Tom Balbo has spent most of his life in and around Cleveland, Ohio. His earliest work was primarily in ceramics and printmaking. As his interest in papermaking grew, his work turned towards expressing his artistic creativity in this area. Over the past 40 years, Balbo's work has been exhibited and shown in a large number of shows and galleries, and he has garnered numerous awards and critical attention for his artwork. In 2008, Balbo founded The Morgan Art of Paper Conservatory and Educational Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio along with other local artists. He continue to work in paper, printmaking, and ceramics and divides his time between creating in his studio and as the Artistic Director at the Morgan Conservatory.