At the height of a remarkable career, Dante Marioni stands among the world’s most respected glass artists—a master whose command of Venetian techniques and relentless pursuit of excellence have helped define the modern studio glass movement. For decades, his life has revolved around the furnace, where discipline, instinct, and creativity come together in a process refined over a lifetime.

Then, everything changes.

A devastating arm injury forces Dante away from the work that has defined him. Soon after, he loses his longtime friend and mentor, Benjamin Moore, one of the pioneering figures of the American studio glass movement. As he struggles to regain his footing, another unexpected loss follows when his trusted assistant of more than thirty years leaves, ending a creative partnership built over decades.

For the first time in his career, Dante must confront questions that reach far beyond glassmaking. Who are we when the work that defines us is suddenly taken away? How do we move forward when the people we’ve depended on are no longer beside us?

With extraordinary access to Dante’s studio and creative process, Being Centered follows an artist through one of the most vulnerable chapters of his life. As he slowly rebuilds his confidence, embraces a new creative partnership, and rediscovers the joy of making, Dante discovers that the greatest challenge is not mastering the glass—but finding his center again.

More than a portrait of one of the world’s great artists, Being Centered is a deeply human story about resilience, mentorship, and the lifelong search for balance when life changes everything.