass construction. This included the alliance with the Glass Academy, Dearborn, who is associated with the University of Michigan, Dearborn.

From 2003 to present he has been the CRVA Director, coordinating activities at the campus through the different and diverse curriculum of his “ideology” of education through the visual arts.

His notable achievements include:

  • Restoration of Archbishop Bergen Mansion, Omaha, Nebraska, 1975
  • Iowa Arts Council Residency; Iowa School for the Deaf in 1976
  • FM Hall Collection, Purchase Award, 1978.
  • 1st Art Glass Manufacturer of sheet art glass used later by the Bogenrief Studios
  • Antiquarium Glass Mural Project, Omaha, Nebraska, Completed in 1981
  • Designer of Art Glass, Riekes Crisa Corporation
  • Neon and Art Glass Studio, Plymouth, Michigan, 1990-2003, teaching for both Ford Motor, Company and General Motors employees “illuminated gases” and “leaded glass construction," for the ETAP program(s) -- (Educational Training Program). This included an alliance with the Glass Academy, Dearborn, who is associated with the University of Michigan, Dearborn. 
  • Construction of the Bogenrief Studios, Spencer, Iowa of their “hot shop” in Spencer, Iowa.
  • Currently finishing a project for a neon work of art for the Sami Bedell Center for Performing Arts in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The artwork is being installed on the mezzanine ceiling -- it is hung approximately 50' high upon the underside of that ceiling.
 
 

Louis "Tony" Curiel

World-Renown Glass Artist

 

Louis Tony Curiel, Director of the Curiel Reynols School of Visual Arts in Spencer, IA. Tony Curiel heating neon tube getting it ready to bend into a desired shape for the third of six neon figures that will become a permanent neon work of art creating at the Sami Bedell Center for the Performing Arts on the mezzanine ceiling that is hung approximately 50' high upon the underside of that ceiling.
Tony Curiel has created a number of Neon pieces for public art. Curiel, and his professional team of artists, are working  to complete the project titled "Of Entertainment and Dance."

Phase One -- 3 figures that represent famous musicians of Jazz and Blues -- is finished. The team is working now  to complete Phase Two -- 3 figures representing Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance.

Curiel is designing and creating an archway for the auditorium entrance for the Sami Performing Arts Center Tony Curiel's neon team work closely with him on projects for large auditoriums.  This "one of a kind" installation will be available for the public experience as it will act as a "lighting source" for interior of Sami Center.

Sami Center -- Phase I Completed
fine art produced by Louis Tony Curiel Over the years, Curiel's glass art has taken many forms and shapes. 
Fine art glass vessels created by Louis Tony Curiel For many years his glass art was created in a "hot shop."  Today, in 2009, he focuses more on teaching and sharing his wealth of knowledge on the various glass arts.  He also consults on the development and creation of glass "hot shops" for other artists.
Curiel Studio in Omaha, Nebraska Curiel owned and operated two glass studios (one in Omaha and one in Detroit) before making the decision to spend more of his time engaged in teaching. 

The years he spent as an instructor for Ford Motor Company sparked his desire to eventually become the founder of an outstanding Visual Arts school that is dedicated to its students.

Today, he continues to commission work, but is living his dream of passing his knowledge and skills on to others. 

Louis "Tony" Curiel, world renowned glass artist, in Nov of 1983Louis "Tony" Curiel, Nov 1, 1983.

"Louis Curiel, world renowned glass artist, will be toasted by Riekes Crystal at the Premiere Exhibition of the Riekes Studio Art Collection, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York City, 6 pm to 8 pm on November 7th, 1983.  The artist will display his handblown limited-edition designer plates, vases, paperweights, wall art, suspension plates and scent bottles."  ~ Fran Wollack, Fran Wollack & Associates for Rikes Crystal

The art of Louis Curiel, celebrated glass artist

"The art of Louis Curiel, celebrated glass artist, will be displayed by Riekes Crystal at the Premiere Exhibition of the Riekes Studio Art Collection, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York City, 6 pm to 8 pm on November 7th, 1983.  Highly collectable in the 1980s, Curiel's lauded handblown glass art is found in the prized collections of both private and corporate collectors, public galleries and museums throughout the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe.  Shown here, limited-edition designer plates, vases and paperweights made by Curiel at his Glass Studio in Omaha, NB."  ~ Fran Wollack, Fran Wollack & Associates for Riekes Crystal

Glass vase created by Louis Curiel in the mid 1970s

 

 

 

This is an example of Louis "Tony" Curiel's glass art from the mid-1970s. 

 

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