Sumo Glass Studio is owned by Marty Hook. Marty Hooks background in glass began in 1978 as an art student at the Shasta College in Redding, California. He studied with Cliff Sowder for two years, and then went on to attend the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. There he studied under Marvin Lepofsky for another two years. Later studied with Thomas Tisch on cold glass techniques.
Marty has studied and assisted in demonstration and guest artist projects often. Marty is known for the detail and realistic character of each blown glass shell.
Janet Sweeny joined Marty after she had completed her B.F.A at the California College of Arts & Crafts in 1983, and later she completed the Masters of Fine Arts program in Spacial arts .
Together, Marty and Janet combine their artistic efforts to create unique contemporary vision of nature. Their experience with nature has inspired them to reflect its beauty, peace and wonderment in glass.