Born in the lake area of central Michigan, Allen has devoted himself to the field of glass artistry. Since 1978, he has experimented with many unique areas of glass: cold glass, fusion, slumping, glass casting and blown glass. His unique adventures in glass sculpture deal with current social and personal issues. His blown glass work has an organic style of exploration and presentation. Allen's stained glass is shown in private residences, restaurants, bars, churches and synagogues.
Allen entered glass blowing by apprenticing with a Georgia glass blower and advanced his knowledge by taking classes at the Penland School of Crafts. Areas of concentration included: glass decorating with Billy Bernstein, expansion of the traditional form in glass blowing and new techniques in contemporary glass casting and mold making. Allen also enjoys the problem solving and technical aspects of setting up a glassblowing studio. He has built or assisted in building and setting up five glassblowing studios.
This interest became an important asset when Silver Dollar City came to Atlanta. Allen's knowledge and experience led him to Stone Mountain Park, where he worked with administration and craftsmen to develop and set up the glassblowing studio in Crossroads. He currently holds the position of Master Glassblower. He enjoys the fun times demonstrating glass blowing and meeting the visitors to Crossroads.
He currently shows his work in 175 shops and galleries in Canada, the United States and South America. Allen has a private studio in Monroe, Georgia, where he produces sculpture, one-of-a-kind blown glass art pieces and a line of wholesale blown glass work which includes custom blown glass lighting.