Visiting Artists
Please read below to view our visiting artists, who come from all over the world to showcase there skills in glassblowing Laura Donefer
More Information To Come!Davide Salvadore
Davide Salvadore began working with glass as a child in Murano, Italy. Descending from a family of glassworkers, he has always lived and worked on the island and learned from his grandfather, Antonio, how to build kilns and work furnace glass. Davide has demonstrated his art and passion all over the world through performances and workshops. We were honored to have him and his team here at Ignite Glass Studios to create a very special commission for one of Chicago’s favorite glass collectors. Watch him at work here.Chuck Savoie
Chuck Savoie was invited to demonstrate one of his technically marvelous Zanfirico cane goblets by the Midwest Contemporary Glass Art Group in Ignite’s hot shop. Mr. Savoie works with glass and color that he formulates from scratch at his studio in Ripon, WI and has been making glass for over 30 years. It was an honor to have him at Ignite—we learned so much from him!Fritz Dreisbach
Fritz lives and makes glass as an independent artist in Freeland, Washington. He continues making his singular show pieces, the “Mongos,” as well as his playful goblets, carved & cut glasses, trick glasses, and vehicles while teaching workshops and short classes all over the world. For 46 years Fritz, titled “the Johnny Appleseed of Glass,” has presented hundreds of lectures and demonstrations in North America, Europe and Asia. His glass is represented in dozens of global collections, including those of Corning; Kamenicky Senov, CZ; Hsinchu, Taiwan; Beuningen, Netherlands; Smithsonian, DC and Toledo,…all the usual suspects!”Martin Janecky
Martin began his career with glass at the age of 13 and later explored sculpting methods in the Czech Republic. By the time he was 20, he was employed by leading artists and designers around the world to assist and to execute specific works. Janecky has served as an instructor, visiting artist, and gaffer at several glassmaking schools, including The Studio, Penland School of Crafts, and Pilchuck Glass School.
Annual Programs
FEBRUARY
Valentine's Date Nights
Join Ignite Glass Studios in celebrating the day of love with a special glassblowing experience for two.Ignite will open its Hot Shop after-hours for a very special glass heart workshop for couples. Each couple will work alongside one of Ignite’s artists to collaborate in creating a single glass heart of their own design. Each glassblowing experience will last approximately 30 minutes, however couples are encouraged to arrive a bit early or stay beyond their scheduled time frame, to socialize with other couples and enjoy complimentary sparkling wine and chocolates.$105 per couple.
*Takes Place all of February
OCTOBER
Fall Festival of Glass
October 13/14Join us in celebration of Chicago's architecture and the arrival of the Autumn!
We have once again been selected as one of the locations for the Chicago Architecture Foundation's yearly event, Open House Chicago! This Event provides behind-the-scenes access to many of Chicago's most unique architectural spaces
Included is: - Free glassblowing and lamp working demonstrations - Make your own pumpkin( 30 min. sessions) - $75/person - Glass pumpkimn patch sale- over 500 pumpkins and other falll themed glass art to choose from!
NOVEMBER
Glassblowers Ball
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