Travis Wigger: From Apprentice, to Master of the Snodgrass Style
Travis Wigger’s journey into glassblowing began in the early 1990s amid the vibrant Grateful Dead lot scene that fueled so much of the heady glass movement. Drawn to the creative energy and functional art emerging from that counterculture world, he apprenticed directly under Bob Snodgrass—the godfather of borosilicate pipe-making—in Eugene, Oregon, starting in 1991. What started as hands-on learning quickly became a lifelong dedication, as Wigger absorbed the torch skills, precision, and artistic vision that would define his career. This foundational period transformed him from an enthusiast into a skilled artisan committed to elevating glass from simple tools into collectible heirlooms.
Wigger’s involvement with Snodgrass runs deep as one of the original apprentices and a core member of the renowned Snodgrass Family Glass collective. Over more than three decades of close collaboration, he contributed to groundbreaking pieces, including early collaborative dragons from the mid-1990s, while helping refine techniques that kept the lineage alive and evolving. The collective, which includes Snodgrass’s direct family and longtime associates, preserves a shared ethos of innovation rooted in the Grateful Dead touring culture. Wigger’s work carries that torch literally and figuratively, maintaining the family’s emphasis on quality, storytelling, and community that made Snodgrass pipes legendary on lots across America.
At the heart of Wigger’s art is the classic Snodgrass style: intricate fumed borosilicate glass that shifts colors dramatically with heat and light thanks to silver and 24k gold vapors, combined with embedded millie and cane work for mesmerizing internal patterns. Wigger has not only preserved these techniques but elevated them through flawless execution—achieving deeper, more vibrant color changes, UV-reactive elements that glow under blacklight, and seamless integration of sculptural details. His mastery ensures every piece feels alive, transforming from subtle daytime tones to electric blues and purples during use, all while remaining fully functional and durable.
Wigger’s signature contributions shine brightest in his iconic forms, and while staying true to original imagery created by Bob Snodgrass. Wigger’s Top Hat bongs and matching ash-catcher bowls feature skeletal figures in classic top hats—nicknamed “Rough Rider” for their rugged, individualistic spirit—complete with fumed skulls, finger rests, and built-in ash catchers for cleaner sessions. Equally collectible are his Rough Rider dry pipes, with their bold, ergonomic designs and color-shifting fuming. We carry a few of these styles, including the Top Hat hammers, Sherlocks, and Sidecar Pipes. Other standout Travis Wigger pieces include Dead Head–themed bongs adorned with intricate millies and multi-skull fuming, all exemplifying his ability to blend Snodgrass heritage with personal flair.
Today, Travis Wigger remains a cornerstone of the heady glass industry, an OG Snodgrass apprentice whose pieces command respect and high demand among serious collectors. Still based in Eugene, he continues producing limited, signed works that sell quickly through specialty shops, like TakoGlass.com, carrying forward a legacy that spans from the 1970s origins of borosilicate pipes to today’s sophisticated functional art. In an era of mass production, Wigger’s commitment to handmade excellence and cultural authenticity keeps him at the pinnacle—proving that true mastery isn’t just about technique, but about honoring the past while crafting pieces that will be treasured for generations.
Check out our entire collection of Snodgradd Family Glass, including Travis Wigger’s iconic work!
