Afro was born on Burano, Italy, a small island off the main Venetian island group. Much quieter and less crowded than other Venetian islands, Murano is quite colorful. It is said that the houses there were painted brilliant colors out of the fishermen’s desire to identify their own houses from far out at sea. Growing up surrounded by a myriad of colors made a great impression on the young Afro. To this day he credits the colors of his childhood home as the inspiration for his creativity with color.

Born of an Italian father and a Greek mother, Afro and his sister grew up in a family of tradesmen. His father, a baker (now retired), and mother still live in his childhood home. But he had glassblowing in his blood — his grandfather and uncle were both glassblowers on the neighboring island of Murano.

Afro’s early plans were not to become the artist he is today. Before beginning his apprenticeship with the legendary artist, Lino Tagliapietra, Afro spent most of his free time on the soccer field. Many of his fondest memories are of the soccer teams of his youth.

After years of working in highly revered glass studios, Afro, with two talented friends, Carlo Tagliapietra and Luca Vidal, opened his own studio. Carlo, a boyhood friend, began as an apprentice at 14 in the studios of Murano. Life as a young artist proved challenging for Carlo so he spent some years as a fisherman, a very traditional occupation for a young man growing up on Burano. Later he joined Afro in the furnaces of Murano. Luca started working in the glass studio of V.M.A. at age 14. After one year he moved to Effetre International, during the time Afro was there as Master. He continued to work there until Afro asked him to join the new studio.

The studio closed in May, 2009. Afro is not currently working with glass.