Mr. Sibbio (Tom as he prefers to be
called) has spent nearly 30 years of his professional career
as an industrial designer, illustrator, and graphic designer. He has worked
throughout industry as an art director and product development director
for companies like General Dynamics, Motorola, Goodyear,
Intel, IBM, Diebold, McDonnell Douglas, and Bell Textron to
name a few. His experience in the technical arts is
extensive bringing his talents to support many diversified
projects from family coats-of-arms to nuclear
centrifuge.

Born in Akron, Ohio of Italian and German descent, Mr. Sibbio was influenced at a early age to become involved in the arts. His family of experienced artisans first arrived to the United States in the early 1900’s. They included machinist, blacksmiths and craftsmen who learned their trades from countries where craftsmanship excelled. From New York, the families soon migrated to the industrial states of the Midwest and settled in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was there Mr. Sibbio attended the public school system and learned the basic fundamentals that guide him today. He remarks, "An aunt once gave me a book on how to draw cartoons. The book of which I subsequently lost was learning to draw the Disney characters. I loved that book! It inspired me to continue on drawing and ultimately make a living on what I did best." Throughout adolescence he continued to be supported by teachers as well as clergymen to move forward into the arts. He continues, "There was a high school teacher who introduced me to almost every aspect of art including all types of media. I was grateful for this because it soon became the foundation I needed to expand my knowledge and talent. He was very supportive and encouraging throughout my years as his student. It is to him that I am really most grateful."
One of the first positions as a professional artist came in the early 70’s when he started working with a company that specialized in family coats-of-arms. They consisted of hand painted crests using acrylic paints on to walnut plaques. The experience gained during his employment there brought him into the world of heraldry including the gothic era. Painting gargoyles, harpies, crescents, and serpents opened a fascinating world into the surrealistic community. This influence propelled his creative spirit to new horizons. After a number of years there, he acquired work as an Art Director for a local Advertising Agency.
As Mr. Sibbio continued to carry on his trade as a craftsman and designer he continually became inspired and influenced by experiences and environment. At the Agency, he had the opportunity to work with many companies including BBD&O, Ford, Chevrolet, and Buick, handling various accounts for the firm. As a consultant and contractor he traveled the country where he continued his illustration duties for Bell Aerospace, in New Orleans. The experience he attained throughout helped him to acquire a certain element of style. Throughout his career he was able to achieve a standard of excellence and quality that awarded him one of the top technical illustrators in the country.
The corporations that employed Mr. Sibbio throughout the following years as well as the projects he was called upon to support are impressive. They include Goodyear Aerospace, Heavy Lift Airship Program as well as the F-15 project. Also included in his extensive list of corporations is Diebold, the largest manufacturer of banking equipment. Mr. Sibbio had the opportunity to work with many of the Industrial Designers there in support of new product development. The Through-the-Wall Teller Machines or ATM’s was one of the projects he was called upon to assist.
After spending several years working in his hometown, Mr. Sibbio moved to Arizona. He continued to contract his services to the corporate community and began his own company as a consultant of media specialties. As time passed, other opportunities became available to him. He became active within the community and served as a member of the Chambers of Commerce, as well as participated on several committees. Those included the University Committee and The Economic Development Committee for the Tempe Chamber of Commerce. He was instrumental in the design and development of Arizona’s Public Broadcasting Station’s Preferred Member Card, as well as promoting business interest to the local governments.
In 1984 he was recruited by Motorola to work with them as an Art Director. After completing several months with the then Hughes Helicopter company (now Boeing), he proceeded to accept the position and spent eight years in their employment. Their projects allowed him the opportunity to gain additional technical skills, knowledge, and experience. As Art Director and Visual Media Administrator, he acquired many awards and recognitions for his contributions.
It was early in the 90’s that Mr. Sibbio was offered a position with ComputerEasy Int. Inc., in Tempe, Arizona. ComputerEasy was the developer and publisher of FloorPlan Plus 3D, the number one architectural software program of it’s class, in the nation. As Product Development Director, Mr. Sibbio’s achievements were commendable. His responsibilities included Community, Investor, and Customer Relations, as well as Marketing Support, Advertising, and Art direction. He appeared on numerous television shows including PC TV, The Home Computing Show, The TV Food Network and a number of local news broadcasts. He also was instrumental in acquiring from the Arizona Software Association, Product of the Year Award for FloorPlan Plus 3D and a nomination for ComputerEasy’s President and Director as Entrepreneur of the Year. After several years there, the company was sold and Mr. Sibbio began his work as a fine artist and sculptor.
During a business trip to New York in 1996, while eating in a restaurant at Manhattan Island’s Greenwich Village, Mr. Sibbio stumbled upon a style of art that inspired him to move toward new directions. He began to try his hand at sculpting, constructing art pieces from various automobile parts. This seemed to somewhat coincide with the family salvage business. Although his father had passed away months earlier, it was from his remembrance that the first piece evolved, "JOB # ONE".
Mr. Sibbio’s style is fresh and unique. It combines the contemporary with the past. It preserves a "Part" of History and brings forth a tribute to the people, places, and things that once were. The combination of materials that include hand crafted glass, marble, wood, precious gemstones, neon lighting, modern finishing, and assorted automobile parts creates an art form that is extravagant, rich in culture, and pleasing to view. The technique is also unique as he incorporates into every piece, a philosophical view of life’s little rewards. When viewed, the observer finds oneself reminiscing through worlds both old and new. His art will survive into the future preserving history, memories, and delighting spectators for years to come.
All Sculpture Images,
Graphics, Text, Design & Engineering by Sibbio
© 2005 All Rights Reserved
Not to be used in any commercial capacity without express permission
of the Artist