We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sue Regis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sue below.

Sue, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

I have been working with glass for 25 years. Every year, I make holiday ornaments and sell them at my studio, Sue Regis Glass Art in downtown Joliet, IL. I have done this for so many years that my ornaments have become a staple in the community, as well as a yearly family tradition for many. 2022 was a different year. In January, I had major abdominal surgery to treat endometriosis. In July, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In August, I had a double mastectomy. As a result of my health issues, I was unable to work on the torch for a large part of 2022. This year, more than 50 artists donated handmade ornaments of all different mediums so I could still have a holiday season at my glass studio. This was a huge effort supported by The Strange and Unusual Gallery and The Art Movement, Inc., both located in downtown Joliet, IL. Not only did this help me and my studio financially, I was able to connect with the community again, keep my studio open and continue the family traditions of my customers. Being physically unable to work with glass due to my health issues has separated me from what keeps me going, and this act of kindness was overwhelming, personally inspiring and uplifting. In addition, it hasn’t been just this one act of kindness. The Joliet, IL community, fellow artists, and my customers started a go-fund-me to help with my studio and health expenses. Chicago Street Pub and Music in downtown Joliet, IL hosted a fundraiser where local musicians, The Kelsey Montanez Band from Chicago, IL and The Big Lagniappe from Joliet, IL, performed. Also, multiple local businesses and artists donated raffle prizes and gave of their time to run the event. Local artist, Angelica Cristal, created “Fight Like Sue” digital artwork for a t-shirt, hoodie and sticker fundraiser initiated by my family. So, without a doubt, all of these gestures have been the kindest things that anyone has ever done for me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I started working with glass in 1996, at 17 years old. During a class at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL, my instructor, Beverly Deckman, introduced me to the medium. As a self-taught flameworker, I have been the sole proprietor of Sue Regis Glass Art since 2005. My studio is located in the heart of booming downtown Joliet, IL. My speciality glass work is focused around memorial glass art, in which I encase pet or human cremains inside of glass pieces. I also specialize in hosting group events for adults and children. During these events, I offer an opportunity for community members to work alongside me at the torch to create glass pendants. In addition to this, I continue to make glass art pieces that inspire me and holiday ornaments every year.

As an art influencer and an art leader in my community, my footprint expands outside of Sue Regis Glass Art. I conceptualized The Art Movement, Inc, and co-founded the organization with Eryn Blaser in 2017. The Art Movement, Inc. is a non-profit endeavor igniting the arts in Joliet and initiating a cultural renaissance. From 2019-2022, I served as the Commissioner on the City of Joliet Arts Commission, founded in 2019 by Quinn Adamowski. I am proud to serve as the Visual Arts Subcommittee Chair for the Old Joliet Prison Coalition. I put together the Old Joliet Prison Burnt District Artists in 2018, and since then have been successful in the repurposing and historic preservation of one of Illinois’ most admired landmarks – the Old Joliet Prison located on Collins Street. In 2020, Sue Regis Glass Art was honored as an Illinois Maker, the first business from Joliet to earn this distinction by the Illinois Department of Tourism.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I started my business in my parents basement, and slowly built it a step at a time. I put in a lot of hard work, remained consistent in my goals and mission, and worked many other jobs while I was doing it. I was a pizza delivery driver, bartender, and worked on a Little Debbie route among many other odd jobs, all to continue pushing my business forward.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

10 years ago what I thought was most important related to my business, such as how my studio looked or the presentation of my website, turned out to be the things that, for me, weren’t most important at all. Over the years, I let go of this and learned that what is most important is to have a consistent product and to connect with your customers, community and peers. It is my time behind the torch, personal connections, and being polite, present and kind to my customers and peers that took me this far.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.regisglassart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sueregisglass/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sueregisglassart/

Image Credits
http://aliciadiamondphoto.com