About Vivian

Vivian Shimoyama is a glass fusion artist. Her collection of artwork started with her desire to promote the advancement of women and people of color. Vivian designed a glass brooch that is a symbol of breaking barriers … the glass ceiling. The glass ceiling has been known as the invisible barrier that women and people of color bump up against in all walks of life.  Her pins have graced the lapels of prominent women in politics, corporations, and governments. And, her ‘Breakthru…The Glass Ceiling’ pin has been in various publications, and is featured in Madame Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s collection and her book, Read My Pins. 

The Read My Pins book and pin collection have been on a national and international tour. Ms. Shimoyama’s glass ceiling pin has been exhibited at the Smithsonian, The Clinton Presidential Library, New York Museum of Arts and Design, The Mint Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, and Bowers Museum, to name a few. Ms. Shimoyama started with her ‘glass with a cause,’ creating a line of ‘Breakthru…The Glass Ceiling’ jewelry and artwork. She has also created limited and custom edition pieces. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a glass artist, her creations have expanded to creating fused glass artwork pieces, mixed media, and utilizing glass techniques that include painting, pattern bars, frit, glass etching, and more. 

In 2020, she was selected by the New York Museum of Arts and Design as one of the 45 artists that have made significant developments in art jewelry since the mid century: 45 Stories in Jewelry: 1946 to Now  features pieces and jewelry artists in the past eighty years that have broadened the scope and reach of art as a wearable medium. 

Ms. Shimoyama has been honored by the National Association of Women Business Owners, and received the National Women in Business Advocate Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). She is a recognized small business expert and advocate of women and minority owned businesses. She has served as an elected delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business, and appointee to the National Women's Business Council, an independent federal government advisory council that advises the President and U.S. Congress on issues important to women owned businesses.

She lives and her art studio is located in Long Beach, California.