Treg Silkwood was born and raised in the valley of the Yellowstone River in Montana. A creative, outdoorsy, smart and athletic kid, he wanted to do a bit of everything, and he loved working with his hands. In college, he first studied biology, chemistry, anatomy and the rest of the course load required for medical school. He switched gears, though, and transferred to Alfred University in upstate New York to study art.

Alfred University, for Treg, was a revelation. It exposed him to artistic disciplines, techniques and media that he hadn’t even known existed. He concentrated mainly on mixed-media sculptures and cast glass. In 1995, he spent a semester studying at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague. In the Atelier of Glass, he learned cold-working techniques and how to make Czech mold-melted glass. In 1996, Treg graduated from Alfred as the top student of the Art and Design School.

For five years after college, Treg worked producing recreations of Early American Glassware at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan. Greenfield Village is a living and breathing museum of American history and is a part of the Henry Ford Museum. At The Village, Treg refined his glass making technique through endless repetition, critique and revision. His tenure there both refined his craftsmanship and taught him a deep appreciation for the history of glass. It was here that Treg developed his exceptional skill as a gaffer and discovered the value of using blown glass as a vehicle of expression.

Later, after Treg pursued graduate studies with Jack Wax at Illinois State University, he was honored to become one of the first gaffers for the Hot Glass Road Show of the Corning Museum of Glass. He continues to work closely with the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass.

In 2002, Treg relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he and Candace Martin formed Silkwood Glass—a custom, handcrafted glass company.As much as an artist, Treg is also a teacher. He thoroughly enjoys sharing his love and knowledge of glass. He has demonstrated and taught glassblowing across the United States and abroad including at Pilchuck Glass School, the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass, Waterford, Ireland, and Niijima, Japan. He has been a teaching assistant for numerous glass maestros including Elio Quarisa, William Gudenrath, Randy Walker, and Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen. For three years, Treg was a resident artist and teaching assistant at San Jose State University, where he worked closely with Mary White.

Since 2002, Treg has worked as an independent glass artist and instructor in the Bay Area. He holds the positions of Artistic Director and Senior Glass Instructor at the Bay Area Glass Institute, where he is also an active member of the board.

Treg Silkwood ‘Blue Mahoe Driftwood Trio 2024’ Blown Glass 23.5”h x 15”w x 7”d $4850

Treg Silkwood ‘Natural Driftwood Sculpture 2025’ Blown Glass 18”h x 12”w x 4.5”d $4400

Treg Silkwood ‘Smokey Grey Driftwood Trio 2025’ Blown Glass  27”h x 18”w x 9”d $7500

Treg Silkwood ‘Reddish Aurora Driftwood Tower 2025’ Blown Glass  30”h x 7.5”w x 4”d $4600

Treg Silkwood ‘Medium Barnacle Sculpture 2025’ Blown Glass 6”h x 7”w x 6”d $4200

Treg Silkwood ‘Large Barnacle Sculpture 2025’ Blown Glass 6.5”h x 9”w x 7”d $4600