Jon Watanabe

 

I am a Providence-based artist and designer working in glass, wood, and metals. My primary orientation is towards glassblowing and cold fabrication, which is what I earned my degree in from MassArt. In the years since graduating in 2008, however, I’ve also sought out experience in woodworking and metalworking. I’ve increasingly found that working between these three materials gives me the greatest satisfaction; the studio I am presently building will enable me to incorporate all three materials into my work, and to be in control of every level of the fabrication process.

My business is launching in 2022, so stay tuned.



E D U C A T I O N

2008

BFA Glass

Massachusetts College of Art and Design 

 Boston, MA

Glass and Sculpture



A W A R D S ~ F E L L O W S H I P S

2022

Career Advancement Grant

The Center for Craft

2021

Design Catalyst Program

DESIGNxRI Providence, RI

2008

The Windgate Fellowship, 

The Center for Craft

2008

Fellowship, 

The Ox-Bow School of Art and Artist's Residency

2008

Nominated Outstanding Student Achievement, Contemporary Sculpture, 

The International Sculpture conference

2008

Scholarship for Pilchuck School of glass, Stanwood, Washington, 

Pilchuck School of Glass, Diablo School of Glass, Boston, Ma.

2006

Scholorship, Northlands Creative Glass School Inverness, Scotland, Friends of Glass



E X H I B I T I O N S

2019

“Buoyancy”

group show

World’s Fair Gallery Providence, RI

2013

"Try Again Later" 

Solo show

Gallery Mac650  Middletown, CT

2012

"Match" 

Group

Lap Gallery  Waltham, MA

2011

"30 Boston Artists" 

Curated Group Show

Gallery 200 Wales  Abington, MA

2010

"Collective Expressions" 

Group Show

Gallery 200 Wales  Abington, MA

2009

Friends of Glass group show 

Group Show

Chapell Gallery  New York, NY

2009

"Glasstravaganza" 

Group Show

Tower Gallery  Boston, MA

2009

Boston Glass Artists 

Group Show

Copley Place  Boston, MA

2008

View fullsize Ikebana platform vessel in black. Endless possibilities with these little fellas. Styling and photos by @ohrue
View fullsize Marble deck on this shell pink ikebana style vessel, for your botanical figetry. This is the large size for the adventuresome botanist within you. @ohrue did beautiful work with the styling and photography. DM for orders, a variety of color options a
View fullsize Here is a new series of ikebana inspired vessels with personality. These are comprised of a bubble bowl with flower frog, mounted to a marble slab, sitting atop little half round cork feet. multiple color variations available, DM for purchasing 🌸 🌺
View fullsize Dangle. These baddies are quite the popular gift this season. Cruise into my DM for purchasing info and they’ll be on their way in time for the holidays • Fun fact: the French and Belgian waffle molds that I use to make these are at least
View fullsize I’ll be making another batch of these (wildly affordable/popular/handsome) 19th century French and Belgian waffle press pendants. $20 each or 4 for $70 plus $8 shipping to the 48 states. To order, send shipping details in a DM.
View fullsize Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night shall stay us from the swift completion of voting that embarrassment out of office.
View fullsize These seed propagation vessels are now available for your purchasing/supporting small business pleasures.
View fullsize Little vessel grouping
View fullsize Taking a little fiver with some Friday NRGY over here.
View fullsize Pornucopia solo with air plant.
View fullsize Summer vibes with some satin lacquered pornucopia for your viewing pleasures.
View fullsize Tall vessel in opal blue with leather wrap.
View fullsize This little buddy from last year trying out some dew digs
View fullsize Lately, I’ve been revisiting old forms with leather wraps and such. Here’s an old bisected blown vessel in transparent grey with two handles and a clear solid foot, wrapped in braided brown leather.