Brooke Forrest White Jr. is an American glass artist and the owner and operator of Flame Run, a contemporary glassblowing studio and gallery in Louisville, Kentucky. Originally from Owensboro, Kentucky, White discovered his passion for glass art while attending Centre College in Danville, where he studied government and played soccer. An elective hot glass course taught by renowned glass artist Stephen Rolfe Powell introduced him to the art of glassblowing and inspired him to pursue it as a career. After graduating, White continued developing his skills through apprenticeships and hands-on experience working alongside established glass artists.
In 1995, White founded his first glassblowing studio, Glassbrook, LLC, in Danville, Kentucky. He later moved to Louisville, where he helped establish the Louisville Glassworks facility before co-founding Flame Run Hot Glass Studio and Gallery in 2004. His goal was to create a space where artists could produce and exhibit their work while introducing the public to the creative process behind glassblowing. Through Flame Run, he has helped strengthen Kentucky’s glass art community by providing opportunities for artists, students, collectors, and visitors to experience the medium firsthand.
White’s artwork is recognized for its vibrant colors, energetic forms, and expressive patterns. He views glassblowing as a physical and emotional process, using the intense heat, movement, and teamwork involved in shaping molten glass to communicate energy and vitality. His use of color and surface design reflects his moods, thoughts, and personal experiences. His work includes sculptural glass pieces, vessels, lighting, chandeliers, wall sculptures, and large-scale architectural installations for private residences, businesses, and public spaces.
Throughout his career, White has received numerous honors, including the Kentucky Arts Council’s Al Smith Fellowship in 1998, the Owensboro Mayor’s Award of Excellence in 2001, and the Distinguished Young Alumnus Award from Centre College in 2003. His work has been exhibited at institutions including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Huntington Museum of Art in West Virginia, and the Asheville Art Museum in North Carolina. In 2010, he also served as a co-chair for the Glass Art Society’s 40th annual conference in Louisville, helping bring international attention to the region’s glass art community.
Through his artistic practice and leadership at Flame Run, White continues to demonstrate the creative possibilities of glass as a medium. His work combines technical skill, bold color, and expressive movement, transforming a delicate material into striking works of art. His dedication to both creating glass art and sharing the process with others has made him an important contributor to Kentucky’s contemporary glass art scene.
