Custom broken glass art portraits, handmade in Baltimore

Each portrait is drawn in fractured glass by hand, one piece at a time. Pricing starts at $1,000 and up, and we take commissions on a limited basis. See more of our project gallery.

Baltimore Glass Company, serving Baltimore since 1928

What is broken glass art?

Broken glass art is a portrait built from controlled fractures in glass. Instead of paint or ink, the cracks draw the face, and light catching each fracture line brings the subject out of the dark. Baltimore Glass Company makes each piece by hand, usually framed, as a commission, a gift or a charity piece.

Custom broken glass art portrait of a man in a black frame, handcrafted in Baltimore, MD

Most glass experts avoid breaking glass. Dillon builds with it.

Breaking glass on purpose takes control and patience. Baltimore Glass Company has worked with glass in this city since 1928. Read more about the shop and its history.

Every portrait takes roughly five to seven hours of hands-on work. Dillon works in stretches, then comes back the next day with fresh eyes to catch what he missed. Nobody else in Baltimore's glass trade is making this, and every piece leaves the shop only when he is satisfied with it.

Select any piece to open it full size. Every portrait is a one-off, made to the subject, the frame and the wall it will hang on. Want to see our shower, mirror and storefront work too? Visit the full project gallery.

Broken glass art portrait in an ornate gold frame, custom commission by Baltimore Glass Company
Shattered glass portrait art with a man's face etched in fine cracks on dark glass
Antique gold framed shattered glass art portrait with a face formed from a fine crackle pattern
Broken glass art portraits showing faces formed from fine fractures in glass, Baltimore, MD
Handcrafted broken glass portrait in a carved gold frame, custom glass art made in Baltimore, MD
Broken glass art face emerging from fine cracks on black glass, handmade by Baltimore Glass Company
Custom glass art portrait in a black shadow box frame, a face traced in fractured glass
Framed custom broken glass art portrait on display at a charity auction event

Made to be given away

A large share of Dillon's portraits never hang in his own shop. He donates many to nonprofits and auctions others at charity events, where individual pieces have sold for $3,000 to $4,000.

Broken glass art is how Baltimore Glass Company shows up for the community, from nonprofit fundraisers to healthcare screening efforts. Planning an event? Tell us about it. Availability is limited, and Dillon reviews every request himself.

Commission a piece

Portraits

A single framed portrait of a person, a family member or a tribute. Pricing starts at $1,000 and up, with the final price set by size, framing and detail. Browse past projects for ideas.

Gifts and milestones

A one-of-a-kind piece for a retirement, a memorial, an anniversary or a win worth remembering. Tell us the date you need it and we will confirm what is possible.

Glass art walls

Full-scale broken glass art for homes, offices and venues, planned by consultation around the space it will fill. For office fronts and dividers, see our glass partitions.

  1. Tell us about the piece

    Who or what it shows, the size you have in mind and where it will hang.

  2. Confirm scope and timeline

    We confirm pricing, framing and a schedule once we understand the subject and the setting.

  3. Built by hand

    Dillon builds the portrait in stretches over several days, then checks every detail before it leaves the shop.

The shop behind the art

The same Remington Avenue shop has cut, measured and installed glass for Baltimore homes and businesses since 1928. Explore everything on our services page.

Broken glass art questions

What is broken glass art?

Broken glass art is a portrait built from controlled fractures in glass. Instead of paint or ink, the cracks draw the face, and light catching each fracture line brings the subject out of the dark. Baltimore Glass Company makes each piece by hand, usually framed, as a commission, gift or charity piece.

How much does a custom broken glass art portrait cost?

Pricing starts at $1,000 and goes up from there, depending on size, framing and complexity. Each piece is handmade, so Dillon confirms pricing and timeline after he hears about the subject and where the piece will hang.

How long does a broken glass art portrait take to make?

Each portrait takes roughly five to seven hours of hands-on work. Dillon works in stretches and returns the next day to check the details, so the piece takes several days from start to finish. Ask for a timeline when you inquire.

Can I commission a portrait as a gift or tribute?

Yes. Gifts and tributes are a natural fit. Send a clear photo of the subject, the size you have in mind and the date you need it. Dillon will confirm what is possible and what it will cost.

Can you create a piece for our nonprofit or charity auction?

Dillon donates pieces to nonprofits and auctions others at charity events, so tell us about your event. Availability is limited, and each request is reviewed individually.

Do you make larger broken glass art walls?

Yes. Full-scale broken glass art walls for homes, offices and venues are available by consultation. Call (443) 443-5585 to talk through the space.

Start a commission

Call the shop or send the form with a photo of the subject, the size you have in mind and the date you need the piece. Prefer the standard form? Use our contact page.

Baltimore Glass Company

2930 Remington Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211

Hours

Monday to Friday
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Serving

Baltimore, Towson, Owings Mills, Cockeysville, Dundalk and Annapolis