JASON CHRISTIAN

Jason Christian is a glass artist living in the Seattle area. He was born in 1976 to a metal fabricator and a cardiac nurse. He became involved in glass art at the age of 21 — starting as a factory charger, slowly developing his glass knowledge through experience. He has worked with a variety of well-known artists in the Seattle community, including Martin Blank, Preston Singletary, James Mongraine, and Nancy Callan. For almost a decade he has been an integral member of Dale Chihuly's boathouse team, collaborating and working with international artists, including Pino Singnoretti. His individual work explores the art of reticello, classical Venetian techniques, and modern simplicity. As of recent, he has been developing art inspired by the works of Fabergé- combining the delicate complexity of reticello with the intricate detailing Fabergé's eggs are known for.

Christian views this series as a tribute to the masters of reticello who came before him. Through interpretations of ancient Venetian glassblowing techniques, mid-century Venini designs, and contemporary color palettes, he creates a juxtaposition of old meets new. His detailed filagree patterns acknowledge the artistry of Burano lace, which dates back to 1528. The egg form is a direct reference to jeweled 18th century Fabergé imperial coronation eggs. In all of his new works, Christian demonstrates his masterful understanding of scale, form, symmetry, and pattern.

Teaching
2019 Penland School of Craft – Ashville, NC
2019 Pittsburgh Glass Center – Pittsburgh, PA
2018 Pratt Fine Arts Center – Seattle, WA
2017 Pilchuck Glass School – Stanwood, WA
2016   Urban Glass – New York, NY
2010-2013  Seattle Glassblowing Studio – Seattle, WA

Demonstrations
2015 Demonstrating Artist –  Eskişehir, Turkey
2015   Demonstrating Artist with Nancy Callan – Duncan McClellan Gallery, St. Petersburg, FL
2010   Demonstrating Artist – Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
2009  Demonstrating Artist – Nuutajärvi Glass Village, Urjala, Finland

Awards
2016   Auction Centerpiece Designer – Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
2010  Auction Centerpiece Designer – Schack Art Center, Everett, WA
2006   Corning Award for Outstanding Student Nominee – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA

Residencies
2019 Artist in Residence – FOCI, Minneapolis, MI
2019 Artist in Residence – Corning Museum of Glass, Corning NY
2019 Artist in Residence – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2019 Craftsperson in Residence – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2018 Craftsperson in Residence – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2016   Artist in Residence – Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA
2016   Craftsperson in Residence – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2015  Craftsperson in Residence – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2015   Artist in Residence – University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
2015  Artist in Residence – University of Wisconsin-Steven's Point, Steven's Point, WI
2014   Craftsperson in Residence – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2008  Artist in Residence – Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA

Professional Experience
2008-Present Gaffer – Chihuly Studio
2014-Present Glassblowing Assistant – Lino Tagliapietra
2014-2016   Fabricator – Lindsey Adelman
2008-2016  Glassblowing Assistant – James Mongrain, Flora Mace, Chad Holliday, Janusz Pozniak, David Walters, Albert Paley, Nancy Callan
1998-2013   Head Gaffer – Seattle Glassblowing Studio
2001-2010  Gaffer – Martin Blank Studio
2002-2008  Mobile Hot Shop Technician – Museum of Glass-Tacoma 
2005-2007   Glassblowing Assistant – Preston Singletary
1998-2006  Gaffer – Robert Jones Design
1999-2000   Gaffer – Glass Eye Studio
1998-2000  Assistant – Totally Blown Glassworks 

Education
2015  Pino Singnoretto – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2011   Jeff Mack – Seattle Glassblowing Studio, Seattle, WA
2010  Janusz Pozniak – Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA
2008   Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen and Jasen Johnsen – Seattle Glassblowing Studio, Seattle, WA
2006  Preston Singletary and Marcus Amermann – Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, WA
2002   Nadege Desgenetez – Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA
2002   Katherine Grey – Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA
2000   Kait Rhoads – Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA

Collections
Hauberg collection
Elton John collection
Ben Bridge collection
Various private collections in the United States and Canada