Our Team

Joe Waropay joined the Ignite team in 2013 and is a resident artist and instructor at the studio. He is also the lead youth instructor for Ignite's nonprofit partner, Ignition Community Glass, developing and implementing glassblowing programs for under-resourced youth in Chicago. In addition to his glassblowing skills, his capacity in sculpture and printmaking have brought a new dynamic to Ignite. His 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.

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.