We invite you to explore our world of glass featuring pieces by Ignite’s resident artists and our visiting artists. Original pieces of art surround you in stunning colors and curious shapes in our gallery where you will encounter patterns and structures that uniquely distinguish our work. Step outside to see our garden glass sculptures nestled among the trees that twist into whimsical and serene shapes contrasting our industrial surroundings in the shadow of the Chicago skyline.
Our current gallery is open Monday-Wednesday 11am-4pm, Thursday 12pm-7pm and Friday 11am-4pm. If you would like to inquire about a custom order or commissioned work of art, please click here.
Gallery Artists
Ben Tullman
Creative Director/Founder
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. The focus of his artwork is taking traditional techniques, pushing the limits of scale and developing new techniques through experimentation.
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.”
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.”
Charles Matz
Charlie Matz (BA Photojournalism ‘16, Columbia College Chicago) is a glass artist and photographer born and raised in Chicago’s South Loop. Nearly 10 years of experience in both Flameworking and furnace formed glass has given Charlie the ability to create finely detailed sculptural and functional art. A natural affinity for various crafts like metal smithing, photography and drawing since age 10 have allowed for the successful combination of multiple mediums with his glass art.
Charlie’s recent work has been mainly focused on hollow sculpted organisms that are filled with neon and other research grade noble gases under vacuum and lit via electric or electromagnetic means.
Charlie’s recent work has been mainly focused on hollow sculpted organisms that are filled with neon and other research grade noble gases under vacuum and lit via electric or electromagnetic means.
Eleanor Harvey
Eleanor Victoria Harvey joined the Ignite Glass Studios team in 2019. She received her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Anthropology in 2018 from Illinois State University . While her main focus is glass blowing, she also enjoys painting and drawing. Eleanor’s work is inspired by color, pattern, organic shapes/symbols from nature, and influenced by culture, and society - most often displayed through figural forms. She is a maker of functional objects, as well as aesthetic and conceptual art. Eleanor enjoys learning new techniques, collaborating with other artists and sharing her love for glass through teaching classes.
Joe Waropay
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.
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.
Visiting and Guest Artists
Ignite hosts several visiting and guests artists each year through various residencies, collaborations, events, and fundraisers. Our gallery currently displays pieces from Davide Salvadore, Nancy Callan, Martin Janecky, Grant Garmezy, Robin & Julia Rogers, Jaime Guerrero, and more. Click below to view the current visiting works we have for sale.