Toland Sand is a celebrated glass artist renowned for his innovative use of dichroic glass and polished crystal. His work blends simplicity and elegance with intricate internal complexity, often described as “architecture for consciousness,” where the viewer’s attention becomes integral to the piece. Sand’s artistic vision is informed by both natural and architectural forms, drawing particular inspiration from his formative years in California and Greece, where he was surrounded by dramatic coastlines, ancient monuments, and classical sculpture.

Born in Berkeley in 1949, Sand spent part of his adolescence in Athens before earning a Philosophy degree from Colorado College in 1971. He began his glass career in 1976, taking over a small stained glass business, and gradually transitioned to glassblowing and constructed glass sculpture. Largely self-taught, he established studios in rural New Hampshire and Carmel Valley, California, where he continues to create his distinctive works.

Sand’s pieces explore the interplay of interior and exterior spaces and have earned him numerous accolades, including the Art in Public Spaces Award and a nomination for New Hampshire’s Living Treasure Governor’s Award. He has participated in the Venice Biennale and completed commissions for prominent clients such as IBM, Verizon, and Coca-Cola. His works are held in private and public collections worldwide.

Residing in New Hampshire with his wife, Debbe Palmer, Sand splits his life between his studios and his California retreat. Through technical mastery and visionary artistry, Toland Sand continues to push the boundaries of contemporary glass art, captivating collectors and audiences around the globe.