Callahan Campbell McVay was born in Aberdeen, WA in 1974 to an artistic family of wood carvers. He began creating chainsaw woodcarvings from the age of five, carving at state fairs where he was paid for his art pieces. He attended an alternative high school in Everett, WA where he explored working with stained glass. At the age of fourteen he discovered that he had a special talent for creating glass blown art and studied in the Dick Marquis Studio with John Legett. The artist later studied at The Pilchuck Glass School, located in Stanwood, WA and The Pratt Fine Art Center in Seattle, WA. Absorbing perspectives of color, form and technique, the artist traveled internationally, studying in glass studios throughout the world. Upon returning to Whidbey Island, WA Callahan further developed his skills training with several glass artists and by the year 2000 had created a home studio in Clinton. By 2005 the artist was at one time represented by 150 galleries within the United States. As evident within his luminous glass objects, the artist is inspired by the living world, by light and by color. Callahan has been sought after for both private and corporate commission work including The Seattle Space Needle Gift Shop, Alstrom, The Celebrity Home Shopping Network and Skinner and Sarr Law Firm to name a few.
As the demand for Callahan’s glass art grew the artist saw need for a larger studio where he could also offer the glass blowing experience to students and visitors to the island. In July of 2009 the artist opened his glass blowing studio and gallery at the former fire station located at 179 Second Street in Langley, WA. He retained the firehouse name calling his studio and gallery, Callahan’s Firehouse Studio. With over 3,000 square feet of space the artist has found a place where he can design, produce and deliver his art all within the same location.