Ben Tullman
Co-Founder & Creative Director | @btullman
Ben Tullman is one of the founders of Ignite Glass Studios and is the Creative Director and Studio Manager. He first encountered glass at age 12 making glass beads. Over the past 16 years, Ben has honed his skillset studying with master glass artists such as Davide Salvadore, Karen Willenbrink-Johnson and Martin Janecky.
In his words, “I love the inherent unpredictability and mystery of glass. You have to be adaptive and flexible to work with it because it has a life of its own. Every time you work with glass it challenges you and gives you new opportunities to learn and grow.”
Arvin Makhsous
Director of Design & Operations | @overkillarvin_glass
Arvin Makhsous is a multitalented artist in several mediums, including music, film, painting, sculpture, and glass. Arvin started his career in glass during his senior year of high school, doing mosaic, fusing, and flame working projects. Upon discovering his passion for glass art, he was introduced to a young Ignite Glass Studios by his peers. Shortly after, he started an apprenticeship under lead Ignite artist Ben Tullman, who trained him specifically in Italian techniques and larger scale blown glass art.
Arvin enjoys exploring new forms through creating abstract three-dimensional vessels and flat fusings through the use of murrine and canes. He also enjoys putting together large installations that require multiple components.
Amelia Carroll
Director of Creative Operations & Sales
With over 10 years of sales experience and a background in arts administration, events, and creative production, Amelia brings a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective to her work. She joined the Ignite team first as Gallery & Event Specialist, and now as Director of Creative Operations & Sales.
Trained as a writer, visual artist and dancer, her approach is deeply rooted in creative thinking, collaboration, and clear communication. With experience spanning weddings, corporate events, performance productions, and gallery programming, she is consistently focused on translating each client’s vision into thoughtful, well-executed experiences that feel both intentional and personal.
Joe Waropay
Director of Education | @jopay_art
Joe Waropay joined the Ignite team in 2013 and is a resident artist and instructor at the studio. Waropay, also serves as the lead Education instructor for Ignite, developing and implementing glassblowing programs and STEM learning opportunities for all ages in Chicago. In addition to his glassblowing skills, his capacity in sculpture and alternative materials have brought a new dynamic to Ignite. Waropay’s artwork reflects themes of Growth and Development and Memories into glass and mixed media conceptual sculpture.
Joe was born and raised in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, where he was active in sports throughout his youth. He attended Western Illinois University and the University of South Carolina-Beaufort as a Division-1 baseball player while also majoring in art and developed his passion for glass under John Miller at Illinois State University.
Charlie Matz
Senior Artist & Hot Shop Technician | @matzglass
Charles Matz is a flameworker and furnace glassblower with 10 years of experience. His work ranges from small, intricate jewelry and functional objects to large scale blown sculpture and scientific glass. He has played an integral role in the design and creation of numerous Ignite Glass products and custom commission works.
Charlie’s work has been on exhibit at events like Chicago’s SOFA Expo and the Glass Art Society conference in Murano, Italy. His sculptural sea creature wine decanters have been featured in the Design MEXICO Magazine and can be seen at fine dining restaurants around the world. Charlie has also designed many service pieces for Michelin star restaurants in Chicago like Alinea, NEXT, and Esmé.
Alan Robles
Artist, Instructor & Venue Liaison | @alanrobles97
Eleanor Harvey
Artist & Instructor | @eleanorblowss
Eleanor Victoria Harvey is a Chicago native who joined the Ignite Glass Studios team in 2019 as a studio artist and glass instructor. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Anthropology in 2018 from Illinois State University.
Eleanor is predominantly a glass artist (blown, fused, and flameworked glass) but also enjoys painting, drawing, printmaking and ceramics. She makes both functional and conceptual art and is interested in color, pattern, and figurative forms. Eleanor is also inspired by upcycled/recycled art and she utilizes a lot of scrap glass, glass trimmings, and broken pieces, especially in her fusings. Eleanor enjoys learning new techniques, collaborating with other artists and sharing her love for glass through teaching classes.
Jack Basso
Artist, Instructor & Venue Liaison | @jack_basso_glasso
Freddy McClanahan
Artist & Instructor | @freddymelts
Joe Wallander
Artist | @wallander_glass
Joseph Wallander, a graduate of Illinois State University, initially pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology before discovering his passion for glass blowing during his final year. Since graduating, he has immersed himself in flame working, dedicating his creative energy to the craft since 2015.
His captivating works adorn shelves and walls across the nation, particularly in the Midwest. Specializing in pendants, marbles, pipes, sculptures, and vessels, Joseph draws inspiration from the natural world and the ever-changing palette of the seasons. His artistic vision is centered on crafting pieces that embody simplicity, elegance, and ergonomic design, motivating him to continually innovate and create.